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Romantic Conversationalist
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 Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 5:41 am
Newberry medal and honor winner Katherine Paterson has written three books, The Master Puppeteer, Of Nightingales that Weep, and The Sign of the Chrysanthemum that take place in historical Japan.
The Master Puppeteer (18th century) takes the reader inside the world of bunraku theatre, or Japanese puppetry. The protagonist, Jiro, leaves home to apprentice himself to the art, but realizes that just because he's safe behind the theatre walls, he can't escape the turmoil on the outside. Like all of Paterson's work, it's well-written and difficult to put down before reading the final sentence. Plus, it takes a detailed look into the serious and incredible art form of bunraku.
In Of Nightingales that Weep (12th century), the orphaned daughter of a samurai has to leave the life she knew and live through hardship, all while retaining her grace and honor as a woman of samurai heritage. In a way, it's kind of like a Japanese version of A Little Princess, with Mary Lennox in Sara Crew's place. The novel is rich with the culture of the time and place, and the girl's (can't remember her name - sorry) struggle is mirrored in the military and political struggles around her.
Finally, The Sign of the Chrysanthemum (12th century), follows the illegitimate child Muna (whose mother tells him he's the son of a great samurai) as he journeys to find his father. It's a wonderful story, but I'm afraid if I go into any further detail, I'll end up spoiling it. Suffice to say that it is also embedded in the geography and politics of 12th century Japan, but it's far from being burdened by dry historical detail.
As a huge fan of children's and young adult literature, these three are about as good as historical fiction gets for me. Has anyone else read any of Paterson's historical fiction?
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Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:49 am
Oh my, yes.
I think I might still have a signed paperback copy of "Nightengales" packed away from my college days.
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