Shōgun
Clavell wrote the most immersive historical novel in English — a thousand-page plunge into feudal Japan that makes you feel like you are living in it.
“It's a saying they have, that a man has a false heart in his mouth for the world to see, another in his breast to show to his special friends and his ...”
Why It Matters
Clavell wrote the most immersive historical novel in English — a thousand-page plunge into feudal Japan that makes you feel like you are living in it. The book introduced Japanese culture — samurai honor, political intrigue, the clash of civilizations — to a massive Western audience. It proved that a historical novel set in a non-Western culture could become a global bestseller.
Notable Quotes
“Karma is the beginning of knowledge. Next is patience. Patience is very important. The strong are the patient ones.”
“To think bad thoughts is really the easiest thing in the world. If you leave your mind to itself it will spiral down into ever-increasing unhappiness.”