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A review by jessthebookworm
The Pure Land by Alan Spence
4.0
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.
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.