57 pages • 1 hour read
Musui's Story
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Book Brief
Musui's Story
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1843174
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Edo, Japan • 1800s
1843
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Musui’s Story by Katsu Kokichi, translated by Teruko Craig, is an autobiography of a lower-ranking samurai in the late Edo period. The narrative recounts Katsu's life of rebellion, including multiple escapes from home, financial mismanagement, engagement in illegal activities, and interpersonal conflicts, offering an unembellished depiction of ordinary life and social dynamics in Tokugawa Japan. This book includes content related to interpersonal violence.
Adventurous
Humorous
Informative
Playful
Gritty
Reviews & Readership
1,022 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Musui's Story by Katsu Kokichi, translated by Teruko Craig and illustrated by Hiroshige Utagawa, offers a captivating glimpse into Edo-period Japan. Reviewers appreciate Craig's fluid translation and Utagawa's evocative illustrations. However, some found the narrative's episodic structure disjointed. Overall, the memoir's vivid depiction of a samurai's rebellious life is compelling.
Who Should Read Musui's Story?
Readers who enjoy memoirs filled with adventure, personal anecdotes, and historical insights will find Musui's Story captivating. Similar in appeal to Shōgun by James Clavell and The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu, this autobiography offers a vivid portrayal of samurai life in Tokugawa Japan.
1,022 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
174
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Edo, Japan • 1800s
1843
Adult
18+ years
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