The
Peony Lantern written by Frances Watts (Harper
Collins) PBK RRP $16.99 ISBN 9780733332920
Reviewed by Sharon McGuinness
It is 1857 Japan and European ships have
arrived just four years earlier – a time of change – not just for the strict
norms of Japanese society but also for Kasumi, a fifteen year old girl intent
on becoming her own person.
Kasumi has keen powers of observation
which, in her small village and family are an advantage – something which may
have previously earned rebuke from her father, but has been noticed by the
visiting samurai, Lord Shimizu. Realising the benefits Kasumi may bring to his
household, in addition as a companion for his new, young wife, Lord Shimizu
offers her a position.
Shimizu takes her on the journey back to
Edo (Tokyo); they are accompanied by his adopted son, nephew Isamu. On leaving
her village Tsumago, Kasumi wonders to herself ‘perhaps in Edo I would find a
life that suited me’.
Kasumi becomes part of the household and
enjoys the friendship offered by Shimizu’s wife Misaki. She begins to feel that
all is not what it seems and that Misaki is hiding something about her
background. Instantly attracted to Shimizu’s nephew Isamu, Kasumi’s insecurity
leads her to believe that he is in fact in love with Misaki, fuelled when she
overhears Misaki and Isamu talking.
Mystery and intrigue surround several of
the characters and set against a backdrop of the tension between the ruling
Shogun and the Europeans as they vie for power, the intrigue is heightened when
Kasumi’s futon is slashed. Who would want to hurt her?
Through Misaki, Kasumi is given
opportunities usually only reserved for the privileged. Trips to the theatre
and weekly lessons in ikebana and painting prove to her that she will not be
content with an ordinary life.
Her keen observation and intellect
enable her to uncover the mystery behind Misaki’s background and the truth
behind Isamu’s secrecy. When Taro, Shimizu’s closest friend is killed, Kasumi
solves the intertwined puzzles of the political threats and the secrets of the
household.
We are left at the end of the story feeling
that Kasumi will not let her lowly class prohibit her from not only being with
the man she loves, but that she will follow her own aspirations to live a life
of her own choosing.
Watts plunges her readers into her
historical narrative about a society which is a polar opposite to 2015
Australia. Is it really, though? Political intrigue, family secrets and a
desire to push the boundaries of both class and societal norms are themes which
are timeless.
The beauty of Watts’ writing leads us
through an exciting narrative, the mystery’s solution only revealed at the end.
The reader revels in themes of identity, the position of women, honour in
Japanese samurai culture and Japanese history while noting the symbolism of the
natural world versus the controlled. It is a novel full of references to
Japanese literature, art and theatre which readers will willingly absorb in
their quest to solve the mysteries within.
Destined to be enjoyed by anyone over
the age of 12 and bound to be a favourite to be shared within a class, an added
advantage is its ‘usefulness’ as a text
aptly aligned to the new English curriculum.
Captivating.
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