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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “I was completely surprised at how much I loved this book. I was ready for a Memoirs of a Geisha knock off, but this is very different. I couldn't put it down at times, which also doesn't seem to fit with the subject matter or tone. I met the author and he spoke with such conviction about his...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “I don't know why, I did not find it interesting, though many of my friends thought it was very good” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“ok”
Alicia D. K wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Very Asian...sort of a Princess Diana story in another culture, one as equally (if not even more) steeped in and bound by tradition. I enjoyed it.”
Annette C wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is a story of a Japanese woman who marries the Crown Prince of Japan. She is not of noble blood, but rather a common woman and must struggle to learn the ways of the palace. It is a time of isolation and emotional hardship as she is separated from her family and left with a demanding and resentful Empress who sees and controls everything.
Patti B wrote this review Tuesday, October 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This book is written from the woman's point of view, almost reading like a journal. There is a lot of description of things done and seen, but not a great deal of dialogue. This might explain why I had a hard "getting into" the story in the beginning. But I found that the more I read, the more I wanted to continue and find out what happens. ”“I don't know why, I did not find it interesting, though many of my friends thought it was very good”
Roberta N wrote this review Saturday, September 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“The book is haunting. It is sad, but not depressing.”
Anita D wrote this review Sunday, August 23 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A good read--I did not feel that the author developed the Empress character as deeply as he could have. By the end of the book I felt that the events and the character development remained static--maybe that was the point with the Japanese monarchy. There is a beautiful quote about life experience and traveling on page 293 that I am going to copy and save. ”
Lauren S wrote this review Saturday, July 25 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“3.5 stars. The book presents some well researched and interesting details about the Japanese Imperial Court. The story of a Japanese Crown Prince finding and marrying his princess is, predictably, not a happy Cinderella one. Rigorous rules, restrictions, and conventions of the traditional Japanese Court stand in the way and in contrast to the modern world of change, progress, and women’s rights. Heroine Haruko’s carefree, active life as a child and young woman ends in isolation and despair as does that of her daughter-in-law. Not bad. ”
avd.reader wrote this review Saturday, July 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“It was an ok summer read but certainly not remarkable.”
Nancy M wrote this review Monday, July 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Wow ... I can not even imagine what life must be life for the royal family of Japan ... out of touch with reality. This is a fascinating (and sad) fiction account of a "commoner" who married the Crown Prince. A look into a life we know nothing about!”
Diane L wrote this review Sunday, July 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“The book definitely portrays a very stylized way of life, allowing the protocol, rituals, customs & traditions to be more powerful than the human beings and their emotions.... The sadness comes thru... ”
Terry Rose M wrote this review Monday, July 13 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
