Toru: Wayfarer Returns

I just finished "Toru: Wayfarer Returns" by Stephanie R. Sorensen. It is a fabulously descriptive and detailed alternate history of the invasion of Japan by Admiral Perry. It is mostly about the preparations of the people of Japan for this invasion with help of a humble fisherman, Toru. Toru returns to Japan having spent the previous two years in America after being rescued from a fishing boat accident. His return is in violation of the Shogun's laws thus he is condemned to death immediately. Toru is a persuasive captive and manages to sway the local Lord Aya to hear his reasons for returning to his homeland. The story unfolds with the development of an industrial revolution albeit a speedy one with the hope of defending Japan from foreign invaders. This novel reminds me of "Across the Nightingale Floor", "Shogun" and the movie, "The Last Samurai." It has elements of all of these. There is the beauty described in the landscapes of the country of Japan, the struggles of a Shogun who fears the future loss of his power and the struggle of a nation to come into a new technological age. "Toru: Wayfarer Returns" is the just the beginning. There are subsequent books that further the tale. I look forward to seeing how this alternate history panes out.

Note that this was an advance review copy, for which I thank the publisher. It's been a while since I've fond something I really wanted to read on Net Galley and this was worth the wait in gold to coin a phrase!

It was an awesome novel - steampunk set in Japan (kinda)! But that's not why I liked it. I've read a few steampunk novels and found too many of them less than satisfactory, the author being far more in love with steampunk than ever they were in good story-telling. This is a different tack. This author clearly loves to tell a great and well-put-together story and steampunk is just an accessory.

It's not even really steampunk as such, but the story of an alternate-world Japan entering the steam age perforce to save themselves from falling under the thumb of an expansionist and capitalist USA in the form of Matthew Perry, not the actor from the Friends TV show, but a US Navy Commodore who also happened to be a belligerent bully who, in the real world, forced under threat of arms, a very feudal and unprepared Japan to sign a so-called treaty which treated the US and no-one else.

In this novel, things happen differently. Toru is the name of the mysterious "fisherman" who arrives back in Japan after two years of living in (and closely observing) the USA, and in this world the Japanese, because of Toru's efforts, are fully armed and very dangerous when Perry arrives in the last twenty percent of the novel.

So no, it's not a novel full of battles. Instead, it's a story of perseverance and bravery, and of hardship and ingenuity, where Toru has to overcome one prejudice after another in a very strict, very isolationist nation which rejects him to begin with because he's 'soiled goods' having lived outside of Japan. Rejection here, please note, means no less than ritual beheading. It's a story of codes of honor, of class separation, and of how barriers can be worn away with diligence and dedication. The story is one of change, and skin-of-the-teeth survival, and of a slow awakening (in this case militarily) of a nation which in the real world enjoyed a similar rise, but economically after World War Two.

The author quite evidently knows her stuff (or at the very least, fakes it beautifully, which is fine with me!), and while - now and then - I found the frequent use of Japanese terminology annoying, for the most part it was fine and even educational. Some readers who are seeking only a story of martial might, may find this rather restrained and slow-moving, but for me it was a comfortable, easy read which entertained, educated, and showed how non-violent change can come even to a nation as rigid as Japan was (and still is in many regards).

It's not all about the men, either. We have a strong female character who is admirably understated but very much to the fore. We also have a restrained love story which even I liked, so if you've read my reviews of not a few young adult stories, you must know that this one had to be well done to please me!

I had one or two minor issues, but nothing that put me off the story overall. For example, we're told that Toru meets Helmuth von Moltke at West Point, which is highly unlikely since he was stationed in Magdeburg in charge of the 4th army corps when Toru was supposedly in the US! Moltke is the guy who goes uncredited for saying "No battle plan survives contact with the enemy," when what he actually wrote was rather different: "No plan of operations extends with any certainty beyond the first contact with the main hostile force." I honestly did not see the point of referring to him or to what he supposedly said. This guy was an appalling racist and doesn't deserve to be remembered for anything.

While the author conveys a good feel for Japan, when it comes to preparations for war - in this case a huge build-up of steam power - the idea of powering steam engines is a bit too easily accomplished. Coal was not scarce in Japan in terms of being available for mining, but in order to mine it to power the steam engines, a lot more work would have had to be done than there was time for here! Perhaps this is why it gets so little mention, but I'm not convinced that there were enough trees to do everything they did either - not to do it and sustain it! The same problem exists for mining iron to build those engines and the tracks upon which they would run.

But I wasn't about to let minor quibbles spoil what was otherwise an excellent and very much appreciated read. I fully recommend this one.

This is a strong steampunk adventure sharing a tale of patriotism, honor and love. My rating 4.5.

Tōru is a young fisherman from Japan who went was shipwrecked on a fishing trip with his father. Tōru was picked up by Americans and spent two years living with Americans who welcomed him and shared their love of freedom as well as their technology. He returns to Japan in 1852, to a country that forbids the return of anyone who has left the country, even if unwillingly. He hopes to sneak in but is caught and brought to the local Lord. The law says he must be delivered to the Shogun for immediate execution. But the brave, enthusiastic young man tries to convince everyone they must embrace the technology he has brought back so they can prepare to face the enemies that will come – whether British or American. He argues that Japan must prepare itself to prevent being overrun like China was.

The Lord lost his wife at their daughter’s birth and now his lovely young daughter, Masuyo, is an ‘inappropriately’ outspoken, free spirit (doted on by her father). Masuyo finds Tōru’s journal of notes and sketches and is immediately enthralled. She champions Tōru so that her father delays the execution first to allow the young man to return to his home village to see his mother. They proceed to an adjacent Lord’s home and soon the two aristocrats are quietly planning how to enlist others in a rebellion to bring Japan into the steam era.

There are secrets to Tōru’s situation which are a puzzle to everyone, especially Masuyo. He is joined by his childhood friend who is a ‘common’ blacksmith but an uncommon machinist. Soon he is joined by another friend, another Lord’s chief samurai. These friends make an awesome team designing, engineering and building the needed weapons and tools, including railroads and steam dirigibles. The rebellion grows as they find allies in surprising places.

I really enjoyed the intrigue, plot twists, steampunk elements and the political allegory (a country struggling and stagnating under dictated traditions and leaders who lack vision). Ms. Sorenson provides good detail contrasting the living circumstances of the poor, who struggle each day with little hope of ever improving their situation, against the wealthy estates of the Lords and the revered positions of the samurai who have their opportunities as a matter of birthright. Masuyo is a strong, brave and inventive female character who contributes to the visionary team to the point of risking her life and her family. There is tenderness, sorrow, humor, bravery, and danger wrapped up in the story which moves along at a quick pace.

I was reminded a bit of The Last Samurai, probably because I had watched the movie recently. I liked that the author gives a bit of afterword explaining the political atmosphere and history of the setting. The chapter header quotes are apt to the plot as the author creatively delivers this story of patriotism, honor and love. I recommend this to readers who like alternate history and adventure as well as readers who enjoy steampunk and a young romance that seems impossible but finds a way.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free e-version of this book for me to review! This book is described as a Steampunk series ... not totally sure about this reference but I intend to find out more about the books! Toru: Wayfarer Returns takes place in the the mid 1800's and is described as an alternate story of history as tension between Japan and America heats up.

The main character, Toru, is a fisherman who was lost at sea, and pick up by an American ship. He was taken to America where he spent two years learning the language, and taking detailed notes about the current American technology before return to Japan. He returns to Japan, out of favor of the Shogun, and attempts to create a stronger Japan with the technology he has gained. My only complaint would be that some of the accomplishments seem lofty given the fact that it was in the 1800's, and takes place over a few years time.

The story is very entertaining, laced with cultural tidbits, and colorful characters. I really enjoyed this story and would definitely recommend it : ) Now I need to find out about Steampunk books!

Who ever realised that a sewing machine could be so important to a steampunk revolution? Well in Japan in 1852, to Toru and his efforts to drag his nation into a world filled with steam engines, babajis, dirigibles, submarines, all designed to fight alongside the samurai to protect against America's, invasion it was key. This book is a journey through a changing nation, a story of drastic technology changes clashing with old school Japan. A story of gender boundaries being pushed to the limits - and then further still. A story of a nation's passion to save themselves - but ultimately having to change beyond what they could ever have conceived, underwater boats, and flying ships used to send off enemies, where before through the centuries it was swords and samurai. With Toru at the helm of all the change he is discovering himself, as much as discovering how much his beloved nation can be pushed. But can they change in time? This book is an exciting read, and a beautiful mix of steampunk and Japanese tradition, leading up to a final crescendo.

AWESOME!!! A GREAT STEAMPUNK, VERY UNIQUE!!!

I really enjoyed this alternative history/steampunkish look at 1850s Japan. It was interesting reading and makes me want to learn more about the actual time period. The story really rolled along well and I can't wait to read the next books in the series.

Standard Victorian England Steampunk stories have to work to get my attention, I'm a little more drawn to the steampunk stories set elsewhere in the world and in different cultures. For example, there is Cherie Priest's series that started with Boneshaker, set in Civil War-era US, and there are multiple writers who tackled steampunk in Asia.

Toru is one of the later. It's set around the historical event of Admiral Perry forcing feudal Japan to open up to the world, and incorporates historical persons, either as themselves or transformed into fictional persons. Toru, himself, is loosely based on a real person, but in this story he is the son of a fisherman who was rescued by an American ship from a sinking fishing boat. He travelled to America, learned English and travelled the country, collecting books and technology, before being cheerfully returned to his homeland by his very friendly American acquaintances (which seems a little silly, considering the prejudices of the time).

Once home, he talks his way out of being executed (as required by the isolationist laws of the time), and goes on to convice local lords that the US will be coming to force an end to the laws constricting contact with the outside world, and that they would use force if need be. To resist, he brought back steam technology, and convinces people to rapidly industrialise.

I have to admit, the fact that he is so convincing is hard to believe, and the fact that they develop steam trains, telegraph, dirigible, Babadge machines, and mini submarines all in a single year is ridiculous. However, I was willing to ignore this based on how likeable the characters were, and how enjoyable the plot line. I did appreciate the fact that there are references to things like just how depressing the landscape was in places because all the trees had to be cut down in the work.

But despite plot quibbles, I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and I very much look forward to the second book when it comes out.

I greatly enjoyed my reading of Toru: Wayfarer Returns, the first book in the Sakura Steam series. The author deftly sets the stage of 19th century isolated Japan, complete with great descriptions of the customs and usage of the actual language. Sorensen certainly did her history research for this book and, as a history lover, that made it so much more immersive. An alternative history for this time and place is a wonderful idea and the story is well-constructed to be both entertaining and (mostly) plausible. I really enjoyed the growth and complexity of the characters and their natural interactions with each other. The twist of <spoiler>how Toru was actually placed in the path of American ship was great!</spoiler> And the pacing was good, not too fast but exciting and I wanted to know what happened next.

There are some clunky bits in Toru though. One is that the main character himself is a bit stale so I would have liked it better if his personality could stand up more against the other characters. The timeline for the industrialization was super quick but I'm willing to suspend that thought for fiction's sake. The conclusion of the romance line was super quick and unsatisfying considering how little it was shown in the story. Since there's more than one book, I would have rather there been more build up to that and had to wait into Book #2 to find out what happens between them.

My biggest complain comes down to steampunk-ness. I would have fallen head over heels for the book if the author had made the inventors actually INVENT something. As in, make something totally new. Unfortunately the engineers, the heroes of steampunk, are just re-engineering and copying existing Western technologies the whole time. I hope that these awesome characters create something distinctly Japanese and totally awesome in future Sakura Steam books.

Lastly, I hate the quotations at the beginning of the chapters. Why are there quotes from Bob Dylan and Cormac McCarthy in this 19th century alternative history novel? It was jarring and completely broke the immersion as a reader. I really hope those don't continue.

All of that said: I really enjoyed it and I think future books will only get better. I even went so far as to subscribe to the author's site and Goodreads profile so that I can snatch up a copy of the next installment.

Billed as a steampunk novel, the opening pages unfold leaving the reader wondering where that aspect existed. Regardless, we are introduced to a character that is intriguing but slightly mysterious. As we learn more about the situation, a Japan in self-enforced isolation, we begin to see how Toru influences a change from what was to what could be. Toru, a "fisherman", brought back an awareness of the western world along with the industry and technology that was not present in Japan.

Forced to struggle against a society opposed to change, in the interest of protecting the very same society, Toru works to bring a sweeping industrial revolution and allow Japan to preserve their independence from western powers. An engaging story, with relatable characters, Stephanie has created a delightful "what if" and I look forward to returning to Toru's Japan in the future.