Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus :: Book Lady Linda’s Review

At age 14 Nakahama Manjiro was shipwrecked on a deserted island with a few others from his fishing boat off the coast of Japan. This happened in 1841.

How fortunate Manjiro was to be able to survive on Torishima aka. Bird Island, after he was shipwrecked. He and four friends managed to stay alive long enough to be rescued by an American whaling ship, the John Howland.

Their unexpected journey took them to Hawaii where the four friends chose to remain. Manjiro, however, decided to stay on the whaling ship where he was known as John Mung. He learned the whaling trade and eventually was able to visit the United States!

My experience of reading Heart of a Samurai

For me, this was a great reading experience and I sailed right through this book since it was a page-turner. I was especially impressed that this is a true story. It was fictionalized a bit in this historical novel, but the basics are all true.

After reading this book I read everything I could on the web to learn more about Manjiro. He was an amazing man and a great asset to Japan as the reclusive nation emerged from obscurity to take part in the world culture.

Manjiro started as a shipwrecked boy but had a wonderful future ahead of him so I found this to be an uplifting book of hope and encouragement. Though we may be down and out, set back, and feeling hopeless… there is a future that could be better, bright and glorious.

Would a child like it?

I believe children would be thrilled to read Manjiro’s story. This is a book especially for young boys, perhaps around ages 8 to 15. But girls might like it too. I know I did.

Is it worth buying?

Yes, it would be a perfect gift for a young person. Perhaps it would give him hope for the future and help him see that life holds unseen and unexpected opportunities. One only has to try their best to learn and work while waiting for the future to unfold.