Great subject matter, but writing is clunky

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The book is centered around the suffering and plight of Christians at the hands of the Japanese, including the European Traders and the converted Japanese Christians. It follows Father Joaquim who is trying to protect and save his flock against the Japanese, who have outlawed Christianity. I have read a lot of Japanese nonfiction and fiction and I love the history of the country, and it has been done well by many authors, but not by this one.

I thought the book was good, but it did not live up to my expectations. I appreciate the accuracy and the portrayal of the brutality of the period. I also liked the tension and battle, by the Japanese who are trying to protect their cultural practices.

However, in my opinion the writing style really let the book down. The thought it was very simplistic, flat and almost clunky in places, this made the flow of the story difficult. As I found it hard to keep reading because it almost became boring. The chapters that focused on the various Japanese Lords and Officials were okay, but there was no light and shade they were just portrayed as 'baddies'. The authors communication of the faith of Christianity overcoming all adversity, was nauseating. I understand that the Europeans of the time would have a strong belief in Christianity, but how it was portrayed here was too syrupy.

The book overall was good, but the authors writing style needs developing and the portrayal of Christianity was far too much!