Shogun

This is a new hardcover edition tied to the miniseries and it's beautifully produced, a pleasure to hold and touch--truly splendid as an object in its own right. The author's sense of place and time and the insight into the Japanese characters' minds and lives was hypnotic.

When it comes to historical fiction, especially one set in Asia, James Clavell is the guy to beat (or at least match).

The story of Shogun unfolds in 17th-century, feudal Japan. An undisputedly exotic setting. A British ship is wrecked on its shores, and its stranded navigator must find his way through Japan's complex cultural and political dynamics. Meanwhile there are other Europeans seeking religious influence and commercial advantage.

Perhaps best of all, the characters are monumental and include one of the strongest and most courageous women in literature since Joan of Arc.

I have read everything James Clavell has written.

This book is a story about a British pilot landing in Japan with the intention of breaking up the Portuguese monopoly on trade. He becomes quickly entangled in the country's internal politics and becomes immersed in Japanese culture.

A new film version of the saga is currently on Apple TV and is exceptional. I highly recommend both the book and the mini-series.