I’ve already read this book when I was younger – maybe back in Middle School. But since lately I’ve been starting to read more again, I decided to give it another read. Check out the excerpt below, and consider buying the book on Amazon.
Erik Christian Haugaard, The Samurai’s Tale
…. “Who is he?”
“The master’s youngest,” an old servant woman, who had been with my father since he was a child, answered in a mournful voice. It was she who had prepared the tea that the two men were drinking.
“Three sons! He was a lucky man,” the stout officer declared.
“Until today.” The man dressed in blue smiled and then, turning to the soldier, he asked, “How much rice was there in the storehouse?”
“More than fifty horses can carry.”
This news seemed to please both men, for they smiled. In my father’s kura was stored not only his own rice, but also the rice he had collected in taxes for his master the lord of Echigo, Uesugi Kenshin.
One of the men nodded his head in my direction while he glanced significantly at the soldier and, though I was not yet five years old, I understood the meaning of that silent command. I leapt toward the corner of the room where I kept a bamboo sword my father had given me. Once I held it in my hand I turned toward the soldier in an attitude of defense.
This act of mine made both of the officers laugh, the stout one so much that he shook. Not knowing what to do next, the soldier stood hesitantly, waiting for further command.
“He is truly the son of a samurai,” the officer dressed in blue exclaimed.
“Akiyama!” The stout officer nodded towards me. “Catch him and I will make you a present of him.”
The officer Akiyama stood up and, glancing at me with a look used to obedience, he said, Come here, boy!”
For a moment I hesitated, but then decided that he meant me no harm. Putting down my bamboo sword I walked up to him, keeping my gaze on his face.
“What is your name?” he asked.
“Murakami,” I replied, using my family name.
“You can have him, but not as Murakami,” the stout officer interrupted and then turning to me he said, “If you want to keep that name, you shan’t keep your head.” He looked down at his sword as if he contemplated drawing it.
“I shall call him ‘Taro.’” The samurai Akiyama grinned. “He can take care of my horses when he grows up.” He drew me close to him for a moment. I think he suspected that I might claim my right to my family name even though this could mean losing my head, for I had more pride than sense.
The Samurai’s Tale is the story of a little boy who lost everything, but never lost sight of his dream to become a Samurai. And I recommend it to those who love stories about people rising from nothing, or people who enjoy great fortune cookie reads – as every now and then, there was some great dialogue, in which the characters would say things that would put most fortune cookie writers to shame.
However, I didn’t find the book most enjoyable, as I felt that a lot of the chapters could have been taken out, and Erik tends to sacrifice what could be great dialog, for instead summaries of what was discussed – and this in turn, made the book feel long and like a chore to finish.
Regardless, many consider The Samurai’s Tale as a classic. So please, don’t let my negative thoughts get in the way of what greatness it may add to your life.
Have you already read The Samurai’s Tale? What did you think about it?
