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Title: The Commoner

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: John Burnham Schwartz

Narrator: Janet Song

Format: Abridged

Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-14-08

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Told in the voice of Haruko, meticulously researched and superbly imagined, The Commoner is the mesmerizing, moving, and surprising story of a brutally rarified and controlled existence at once hidden and exposed, and of a complex relationship between two isolated women who, despite being visible to all, are truly understood only by each other. With the unerring skill of a master storyteller, John Burnham Schwartz has written his finest novel yet.

Critic Reviews:

"Schwartz pulls off a grand feat in giving readers a moving dramatization of a cloistered world." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Not Emotionally Engaging.

While I enjoyed learning a bit about Japanese culture and royalty, the story itself is a bit disaffecting and not something that holds your interest for long periods--Even though it is a short novel. The story is told first person through the eyes of Haruko, her language is both formal and dispassionate. I suppose this could be attributed to the stoicism of her character, but told this way--it fails to engage the reader's emotions in a way that is moving.

Fascinating

Well written based on a true story of post war Japan. Interesting development of the characters and their social norms. Even in modern times, love may not conquer all when it comes to marrying outside your social station. This highlights how even the female's own family treats her differently after the wedding. Her struggle of not "fitting in" either world is poignantly described.

Exotic & Enjoyable Read for a Book Group

Our library fiction book group read and enjoyed this novel which imagines the life of a commoner, who in 1959 marries the Crown Prince of Japan whom she meets on a tennis court. Her life is lonely and ruled by imperial precedent. She's like a prisoner in a golden cage. She fulfills her royal obligation of producing an heir, but at great personal cost. She is so depressed, she loses her ability to speak. Years later her son also falls in love with a commoner. Will history repeat itself?

This is a lovely and exotic book which enables you to imagine being in an ancient culture so different from your own. Our book group members enjoyed it. The author came to our library to discuss this book, and they appreciated hearing him speak also. 4.5 stars

Interesting story

I enjoyed the first half of the book but found the last part to be discouraging. I wanted the main character to take more control of her life and change âthe courtiersâ around her. She should have used her power as mother of the heirs and wife of the prince and then Emperor.

The Chyrsantemum Throne

I found this book very interesting and if the authors facts are true about the royal family than it gives one a good insight into their highly restrictive lives and one that I did not envy since she no longer had control over her life and children. A good read.