16 December 2009, 11:04 pm
Another review from 2007, dated but still relevant and compelling, by Lesley Smith:
“Everyone has books that they grew up reading, titles which have as much power over them as adults as they did when seven years old. I’d love to say that Dragon Sword and Wind Child (空色勾玉 or Sora Iro Magatama) was one of the ones I read as a child but from reading it I can guess how children in Japan must have felt. … Dragon Sword and Wind Child is [Ogiwara's] debut novel and was translated by Cathy Hirano back in the early nineties and up until Viz republished it, English copies have been almost impossible to find.”
Read the rest of the review at:
Through the Eyes of a Journalist
You’ll be pleased to learn that VIZ has Cathy back to work on Dragon Sword’s sequel, Hakuchou Iden. Let’s all wish for the best!
15 December 2009, 9:08 pm
This is a comparatively older review, but nonetheless wonderful.
Reviewed by Katherine Dacey:
“It’s a testament to Ogiwara’s skill as a writer (and Cathy Hirano’s skill as a translator) that casual readers will still enjoy Dragon Sword without any knowledge of Japanese history or religion. Ogiwara spins an engaging yarn that evokes the spirit of Shinto mythology without ever sounding stuffy or archaic. A delightful read for fantasy lovers of all ages, whether you’re a Tolkein buff or a Takahashi fan.”
Read the full article at:
PopCultureShock
13 December 2009, 4:53 pm
I always meant to link good reviews of the English translation!
Kathy Hassinger reviews Dragon Sword and Wind Child:
“It’s been a long time since I didn’t want a book to end. When I finished reading The Lord of the Rings and all of its appendices I felt like crying. It wasn’t just that the story was over, but because the magical age in the world of the story was ending. The only one who seemed cool with that was my favorite character, Sam Gamgee.
I had the same feeling after finishing Noriko Ogiwara’s Dragon Sword and Wind Child (VIZ Media LLC). I didn’t feel like crying, but I had that same sort of wistful feeling. An age of the world in the story was ending, and even though all of the threads in the story were tied up very neatly, I wanted the story to continue. I wanted to know what happened to the characters after that.”
Full review can be found at:
Otaku News (Japanese pop culture news site)
Spilt Ink (Kathy Hassinger’s blog)
8 December 2009, 11:40 am
I feel as though my birthday has come early: chucklingowl sent me the elusive album, Sora no Iro! I am utterly grateful.
And now, the Sorairo Magatama Musical page is more or less complete! Enjoy the music here.
Saya’s actress has such a lovely clear voice, and ZABADAK’s melodies are extremely compelling. It’s a variety of styles, too, from traditional Japanese folk, to rock, to ballad. I’m completely in love with the soundtrack.
2 October 2009, 7:19 am
The Magatama trilogy, that is, and hopefully not H1N1, although the swine flu is going around campus and I am currently as sick as a puppy. Here’s hoping it’s just a bad cold. :]
I have started reading Hakuchou Iden, so expect The Books section to be updated.