11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!, 12 Aug 2004
This review is from: The Forty Seven Ronin Story (Paperback)
This wonderful book is a bit of historical fiction that is based on one of the most famous examples of samurai honor and bravery. In 1702, Naganori Asano-Takuminokami was on a ceremonial visit to Shogun Tsunayoshi, but when he was insulted by a greedy and conceited courtier, Lord Asano struck him with his sword, violating the law, and resulting in his own order to commit ceremonial suicide. With the Asano estates forfeit to the Shogunate, all of his samurai were made masterless samurai or ronin.
Determined to regain their honor through killing the courtier for his role in their master's death, 47 of the ronin bided their time, and struck back at their hated enemy. Though the Shogun was impressed by their devotion to Bushido, as indeed was the entire nation, he had no choice by to give them the most lenient sentence that he could, by allowing them to commit ceremonial suicide. And with that, the 47 ronin passed from this life into legend.
This is a very moving book, and is much better than I had expected. The author does an excellent job of painting Japan as it then existed, and really brings the characters to life. I really enjoyed this great book, this stirring tale of honor, and highly recommend it to you.
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25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable read, 9 April 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: The Forty Seven Ronin Story (Paperback)
I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book . The story as you would guess revolves around the revenge taken by the 47 Ronin of the Asano clan. The book in a whisper is about Lord Asano who is sentanced to death for striking a man who provoked him. As a result of this, his followers are stripped of everything that they own. Later the ronins find out that the man who provoked their Lord is still alive and they seek revenge. The story takes a while to get to the actual revenge, due to that it took them two years to avenge. The facts in the book are very realistic to the real events at the time.
Overall the story is very well written and is suitable for most ages. The book may not be the longest but at 240 pages long, it is still a noble read.
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4 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
dull 14 year old fails english exam, 13 Aug 2003
This review is from: The Forty Seven Ronin Story (Paperback)
dull and poorly written rendering of the exquisite story.
little dialogue or charachterisation..the players motives are explained rather than allowed to emerge....it is ,however,well punctuated and is mercifully brief
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