I did not know any of them in the entire book. Only over editing can explain why this book suffered so from a complete literary devolution. There is something about the way this story is written that reflects a mind that is used to cutting the fat and censoring.

In fact it did not surprise me to learn that the author was an editor in the television and motion picture industries and then a pictorial censor in the army later on. It isn't that it is a story about children, don't assume that, it is more about the way it is written. It wouldn't surprise me if that were the case, because if there is any book that suits the title young adult more, it is this book. I have my suspicions that perhaps it was via word of mouth. I am not sure now why I always thought that it was. I researched 47 Ronin and could not actually find anything anywhere that implied it was a young adult book. Then recently, I was looking for a book with an Asian Medieval (or near enough to it) flavour to suggest as a monthly read in my book group. I always thought it was a Young Adult book and avoided it as I only read adult fiction. I have seen 47 Ronin pop up in my friends' reading lists for a couple of years. It is the first half of the first month of 2014 and despite my hopes that this would be a big year for me and my reads, it has kicked off with a real let down. This wasn't a perfect novel, and I think this is a rare case where a film might actually express the story better than a book, but overall I enjoyed it and any student or fan of Japanese history and the Samurai should read it. I think that the rigid, Hemingway-esque tone of the novel captures the philosophy of the Samurai very well, in that regards. However, anyone who's read at least a little about the Samurai, Japanese culture, or seen at least a few old Samurai films from the 50’s and 60’s knows that Samurai culture was all about extreme stoicism with a distinct distaste for over-dramatic expressions. This book is relatively short, and is written in a sparse and minimalist manner that western readers might initially find off-putting. This is a moving but simple story about the popular Japanese tale of the 47 Ronin who avenged their dead master, a historical event that has since become legendary. I think to fully enjoy this novel, one has to have an open mind and realize that this is not written in the traditional western style that historical fiction and fantasy novels often take.

The forty seven ronin story john allyn