Princess Masako: Prisoner of the Chrysanthemum Throne

This book must be taken with a grain of salt. While I'm sure Ben Hills gave it his best, it is impossible to know the "whole story" without having talked with the subject of the book herself.

I found the book incredibly boring. The style in which it was written (more conversational than academic), to me is not professional for a serious work. I did not appreciate the likening of Crown Prince Naruhito to wearing a "best in show for champion poulty award" on his wedding day. It feels as though the author is not respectful of the traditions of the Japanese monarchy, or the honors it bestows upon its members.

I give this book two stars for the descriptions of Masako and Naruhito's lives before their engagement and marriage. The rest of the book was very boring and difficult to get through. ( )

Out of all the books I have read, there have been few that have been so boring I couldn't even manage to finish them. In fact I can only think of one such book, this one. ( )

A portrait of Princess Masako, the Harvard- and Oxford-educated woman who sacrificed her career as a diplomat to marry Crown Prince Naruhito, offers a look into the mysterious world of Japan's imperial family.