Beautiful and layered story. I requested this book without any expectations and was not let down. The main character is complex and throughout the story really grows onto you. I wish I could read the book again for the first time.
The descriptions of historical Japan makes the book even more enjoyable.

I thought this was a beautiful book. The main character is a perfect mix of poet and warrior because of his parents, and the complexity and nuances of their personality and development were really interesting to read. Pairing that with a wonderfully written story created an excellent novel that was a joy to read.

Matsuo’s story is a beautifully layered journey of identity, duty, and self-expression. With a samurai father and a poet mother, Matsuo walks a path that blends swordsmanship with verse, leading to both external conflicts and internal reckonings. The Samurai of the Red Carnation moves quickly for historical fiction, coming in under 300 pages, yet delivers a rich emotional experience. The poetry woven throughout the narrative adds depth and intimacy, making Matsuo’s struggle to live authentically all the more powerful. Thank you for the advanced copy—I thoroughly enjoyed the read.

It's late 12th century Japan and our hero Matsuo is on a journey. We meet him as a child and follow the influences of his parents, his teachers and acquaintances as he goes through life. Particularly, we see his love for poetry and there are numerous examples in the novel. It's written with an omnipresent narrator and little dialogue asides from the spoken poetry "slams". As the novel ends, we see Matsuo in action in the Genpei war.

Read this for a novel set in an unusual time period with an unusual narrative style. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Rich descriptions and a strong sense of place make this book a sensory experience. It unfolds slowly, but the atmosphere builds beautifully. Best enjoyed when you’re in the mood for something quiet and reflective.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

“Deep inside your heart,
Said the master to his boy,
I behold your choice:
A finely honed blade of steel
Or the cutting edge of words?”

“The verse was a tanka…a ‘short song’ in the tradition of waka poetry, composed of alternating lines of five and seven syllables. It was Mother who had introduced Matsuo to…this exquisite art…Nothing, it seemed to (Matsuo) could better express the beauty that inhabited all things.” Father was a tsunamono, “a gentleman warrior…commanding officer, public servant and keeper of the law” in the Medieval Japanese Province of Aki. Honor was everything to Father. Matsuo seemed destined to complete five years of training leading to a military career.

Military school for Matsuo lacked “intellectual stimulation” and he felt surrounded by a “climate of mediocrity.” Although he would uphold the warrior code, when his parents died, he pursued a battle of words, not swords. Matsuo, warrior-poet, sought the tutelage of Yosai, a raggedly clothed Buddhist monk. His tenure with Yosai elevated his tankas to new heights, however, betrayal caused Matsuo to rethink this association. The Equinox Contest at the Royal Palace in Kyoto, an uta-awase tournament of tankas, as described by Yosai, became Masuo’s quest.

The tanka contest would consist of elimination rounds where contestants would immediately author and perform tankas based upon topics randomly selected. Topics reflected nature (especially the moon), love and longing, and human emotion. The competitors came from all walks of life. The winner would captain a team of poets at His Majesty’s Birthday.

Matsuo’s rocky route to Kyoto was filled with poor choices and rumbles with a criminal gang. His life was spared by demonstrating expertise in archery and swordplay. His reputation as a weaver of words would precede him as he visited inns and festivals performing heartfelt and/or bawdy tankas. His most endearing stint was as a gardener, a job he cherry picked in order to communicate, incognito by tanka, with his unrequited love. Daily, he would hide a tanka, enclosed with a red carnation or red ribbon, in the Moon Garden. She, in turn, would compose a tanka in response. The moniker “Red Carnation” was born.

“The Samurai of the Red Carnation” by Denis Theriault depicts an intellectual battle of poetic wits as well as war on the battlefield. There were warrior-monks, bandits and thievery, masters of disguise and tales of love and the lovelorn. The read was heavier on thought provoking poetry; the tome an absolute delight!

“Walking to the well
The small boy sticks out his tongue
In the snow-filled air
A flake alights as water
Another melts on his nose.”

“My love laughs out loud
Like a child in summer rain
A pearl of dew dropped
Into a red carnation
Such is my true love’s nature.”

Thank you Pushkin Press and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

⭐3.25 - This was a unique and contemplative novel that blended the rich Japanese cultural heritage, while chronicling Matsuo's journey as a warrior-poet whose life was shaped by family, love, loss, mentorship and betrayal.

The early chapters laid the foundation for the infleunces that shaped him as a warrior and a poet. It gave insight into his values, sense of duty, and interests that led him forward on his journey, as well as rooted him through various challenges and experiences in life. Family foundations and values serve to ground us, and give us something to come back to even if we lose our way. That is what I felt the story showed in the case of Matsuo who lost his way many times, and commited acts that he wasn't proud of. The story exhibited certain harsh realities of life that we undergo at different stages, and the internal struggles that arise, creating a shift in who we are. Guilt, heartbreak, grief are heavy burdens to carry and they fundamentally change us.

There were philosophical undertones in this book, and I thrououghly enjoyed the realistic exposition it presented when it came to the observations and complexities of human behavior, self-reflection, and emotional transformation.

It was interesting to see how Matsuo's growth as a warrior was fuelled when he first came across the writings of a warrior-poet. It highlighted the fact that various interests have the potential to come together in unique ways, and all skills we cultivate in our life serve their purpose.

The last third of the book was quite active in it's plot, the pacing and tension picked up with the events that unfolded - I found it engaging and fascinating. I loved all the poetic battles in the end, they were quite creative and artistic. The final chapters of the book were impactful in how they showcased the forging of one's identity through the choices we make throughout our lives, and the rough journey's that can lead us down unexpected roads - to eventually achieve our purposes.

The narrative style of this book is quite different, there were hardlly any dialogues. Sometimes I felt emotionally disconnected from parts of the story as it felt like I was looking in from the outside, rather than being immersed in those scenes. More dialogues in some sections could have helped, but overall I enojyed trying out a different writing style, and I thought it suited the story well.

My biggest issue were all the "humorous" poems and certain writings related to specific phases of Matsuo's journey that were too crude in their presentation and language for my taste. It felt jarring and detracted from the otherwise thoughtful tone of the story.

Overall, this was an enjoyable and unique read in the realm of Asian/Eastern cultural fiction.

I just finished The Samurai of the Red Carnation by Denis Thériault, and I was completely captivated. The novel beautifully blends historical fiction with a deeply personal journey, following a young man named Kenji as he navigates loyalty, honor, and his identity in a time of war. Thériault’s writing is vivid and evocative, and he does a fantastic job of immersing the reader in both the cultural and emotional landscape of the story.

What I really loved was the emotional depth of the characters. Kenji’s internal struggle, torn between duty and personal desire, was powerful and relatable. The pacing was steady, allowing the story to unfold with tension, and I found myself rooting for the characters as they faced impossible odds.

Overall, The Samurai of the Red Carnation is a beautifully crafted and thought-provoking novel. If you enjoy historical fiction with complex characters and a deep emotional core, this is definitely one to check out.

Matsuo, a young man, who's an admirer and lover of art and poetry is trapped between two worlds, one where his heart resides, on art and the other where his duty resides, as a samurai. A heartwarming throwback to the old japanese era, this book is a sensual blend of poetry and adventure. I might say that it's not for everyone, for this books has a definite amount of poetry and for someone to fully immerse and enjoy the book, they must not start reading the book thinking its a story of a regular samurai. Filled with poetic wisdom and the flow and pace of the japanese philosophy, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will recommend to those whom I'm sure will enjoy the book!

7/10
The story of young Matsuo, torn between his admiration of art and beauty and his duties as a samurai, is a captivating blend of well-researched history, picturesque poetry, and a pinch of magic. This love letter to Japanese culture is not an easy read, but it rewards the reader with a solid dose of emotion and reflection. Mostly unhurried like the Zen meditation that the main character tries to learn, and at times violent like a precise cut of his katana. The bittersweet ending leaves a lot of questions, but also a little bit of hope.

Definitely not for everyone, but I highly recommend giving it a try.

I really enjoyed this story. Not only is it a great immersion into feudal Japan, it's also a deep exploration of traditional Japanese poetry. I really enjoyed Matsuo's journey, both in poetry and in life. While I wasn't hugely enamoured by the romance (obsession?) as the driver, the path it led Matsuo on was compelling and emotional.

The storytelling was punchy, made gentle by the lyrical, poetic writing style. I found the ending satisfying and enjoyed spending time in Thériault's imagined world.

The story reminded me of Ghost of Tsushima crossed with elements of Red Dead Redemption 2 with the art of waka poetry at its core. A refreshingly original tale and not like anything else I've read to date.

Gorgeous tale of adventure in old Japan. Adored the sense of place, and the story sort of reminded me of reading old adventure novels like The Three Musketeers, albeit in a wholly different world. Would love to read more of Theriault in the future!!

This book was somewhat good, though I feel it could have been developed more. The book centers around a boy named Matsuo, who is being trained to be a samurai, However, he wishes to be a poet instead. Without giving anything else away, the book hits several emotional beats very well, and is excellent for any readers who want a historical fiction novel that delves into romance too. Please be aware of hoe emotional this book was- it caught me off guard, and I had a much different idea of what the story would be. The prose here is excellent- it paints a very vivid picture of Japan, and it is extraordinarily clear that the author was very familiar with the historical setting, and did a lot of research into creating the story. Please be ready for any number of plot twists in this journey, but also be ready to fall in love with some characters- and to extremely dislike others. Happy reading, signing off! Please take of yourself :)

this was a beautifully woven tale of poetry, passion, and destiny set in medieval Japan. blending historical adventure with a touch of fantasy (i loved this pairing!), this story follows Matsuo, a warrior who chooses words over swords, embarking on a journey of love, betrayal, and self-discovery. read this if you love lyrical storytelling and historical intrigue!

What a fantastic book! The first one I have read by this author but definitely can't wait to read more! The characters stay with you long after you finish the book. Highly recommend!