Samurai: Amazon.ca: Shusaku Endo: Books

Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

A historical novel of early contacts between East and West from one of Japan's greatest 20th-century writers.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From Library Journal

In the 17th century, Hasekura and three other low-level samurai are sent to seek trade with Nueva Espa?a (today's Mexico). Accompanied by Father Velasco, a Franciscan missionary and interpreter, they pursue their mission from Nueva Espa?a to Spain. Along the way, they endure not only the hardships of the journey but Velasco's incessant proselytizing. The ambitious priest, who believes that their conversion will gain him the appointment as Bishop of Japan, convinces them that they will succeed only if they convert to Christianity, and reluctantly they agree. Failure, however, is their only reward. After years of wandering, they return to Japan, where they face shame and persecution. Basing his novel on the actual voyage of Hasekura, Endo (Deep River, LJ 2/15/95) masterfully evokes the struggle between the Western individual and the Eastern collective identity and in so doing plumbs the depths of honor, faith, and human endurance. The result is an expansive novel of astonishing power and insight. Strongly recommended for all collections.?Paul Hutchison, Bellefonte, Pa.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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First Sentence
It began to snow. Read the first page

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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover

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Customer Reviews

14 Reviews

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
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Average Customer Review

4.6 out of 5 stars (14 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars excellent, July 7 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Samurai (New Directions Classics) (Paperback)

Great novel. Not as powerful as Silence but still a classic! Endo does an excellent job of showcasing the power of christianity without force feeding it the way a western writer would tend to. This story is very subdued and theres never that huge climax that some may expect, instead Endo carries strong points throughout the entire book. I dont quite understand the reviewer who said you cant learn everything about Japan in this book, was I supposed to?

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5.0 out of 5 stars A Catholic Book -- for all people in all ages, Jan 5 2002

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Daniel L Pratt (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Samurai (New Directions Classics) (Paperback)

This is a fictionalized account of a true event, a Japanese diplomatic expedition to Mexico and eventually to Spain and Rome. The characters are well drawn, and their motivations made clear notwithstanding the considerable cultural differences between their time/place and ours. Not a book you will soon forget -- highly recommended.

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2.0 out of 5 stars Pot Noodle Bushido, Nov 23 2001

By

Captain Cook (Leeward to the Sandwich Islands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Samurai (New Directions Classics) (Paperback)

This novel of a 17th century samurai's odyssey to Europe starts as a very straightforward story and rather continues that way, but towards the end, Endo does get in a few good points. The style is somewhat pedantic and staid, but easy to read. It's certainly not a zen classic and the story never really gets off the ground or totally convinces. The historical backdrops are paper thin and obvious cut-and-pastes from history textbooks. I must admit I am somewhat baffled by all the rave reviews here. I can only conclude that a lot of people who don't really have much experience of Japan, think they've stumbled upon some sort of motherlode of bushido spirit in this conveniantly Westernized piece of writing by a Japanesese Christian. Remember, not every Japanese woman is a geisha, and not every Japanese writer can wield his pen like a samurai's sword.

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars a stark and moving read
The samurai is a thoroughly worthwhile read, set in Japan in the 16th century the plot revolves around the poor peasent Samurai "Hasekura" and how he get's embroiled... Read more

Published on July 18 2001 by Kevin Taylor

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, Profound; Endo's Other Masterpiece.
I found "The Samurai" to be not quite as powerful and stark as "Silence," and the themes are similar--but this novel is more complex and nuanced in its... Read more

Published on Jun 13 2001 by Michael Huang