Shogunhas been the epic show of the year, premieringto critical acclaimand garnering a whopping 25 Emmy nominations.
(Thankfully, Seasons 2 and 3 are nowin early developmentas a result of its success.)
It’s basically well-researched genre fiction, with an emphasis on entertainment over factual accuracy.
Image by Federico Napoli
But this is precisely their appeal, and they’re bound to like fans of historical fiction.
Here is every book in the series ranked according to its Goodreads rating.
6’Whirlwind' (1986)
Rating: 3.86/5
“Theyre all mad, blinkered!”
The fifth installment in theAsian Sagatakes place against the backdrop of the Iranian Revolution in 1979.
The main characters are members of a British helicopter company caught in the political upheaval.
(A highlight is the poignant love story between pilot Tom Lochart and the captivating Sharazad.)
Another good one involves a KGB agent who strains under pressure.
The locations are also varied and richly realized, from Aberdeen to Tehran to Turkey’s Lake Van.
Commodore Perry’s infamous ‘gunboat diplomacy’ had forced Japan to begin trading.
Where the author stumbles is with some of the characters, who are two-dimensional, even cartoonish.
Their occasionally clunky dialogue and inexplicable behavior can hamper the reader’s suspension of disbelief.
It’s an intense, muscular novel, drawing on classic war adventures.
Prose-wise, Clavell seems to be channeling the lean, economical style ofErnest Hemingwayto varying degrees of success.
As a result, it’s immersive and larger-than-life.
Noble House also received particular praise for its authentic and realistic depiction of Hong Kong.
“My intention is to entertain, perhaps illuminate,” the authorhas said.
“Tai-Panis the prequel toNoble House, set in Hong Kong during the mid-19th century.
Naturally, it proves to be no easy feat.
Tai-Panstands out most with its fascinating historical setting.
This epic chronicles the adventures of John Blackthorne, an English pilot who becomes shipwrecked on the Japanese coast.
Blackthorne is the perfect protagonist for this kind of book as he becomes a stand-in for the audience.
NEXT:Every James Bond Novel by Ian Fleming, Ranked According to Goodreads
