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Book Review of The Exile Way: A Mystery of Ancient Japan

The Exile Way: A Mystery of Ancient Japan
reviewed on + 71 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


This is an odd little book. I'm still not quite sure what to make of it. Ostensibly, it's a mystery but set in "ancient" Japan. Having read a lot of Japanese novels (in translation, of course), this doesn't feel right for the time period. My biggest problem is the leading character is a woman. Now, being female myself, that's not a problem in and of itself; however, it is for ancient Japan. Lady Aoi seems to have a lot of power and a lot of freedom to do as she pleases. She is a member of the emperor's court, applying her "physician's" skills even on the emperor himself.

Although it was well written, neither it's story, nor it's style enticed me into finishing it.