Review of Asayi
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Igori Joy
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Review of Asayi
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Asayi" by Sharon Curcio.]
Asayi: An Autistic Teen's Journey to Topple a Shogun in Medieval Japan, by Saron Curcio, tells the story of Asayi, a dumb teenage lady who lived with her old father, Oktani, and their housekeeper, Hatsu, as her mother, Omari, was late. Her father, is a scholar and chief scribe of the Ashikaga Shogun. He writes the king's legal decrees, regulations, rules, and laws. His daughter Asayi assists him as he trains her to be a skilled copyist. The story opens with Asayi and his father in his workroom, focused on making sure they finish their work because troops from the palace are coming soon to take the scrolls to Kyoto. With the discussions between Oktani and Hatsu, we learn that Asayi's father intends to take her to the palace to speak with the king about her finding a suitor. However, when her father died, she was taken back to the palace due to the promise the Shogun made to her father. He set her up to marry Nabui, a scribe, and she became his third wife. Asayi received terrible treatment from him, especially when she couldn't speak; he was a man who had always aspired to be in her father's position.
The first thing I'll commend in this story is the vocabulary. The story is simple, brief, and extremely enjoyable. The novel contained no repetition or lengthy conversations that were superfluous. I enjoyed how the novel introduced me to some Japanese culture and spiritual practices. I liked how the author included Japanese proverbs at the beginning of each chapter; it piqued my curiosity about reading more. I admire how the author was able to buttress Asayi's thinking in italics because it helped me connect to her feelings. I could feel Asayi's relief as Wotani, the herbalist, explained how she could communicate with her brush. I love the progression of the story; the author did carry me along all through; I wasn't lost at any point.
Asayi exposed me to human cruelty and how the less fortunate endure at the hands of their authority. The story depicts how women are devalued and treated as worthless. I admire Asayi's father, Oktani, who is simple in personality and outstanding at his job and who only wants to provide a good life for his daughter. Excellent world-building. The characters are well-developed. The book describes instances of sexual violence and physical abuse. People who are easily triggered should exercise caution. Excellent editing and I will recommend this book to anybody who enjoys historical fiction. I will rate it a 5 out of 5 stars.
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Asayi
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Asayi: An Autistic Teen's Journey to Topple a Shogun in Medieval Japan, by Saron Curcio, tells the story of Asayi, a dumb teenage lady who lived with her old father, Oktani, and their housekeeper, Hatsu, as her mother, Omari, was late. Her father, is a scholar and chief scribe of the Ashikaga Shogun. He writes the king's legal decrees, regulations, rules, and laws. His daughter Asayi assists him as he trains her to be a skilled copyist. The story opens with Asayi and his father in his workroom, focused on making sure they finish their work because troops from the palace are coming soon to take the scrolls to Kyoto. With the discussions between Oktani and Hatsu, we learn that Asayi's father intends to take her to the palace to speak with the king about her finding a suitor. However, when her father died, she was taken back to the palace due to the promise the Shogun made to her father. He set her up to marry Nabui, a scribe, and she became his third wife. Asayi received terrible treatment from him, especially when she couldn't speak; he was a man who had always aspired to be in her father's position.
The first thing I'll commend in this story is the vocabulary. The story is simple, brief, and extremely enjoyable. The novel contained no repetition or lengthy conversations that were superfluous. I enjoyed how the novel introduced me to some Japanese culture and spiritual practices. I liked how the author included Japanese proverbs at the beginning of each chapter; it piqued my curiosity about reading more. I admire how the author was able to buttress Asayi's thinking in italics because it helped me connect to her feelings. I could feel Asayi's relief as Wotani, the herbalist, explained how she could communicate with her brush. I love the progression of the story; the author did carry me along all through; I wasn't lost at any point.
Asayi exposed me to human cruelty and how the less fortunate endure at the hands of their authority. The story depicts how women are devalued and treated as worthless. I admire Asayi's father, Oktani, who is simple in personality and outstanding at his job and who only wants to provide a good life for his daughter. Excellent world-building. The characters are well-developed. The book describes instances of sexual violence and physical abuse. People who are easily triggered should exercise caution. Excellent editing and I will recommend this book to anybody who enjoys historical fiction. I will rate it a 5 out of 5 stars.
******
Asayi
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Shade of Highfall by Mark O'Dell
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Amy Luman
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This doesn’t sound like a very good book to me. I really like the review, though. It provides a great deal of detail about Asayi and the other characters and their actions. Thanks!
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Nneka Bridget
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"Asayi: An Autistic Teen's Journey to Topple a Shogun in Medieval Japan" offers a compelling narrative that highlights the struggles of women in a historical context. The author effectively uses vocabulary and structure to create an engaging story, and the incorporation of Japanese culture adds depth. Asayi’s journey showcases resilience amidst adversity, making it a thought-provoking read. The themes of authority and human cruelty are portrayed with sensitivity, making it a strong recommendation for fans of historical fiction.
