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Title: Bundori by Laura Joh Rowland ISBN: 0-06-101197-5 Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 03 July, 2001 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (25 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: Samurai intrigue in 17th century Japan
Comment: Bundori is the 2nd installment in Laura Joh Rowland's Sano Ichiro series. Having secured shogun Tsunayoshi's favor in the first book, Sano has been elevated to "sosakan" level, kind of the chief investigator to the court. The main mystery plot involves a killer who is collecting "bundori" war trophies based on a century-old betrayal of the first shogun, Oda Nobunaga.
Sano must find the killer, while avoiding the wrath of the jealous chamberlain Yanagisawa, the allure of the mysterious priestess/ninja Aoi, and a host of uncooperative samurai and citizens.
Strengths:
Throughout the book are colorful descriptions of old Edo (now Tokyo) that give a sense of place. Rowland evokes the five senses, as well as inner senses with respect to atmosphere. I liked that there was action in the city aside from the investigation, such as the riots and resulting fire that burned throughout the latter portion of the book. This gave me the idea that there were other things happening outside the life of Sano. Rowland gives detailed physical descriptions of characters. Her use of history and cultural notes pulls one into the period. I also liked the sexual tension between Sano and Aoi, with love interest possibilities, plus the addition of the loyal Hirata as a sidekick.
Work areas:
The mystery ends up not nearly as compelling as the numerous subplots that surround it. As an antagonist, Yanagisawa basically has no redeeming qualities. There were times when Sano, an educated and intelligent man, acted so thickheaded that I wanted to throttle him. While the sensual details worked, Rowland needs work on showing emotions rather than telling them. There were also instances of someone saying something in Japanese, then translating it themselves into English, such as "Okashii ridiculous." I also can't let slide this gem of dialogue: "Dirty saboteur! Who are you working for, you agent of evil and darkness?"
Still, I enjoyed the period detail and the pacing was gripping, keeping me moving the story. I'm looking forward to watching these characters grow and eager to find out what happens next.
Rating: 5
Summary: A fabulous second entry in the series!
Comment: This is my favorite title in the wonderful Sano Ichiro series, in part because it sets up the pattern for most of the rest of the series: Sano, the born outsider, is thrust into the wildly backstabbing world of the shogun's court; the shogun's puppetmaster chamberlain, Yanagisawa, establishes himself as Sano's adversary in almost every way; a fun romance with a compelling warrior woman (Rowland treats both sex and death in a very non-conventional way in her novels); the addition of Sano's faithful sidekick, Hirata; and, of course, a explosive case for Sano to solve that challenges Sano's convictions and also gives us a window into an aspect of medieval Japanese culture. This mystery actually remains unsolved later in to the novel than is typical in the series, which adds to the pleasure.
Rating: 4
Summary: A great mystery thriller
Comment: Bundori is an intriguing mystery thriller penned by Laura Joh Rowland, and the sequel to Shinju. The story takes place in Edo (now known as Tokyo), Japan in 1689, and centers around a murder investigation involving much more than simply murder. The "Bundori Killer" decapitates his victims and mounts their heads as war trophies for... what? And why? ("Bundori" means "war trophy" in Japanese.)
The rather difficult task of answering these questions falls to Sano Ichiro, the shogun's sosakan-sama (Most Honorable Investigator of Events, Situations, and People). Already a daunting case, Sano's job is made much more difficult by the interference of the second most powerful man in Japan, Chamberlain Yanagisawa. Yanagisawa is jealous of Sano because he saved the shogun's life and feels that he is a threat to his own power. Another unexpected element is thrown into the mix in the form of a female ninja disguised as a shrine maiden working for Yanagisawa against her will. He orders her to sabotage Sano's investigation, but... let's just say things don't go quite as smoothly as Yanagisawa could have hoped for.
As the mystery unfolds, the story and characters only grow more intriguing. As the real murderer isn't revealed until the very end, it makes for a very suspenseful read. Being a fan of pretty much all things Japanese, the frequent use of Japanese terms, greetings, and such was a big turn on. It also provided an interesting look at 17th Century Japanese culture, and the mind frame of the people that made up that culture. The story was crafted beautifully and executed in a very believable manner. Bundori is one of those books that draws you in and keeps you hooked until the very end.
I would gladly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery, but also to anyone who enjoys Japanese culture. Reading Shinju is not necessary to understand and enjoy Bundori, but will give you a better understanding of Sano's character and the events that got him where he is. If you're in the mood for a good mystery thriller with a dash of romance and political intrigue (well, maybe more than a dash of the latter) thrown in, then Bundori is the book you've been looking for!
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Title: Shinju by Laura Joh Rowland ISBN: 0061009504 Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 01 March, 1996 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: The Samurai's Wife by Laura Joh Rowland ISBN: 0312974485 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 15 April, 2001 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: The Concubine's Tattoo by Laura Joh Rowland ISBN: 0312969228 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 15 April, 2000 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Black Lotus by Laura Joh Rowland ISBN: 0312979584 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 15 March, 2002 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: The Pillow Book of Lady Wisteria by Laura Joh Rowland ISBN: 0312983786 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 14 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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