Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks - Patrick Radden Keefe ----------------- 4 Stars

This is now the third book I've read (and reviewed) by Patrick Radden Keefe, and I'm realizing I really enjoy his writing style and subjects. I think he's overcome Jon Krakauer as my favorite non-fiction writer (which also makes sense as Krakauer is no longer writing!). Radden Keefe has a new book coming out next year, and there is an older book I need to pick up now as well.

Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks is a collection of some his best essays during the time with the New Yorker. There are about a dozen of them, and I found each of them fascinating. I also found them to each be about a subject that I was vaguely familiar but learned so much more. Much like David Foster-Wallace's Consider the Lobster  (also, probably a record on hyper links for this blog!), a book with a number of short stories is both great and annoying. On a positive, I found myself so curious about each of these people/stories, and it was wonderful to jump from place to place and get a quick dive into something new. On the downside, I found myself wishing there was more to learn (often leading to a deep web search after finishing the essay).

Like his other books, I find Radden Keefe to have a wonderful writing style. It's engaging and well written enough to keep you hooked, and he almost never gives you too much or not enough. I'm not sure if it's a great editor, but his choices of what to include and pace is fantastic. I also enjoyed the decisions of who to cover. Like many, I'm curious about the "true crime" genre that has become so popular, and this book covers many of that type (check the title!). From the biggest drug/crime lord in Mexico, to the Boston Marathon bomber, to many, many others, this book may not be for some. If you struggle with the story of violence, death, etc., this can certainly be a tough read. 

As you can tell, I really enjoyed this book and recommend it, and his other, fuller stories, to any interested readers. While there are parts that can be tough to get through, understanding more about the types of people and stories that you don't often come across in every day life is exciting. Strong recommendation!

Shogun - James Clavell ----------------------------- 3 Stars

I'm a big of taking on large, hopefully rewarding books over the summer. With the added time to be able to engage and read more, it's sometimes fun to take on those books that would take months to get through at other times of the year. So, I thought I'd give James Clavell's epic Shogun a try. Besides being a over 40 years old, it's been on a few lists of books recommendations I follow. That, plus the new award winning Hulu miniseries that everyone’s been talking about, made me want to give it a shot. Unfortunately, it didn't meet my high expectations. 

As this books is over a thousand pages, it’s not something you just breeze through in a week. That being said, there are plenty of parts that that make you want to keep going. The story follows John Blackthorne, an English pilot who shipwrecks in Japan in the early 1600s, and gets pulled into the political and cultural world of the samurai. Clavell’s detail is incredible; he clearly did his research, and the immersion in Japanese society and customs is fascinating. Some of the set pieces, like Blackthorne learning how the culture works or navigating loyalty to the warlords, are really engaging. I read that for many original readers of this book, this was how many around the world learned about Japan.

There are also some fantastic characters beyond Blackthorne. Toranaga, the powerful daimyo, is a brilliant mix of strategist and manipulator. I never quite knew what he was thinking until the move is already made. Mariko is another standout, a woman caught between cultures who ends up being the emotional core of the story. Their arcs, and the relationships they have with Blackthorne, give the book some of its best moments. 

However, the length is daunting. There are whole sections that feel like they could have been trimmed, and after a while, the politics between the different lords start to blur together. It’s also packed with characters, some of whom fade in and out, so it’s not always easy to keep track of who matters most. There's simply too many people in the story. And while the depth is impressive, Clavell doesn’t always know when to stop explaining. It can get pretty dense, which makes it a slow read at times. Yet, ironically, with all the time he takes on certain parts I found the end incomplete and unfulfilling. That was frustrating!

I'm writing this having finished the book and am halfway through the miniseries. Honestly, if I were to do it again, I think I'd just watch thew show. It's beautifully shot, and in many ways, takes the best parts of the book and even makes them stronger. 

The book is… massive. Still, when the book is working, it’s fantastic. The clash of cultures, the rise of power struggles, and the vivid sense of place really do transport you. It’s a commitment, but if you’re willing to settle into something long and detailed, it can be rewarding. I’m glad I read it, though I’ll admit the show moves a little faster and spares you some of the bloat.