Details
Synopsis
A fourteen-year-old serving boy finds himself surrounded by suspicion and betrayal as his master gathers a group of samurai to avenge Lord Asano's death., Jiro, a samurai's servant, plays a part in the revenge 47 samurai take after their master is murdered.
| Size | | Length: | 226 pages | | Height: | 8.8 in | | Width: | 5.8 in | | Thickness: | 1.0 in | | Weight: | 16.0 oz |
Industry Reviews
Gr 7-12 Jiro, a servant in 18th-century Japan, relates the revenge his master and 46 others take on the man who caused their lord's death. Along the way, Jiro discovers the secret of his parentage and determines what career he is to follow. Haugaard's story is long-winded and tediously slow, with numerous digressions, much philosophizing, and annoying repetition. Despite an introductory preface and list of characters, the book is often confusing. Many terms aren't defined in context, and there is no glossary or pronunciation guide. The bright, intriguing cover and catchy title will probably attract readers, but few will endure past the preliminary chapters. Katherine Paterson does a superior job evoking 18th-century Japan in The Master Puppeteer (Crowell, 1976), which tells of another Jiro, a puppeteer's apprentice, in a gripping, well-written story. For an exciting samurai adventure, use Lensey Namioka's fast-moving series featuring Zenta and Matsuzo, including Island of Ogres (HarperCollins, 1989). Haugaard's The Samurai's Tale (Houghton, 1984), though more subdued than these other titles, is also preferable to his newest offering. Ann W. Moore, Guilderland Public Library, NY
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