The discussion turned to language because in the book the Dutch are trading with the Japanese and language is the main problem between them. In the first part, the Japanese seem kind of shallow and silly, but in the second part the Japanese characters speak in their native language and gain a new level of personality.
Not many people finished the book, whether because it was too long or because they couldn't get into it. I think if might be a book that really hits you right or wrong from the very start. My one hang up was present tense in a historical fiction novel.
We had candy sushi (awesome!) and a great time.
Have you read it? What did you think?
