Very good

A historical novel based on the real character of Thomas Glover, the 'Scottish Samurai'. Part love story part adventure, it follows Glover's life and his contribution to the making of modern Japan. The opening chapter is a real hook, beginning as it does in Nagasaki 1945, before taking the reader back in time to the start of Glover's story in the 1850s and 60s. The final chapters are also superb, bringing together the stories of the various key characters we have met along the way. The last chapter is particularly poignant.

Only three stars from me because sometimes I found the historical references 'dry', reading a little like a chronological list of events and stilting the flow of the narrative. However, for the most part, the novel moves at an adventurous pace, so well worth consideration if you are particularly interested in the history and development of Japan.

Eh. If this book wasn't about an actual famous Aberdonian who ventured to Japan, I wouldn't have finished it. The curiosity about old Aberdeen and even older Japan kept me reading, but that was more personal curiosity. The writing was flat and boring. The women were one dimensional. I know Thomas glover was a real person, but his character was just a Gary Stu in this telling. There was no emotion or feeling, just Thomas sassing his way from one daft move to the next with no real feeling of risk or reward.

All in all, a boring read. I don't even trust the authors historical accuracy.

I didn't realise that this novel was based on a true story, which makes it even more interesting in my eyes.

The story follows Thomas Glover, a young man growing up in Scotland in the 1800s, who gets the opportunity to relocate to Japan. He leaves behind his family and his childhood sweetheart and sets off on the long journey to a very foreign land, a land that is hostile to outsiders.

Glover learns quickly and soon starts to see where there are opportunities to make money, and not always in the most ethical manner. He starts to amass a fortune, all the while playing an imperative role in overthrowing the Japanese political regime at the time.

Glover also develops a taste for Japanese courtesans, and in addition to his fortune, starts to build a family as well.

It is speculated that the story of "Madame Butterfly" is based on Thomas Glover's affair with a Japanese courtesan, and the author presents the novel as though this was true.

After reading this novel I went and Googled Thomas Glover, and he was a key figure in the industrialisation of Japan, becoming a founder of what became the Mitsubishi corporation.

All in all, a very interesting read, and well written. Although I didn't really warm to the main character, as I found him to be a bit dodgy. I guess that no one becomes truly successful by worrying about keeping their hands clean all the time.

I do enjoy stories set in Japan and Spence does give a certain feel for the culture of this country but it seems very much a Westernised view of Japanese culture. At times the story was very disconnected and confusing and Glover often proves a less than reliable character. The attitudes towards Japanese women was pretty typical of the time for a Western man but their attitude towards his taking a Japanese wife seemed very accepting. If you enjoy novels about Japan and it's culture you'd be better reading Murakami or Dalby's novelised biography of Madame Murasaki, the woman who wrote the Japanese classic 'Tales of Genji', or 'Tales of Genji' itself.

If it was possible, there wouldn't be any star at my rating.
I don't think anyone who has read first Shogun by James Clavel or The thousands autumns of Jacob De Zoet can like this Alan Spence's book.
It's is shallow, the main character is boring, and we don't learn anything interesting about Japan.
I gave up reading after 80 pages, and the only thing said about Japan was "they eat rice and fish for breakfast".
A total disappointment.

Very good