Bristling with intrigue and erotic rivalries, the palace is home to three thousand women and only one man the young shogun. The last concubine by lesley downer books the guardian. There she is chosen to be the young shoguns concubine. Shortlisted for romantic novel of the year 2009, translated into 30 languages. Growing up deep in the mountains of rural japan, sachi has always felt different, her pale skin and fine features setting her apart from her friends and family. Up to 20 books are listed, in descending order of popularity at this site. This is the story of a shogun, a princess and the three thousand women of the womeniiiis palace all of whom really existed and of the civil war that brought their.
Mar 11, 2009 lesley downers great passion is japan. In terms of the historical period, you should read the last concubine first, then the courtesan and the samurai and lastly the samurais daughter. The pace is a bit slow in the first half, which is mainly concerned with setting up the stage for the rest of the story. Discover more authors youll love listening to on audible. This is the story of a shogun, a princess and the three thousand women of the womens palace all of whom really existed and of the civil war that brought their way of. Browse lesley downers bestselling audiobooks and newest titles. The secret history of a vanishing world, and madame sadayakko. Biography of the author and journalist lesley downer.
Aside from the easy enjoyment of lesley downer s pageturner tale, it was a bonus to be given such a strong sense of the period and its history by someone who is an expert in the field, quite aside from the fiction she writes. This is the story of a shogun, a princess and the three thousand women of the womens palace all of whom really existed and of the civil war that brought their way of life to an end. In terms of the historical period, you should read the last concubine first, then the courtesan and the samurai and lastly themorehi, thank you. Jun 09, 2009 i started reading the last concubine and couldnt put it down until i finished it. Growing up in rural japan in 1861, sachi has always felt different, her pale skin setting her apart. This acclaimed book by lesley downer is available at in several formats for your ereader. Lesley downers great passion is japan where she has lived on and off for some 15 years. Buy last concubine, the online, free home delivery. The last concubine is an epic love story closely based on historical events, chronicling 19th century. The shogun quartet, book 2 and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. The last concubine by lesley downer 9780552155205 booktopia. The last concubine is lesley downers first work of fiction, and i certainly think it was a solid debut.
Here is the place to find out about my latest writing, journalism and research. The last concubine by lesley downer, paperback barnes. Buy a cheap copy of the last concubine book by lesley downer. Last concubine by downer abebooks passion for books. See all books authored by lesley downer, including women of the pleasure quarters. Chinese published by beijing pengfeiyili books inc.
Lesley downer s debut novel, the last concubine, was one of the biggest selling debuts of 2008 and was shortlist for the pure passion awards. The last concubine paperback february 12, 2009 by lesley downer author. Like the very best romantic novels, its a real pageturner. Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free uk delivery on orders over. Epic history and romance combine in a passionate, exotic novel featuring the mysterious mistress of the last shogun emperor. Lesley downers mother was chinese and her father a professor of chinese, so she. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. I had previously read lesley downers study into the life of geisha and found her an. The last concubine isbn 9780552155205 pdf epub lesley. The first edition of the novel was published in january 1st 2008, and was written by lesley downer. But it was japan, not china, that proved the more alluring, and she lived there for some fifteen years. Feb 04, 2009 an extract from lesley downer s the last concubine, which is shortlisted for the romantic novel of the year award. Epic history and romance combine in a passionate, exotic novel featuring the mysterious concubine of the last shogun.
The last concubine by lesley downer and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The last concubine is set in japan in the mid1860s at the time of the civil war, the coming of. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The courtesan and the samurai by lesley downer paperback. I read her history book geisha about six months ago and was impressed then by the engaging way she. How do you fall in love when your society has no word for it. In terms of the historical period, you should read the last concubine first, then the courtesan and the samurai and lastly themore hi, thank you. But it was japan, not china, that proved the more alluring, and where she lived for over fifteen years. Reviews a sweeping historical drama it is fluently written and the political events, battles, customs minutiae of daily life and even the weather have all been meticulously researched to recreate japan in the 1860s.
Sachi, a beautiful fifteenyearold girl, is chosen to be his concubine. Isabel wolff against the backdrop of civil war, lesley downer has created a rich epic of love, confusion and loyalty. Jun 09, 2009 buy the paperback book the last concubine by lesley downer at indigo. When she is 11, a princess passes through her village, sweeping her off to the womens palace in edo, home to 3000 women and only one man the young sho. The world of the book 1870s japan is vividly evoked.
Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Browse lesley downer s bestselling audiobooks and newest titles. Like the very best romantic novels, its a real page turner. Feb 04, 2009 an extract from lesley downer s the last concubine, which is shortlisted for the romantic novel of the year award published. Pdf the last concubine book the shogun quartet free. Lesley downers romantic novel of 19thcentury japan is a brilliant blend of fact and fiction.
The last concubine is an epic love story closely based on historical events, chronicling nineteenthcentury japans extraordinary change from a medieval to a modern country. Sachi flees from the castle where she has lived a pampered life and finds herself on the run with her trusted friend taki. An extract from lesley downers the last concubine, which is shortlisted for the romantic novel of the year award. The last concubine is an epic evocation of a country in revolution, and of a young womans quest to find out who she really is. Her travels brought her to japan, inspired her to learn the language, and eventually write historical fiction and nonfiction books about the country shed fallen in love with. In terms of the historical period, you should read the last concubine first, then the courtesan and the samurai. Free download or read online the last concubine pdf epub the shogun quartet series book. Japan, 1865, the womens palace in the great city of edo. She has written many books about the country and its culture, including geisha. Lesley downers mother was chinese and her father a professor of chinese, so she grew up in a house full of books on asia. The last concubine by lesley downer penguin books australia. Watch lesley talking about the last concubine on meet the author read an extract.
Set in one of the most tumultuous eras in japanese history, the last concubine is an epic evocation of a country in revolution, and of a young womans quest to find out who she really is. Spotlight on historical fiction author lesley downer. Lesley downer audio books, best sellers, author bio. Growing up in rural japan, sachi has always felt different, with her pale skin and fine features. Books by lesley downer author of the last concubine. An epic novel closely based on historical events, the last concubine is the story of a shogun, a princess and the three thousand women of the womens palace all of whom really existed and of the civil war that brought their way of life to an. Lesley downer has 21 books on goodreads with 18309 ratings. My only fear about it so far is that it might be a tiny bit like the last samurai and have a white saviour feel to it, but in any case im looking forward to settling down with it at last. The shogun quartet, book 2 english edition kindle ausgabe. The secret history of the geisha, and the last concubine, and more on. Empress dowager cixi punishes emperors concubine for insulting her.
Aside from the easy enjoyment of lesley downers pageturner tale, it was a bonus to be given such a strong sense of the period and its history by someone who is an expert in the field, quite aside from the fiction she writes. This is the first novel by lesley downer but is firmly based on history. Bristling with intrigue and erotic rivalries, the palace is ho. The last concubine, book by lesley downer paperback. Discover book depositorys huge selection of lesley downer books online.
Growing up deep in the mountains of rural japan, sachi has always felt different, her pale skin and fine features. The last concubine the shogun quartet, book 2 by lesley downer. Foreign editions of the last concubine lesley downer. The last concubine by lesley downer overdrive rakuten. Bthe last concubine b is an epic love story closely based on historical events, chronicling 19th century japaniiiis extraordinary change from a medieval to a modern country. Romantic novel of the year goes to raj love story books. While this may not be the kind of serious historical introduction that i should be reading, it does help to give a certain flavor of the atmosphere and, besides, lesley downer is a reliable guide.
The shoguns queen is both gripping and historically accurate. My mother was chinese and my father a professor of chinese, so i grew up in a house full of books on asia. The last concubine by lesley downer how do you fall in love when your society has no word for it. Ive been a writer, journalist and broadcaster for most of my career. I enjoyed her novel shogun queen, a captivating and engrossing novel set in age of the samurai, and can attest to her extensive knowledge of the country and. The last concubine is an epic love story closely based on historical events, chronicling 19th century japans extraordinary change from a medieval to a modern country. Ever since i went to japan, ive been curious to learn more about its ancient feudal culture.
Her life is turned upside down at 11 when she is taken to the womens palace in the great city of edo. The last concubine can be thoroughly recommended to anyone with an interest in japan or an appetite for stories of adventure and romance. The last concubine by lesley downer 9780552155205 trade me. The last concubine ebook by lesley downer rakuten kobo. Lesley downers debut novel, the last concubine, was one of the biggest selling debuts of 2008 and was shortlist for the pure passion awards. Buy the last concubine by lesley downer from waterstones today.
Jul 31, 2008 the last concubine by lesley downer how do you fall in love when your society has no word for it. The shogun quartet, book 2 kindle edition by lesley downer author. Read the last concubine the shogun quartet, book 2 by lesley downer available from rakuten kobo. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 480 pages and is. This book was a spellbinding, engrossing and a thoroughly enjoyable read. She has lectured extensively in japan and lives in. But it was japan, not china, that proved the more alluring, and she lived there for some. An extract from lesley downers the last concubine, which is shortlisted for the romantic novel of the year award published. I started reading the last concubine and couldnt put it down until i finished it. Lesley downer books list of books by author lesley downer. While japan is teetering on the edge of civil war, sachi becomes concubine to the last shogun of edo tokyo but her life is soon to change when the old ways are swept away forever.
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