Autumn Bridge

To start off, I loved Cloud of Sparrows. Matsuoka is a gifted writer, and it's a shame that he hasn't written more.

When I first started reading this, I was concerned that it wouldn't live up to Cloud of Sparrows, and had a difficult time understanding the book's structure (frequent jumps back and forth between time periods). However, it all began to make sense after about 25% through, and I found myself racing to the finish.

The sheer depth of emotion and description of the flaws of each and every character made the story real. All of the plot holes in Cloud of Sparrows are woven together and answered in ways that were impossible to predict. The reader gets a sense of the rise and fall of the Tokugawa regime, with particular focus on the show more decline and fall of the samurai class.

The complexity and incredible plot development makes this even better than Cloud of Sparrows. Not as much violence as with the first book, but the ending is masterfully crafted. show less

Six years have passed since Okumichi Genji, Great Lord of Akaoka domain, was saved by an American missionary. In the late 1800s, Japan stands on the threshold of change. At the same time, it is fourteenth century Japan, and the Okumichi clan is all but wiped out by a treacherous commander intent on murdering the Okumichi's sorceress ancestor, the Lady Shizuka.

Where to begin about this novel? My summary does it no justice (but then, my summaries never do anything any justice). So I'll just launch into the praise, I think. (And here I pause for breath.)

This book is so beautifully made. It is difficult to create a story that jumps back and forth through time and place that doesn't fall apart on the author. Despite the jumping around, he show more managed to cleverly weave a cohesive story out of so many different threads without it becoming scattered or confusing. At the same time, the prose is beautiful: often understated, yet elaborate at other times. The characterization is vivid and consistent.

I really, really love this book. It is everything a follow-up novel should be. It answered the questions of the first book, created more questions, and answered most of them by the end. While it left a little corner of my heart hoping for more, I'm satisfied enough with the ending to accept that Genji's story is over. Indeed, the novel ended at the PERFECT time and place, in both Genji's story and Shizuka's.

This is an EXCELLENT conclusion (or beginning?) to Matsuoka's Cloud of Sparrows. show less

Wonderful read. The sequel to Cloud of Sparrows in which all becomes clear. It appealed to my sense of order as a librarian, so I really liked all the storylines coming together.

A great weekend read in the sunshine. This book was worth the wait, you need your brain in gear for the leaps in time, but these did make the book much more tense. Faster flowing than the previous book and no real lose ends.

I listened to the audio (abridged) version first. Then I bought the first book (Cloud of Sparrows) read it, then re-read this book (unabridged). I thought both books were wonderful. At this point, I would buy this author's next book without knowing anything about it. He is an amazing author.

wonderful book

I adore this one. If you liked the first one (Cloud of Sparrows), you'll love this one too.