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47 Ronin

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About this listen

For those looking for the real story behind the fictionalized movie account of the 47 Ronin story, this is the definitive, fascinating account of this unforgettable tale of a band of samurai who defied the Emperor to avenge the disgrace and death of their master, and faced certain death as a result. It led to one of the bloodiest episodes in Japanese history, and in the process, created a new set of heroes in Japan.

In 1701, young Lord Asano is goaded into attacking a corrupt official at the Japanese Court. Although the wound Asano inflicts is minimal, the Emperor's punishment is harsh: Lord Asano is ordered to commit seppuku, or ritual suicide. His lands are confiscated and his family is dishonored and exiled. His samurai retainers now become ronin, or masterless, and are dispersed.

These ronin are not trusted by their enemies and live under the watchful eyes of spies for months. They appear to adapt to their new circumstances by becoming tradesmen and teachers. But the ronin only seem to accept their fate. They are in fact making careful plans for revenge, biding their time until the moment to strike is right! Their deeds became Japan's most celebrated example of bravery, cunning, and loyalty in an age when samurai were heroes, and honor was worth dying for.

John Allyn's masterful retelling of 47 Ronin has long been considered the definitive version of these dramatic historical events.

©2012 Original material, Charles E. Tuttle Publishing Company, Inc. Recorded by arrangement with Tuttle Publishing. (P)2013 HighBridge Company Action & Adventure Asia Asian Classics Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Japan Literary Fiction Military Samurai War & Military World Literature Magic Revenge Epic Fantasy

Critic reviews

"Narrator David Shih expertly brings to life this ancient Japanese tale, based on real-life events. Through Shih's interpretation, the listener can hear the determination and even the occasional misgivings of the characters as they plot their revenge. Shih's performance of the noble warriors is flawless, as is his depiction of the women who work in the pleasure houses, but long for more." (AudioFile Magazine)
All stars
Most relevant
Though not completely accurate according to history books, it’s incredibly entertaining, and feels like the tv show Shogun but in book form. A famous and inspiring story, which I’ve known adequately about, even visiting Sengaku-ji, the temple where the many main characters of the story were buried in Tokyo, Japan. I thought it was gonna be a somewhat dry matter-of-fact book, but it is written as a story of people like a normal historical fiction book, making it easier and more digestive for the mind, and it never really had a dull point.
They also added details which I did not know about, and the narrator did a good job with the many voices and the tempo. Great book overall!

History springing to life.

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His voice is comes off as very soporific, very unsuited for this story, I couldn't finish it.

narrator putting me to sleep

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Having recently watched "Shogun", I was in the mood for something else set in Japan. Having never read the story of the 47 Ronin, despite being familiar with the events from studying Japanese history, I decided it was time to address the gap. I found the Foreword to be really useful in providing additional context to the book. As with so many Japanese books, there were pronunciation issues (and in some chapters I heard a slight whistle with the speaking). The story is much as I expected from what I knew from history and was quite enjoyable. I should probably track down one of the many dramatizations.

Enjoyable

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After a compelling start that sets up the conflict and stakes well, the middle portion of the book really drags. It felt like everything stalled - the plot lost momentum, and much of the action seemed to be put on hold until the inevitable climax. While the ending was satisfying and emotionally resonant, it felt like I had to wade through too much lull just to get there.

A quest for revenge, but lets not rush...

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Listening to 47 Ronin by John Allyn Jr., with a foreword by Stephen Turnbull, narrated by David Shih, is a gripping exploration of one of Japan’s most famous tales of honor, loyalty, and vengeance.

The pacing is deliberate yet engaging, carefully balancing historical context with the dramatic narrative of the 47 ronin. The story unfolds with precision, giving listeners both the depth of the cultural and political background and the tension of the climactic revenge plot.

The samurai at the heart of the story are brought to life as individuals bound by code and duty. Their motivations, courage, and sacrifice are vividly explored, giving listeners a nuanced understanding of bushido and the historical circumstances that shaped their legendary actions.

David Shih’s narration enhances every moment. His measured, expressive voice conveys honor, tension, and the gravity of each decision. Action sequences are immersive, while quieter reflective passages allow the story’s emotional weight and historical significance to resonate.

The combination of Allyn’s historical detail, Turnbull’s authoritative foreword, and Shih’s compelling narration makes 47 Ronin a powerful audiobook that educates, engages, and entertains.

A must-listen for fans of samurai history, tales of honor and revenge, and narrators who bring both tension and gravitas to legendary stories.

Honor, Revenge, and Legendary Loyalty

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