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There are currently 15 member reviews
for The Commoner
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Dorothy (Front Royal VA)
Redemption?
Haruko, the commoner, went against all custom of Japan and actually beat the next-in-line Emperor of Japan in tennis. The world of politics beyond her garden wall was of little consequence to her. It was actually her lack of experience with the game of politics and royalty that beguiled the crown prince to want her as his consort. But in doing so, Haruko shut the door on her previous life and all who presided there. "Life became a series of rituals written in another age."
Adding to this wall built around her, was the methodical withdrawal of her baby son by her husband's mother who subtly gives the care of Yasu to the servants. Haruko lapses into a breakdown caused by her broken heart.
In a time and culture when the dictates of royalty preside over individual desire and independence, Haruko submits to the control of the Japanese court and releases her right to hold her son; to hold her husband's hand in public; to publicly shed a tear for sorrow of joy.
Time, however, allows her the opportunity to become the Empress of Japan and the mother-in-law to her son's wife. Will she redeem the wrongs that have burdened her life, or continue to carry out the royal traditions? The portrayal of these historic characters written in sensuous prose evokes compassion and a deeper understanding of a world unknown to most.
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Janice (Bluffton SC)
The Commoner
If you enjoyed Memoirs of a Geisha, this book is for you. I am not normally a reader of Asian fiction but was thoroughly enveloped by this descriptive, informative and well-written tale. One cannot help but sympathize with the protagonist as she moves through life from, a commoner to royalty, with pain and fragility and, finally, maturity.
Given the author's extensive research and knowledge of Japan, this is a fine learning novel.
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Angela (Hartland MI)
Raw and Emotionally Charged
I am a big fan of Asian historical fiction, so I was very excited to read this book. I was not disappointed. I found this book to be raw and emotionally charged, with strong female characters who may or may not have sacrificed too much for the good of their country. I actually cried when Haruko loses her voice and I could feel her pain and depression screaming from the pages. As with most books I like, I wished it would never end. I could go on, but suffice to say, this book was an interesting read from start to finish.
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John (Buffalo NY)
Clash of old and new traditions
John Burnham Schwartz's latest book, The Commoner, is an interesting portrayal of the royal house of Japan. Haruko, the fictional Empress of Japan, is the commoner of the title. She gives up her voice - literally and figuratively - by agreeing to marry the Crown Prince. The novel explores her struggle to hold on to her roots against her duties and difficult mother-in-law. Schwartz's writing is sprinkled with beautiful imagery often associated with Japan - cherry blossoms, cranes, and the phoenix, but the use of this imagery cannot save the forced prose. The story - like an oriental Princess Diana story - tries to prevent Haruko has a marytered hero, but in the end - even when she helps her daughter-in-law deal with Imperial life - she comes more as coward forced into a moral decision that leaves her speechless. Haruko even loses her ability to speak, but once it is regained, she does not say anything of interest. The reader is left to infer to much about her character. In the end, this reader was generally to bored to infer.
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Christine (Gig Harbor WA)
The Commoner
I wish I had liked The Commoner more. John Burnham Schwartz obviously did his homework on life on both sides of the Japanese Imperial Walls. His writing creates exquisite snapshots of the culture and mores of a society in a time of recovery and change. However, it is in the details that the story gets bogged down and allowed me to set aside the novel during this busy time of year. I am glad I stuck with the novel, being rewarded with a less than traditional "happily ever after" ending to a novel that reads, at times, like a fairy tale.
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Sabrina (Fayetteville NC)
A Taste of Japanese Royalty
This novel provides the reader with the unique and enjoyable experience of learning about the particular practices of Japanese royalty. The opportunity to enter this culture was the most positive feature of the book for me. However, even in this regard, the author failed to provide enough depth. More explanatory historical information would have been helpful. This could have been accomplished in a manner that would have not detracted from the plot. It probably would have enhanced the plot's enjoyment. Depth was also lacking in character development. The novel's narrator, Haruko, is a strong-willed and memorable character. However, she seems distant from the reader; it was hard for me to feel drawn to her emotionally. The same is true for the other central characters. This is likely a good choice for book clubs but not for individual readers yearning for thought-provoking insight into the emotional conflicts faced by those in Haruko's culture and in her position.
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Valerie (Chico CA)
The Commoner
I found this book engaging and well written. I also found it aroused emotions of frustration and anger at the helplessness of the female characters and their inability to affect their situations. If you read for entertainment, this may not be the best choice. If you would like insights into the Japanese royals' way of life, which probably carries over to the royal lives of other nations, this book is a worthwhile read.
