Rich in vivid imagery and gorgeous writing, Asayi: An Autistic Teen’s Journey to Topple a Shogun in Medieval Japan by Sharon Curcio is a work of art for all readers of fine fiction.
Asayi had been working as a scribe for her father for as long as she could remember. Even though she couldn’t read the language, she could copy each stroke of the characters with exquisite precision. However, Asayi never spoke; while this was suitable for her and her father, it provided difficulty for her father when he needed to arrange her marriage. When her father died, Asayi was transported back to the palace where her quiet life was suddenly embroiled in palace intrigue, political aspirations, and greed. Facing an arranged marriage, Asayi is suddenly enmeshed in the machinations of a greedy and deceitful court where she’s only got herself to rely on. Will she find the skills needed to navigate a wily court or the courage to confront those who have harmed her?
Written with profound visual imagery that alights every one of the senses, Asayi by Sharon Curcio is a gift for every reader. Reading this book brought medieval Japan to life in every way. I loved the cultural, social, architectural, and political aspects that were so deeply and beautifully woven into this story. Asayi’s vulnerability as a young girl with autism in this political landscape was so well crafted. Her journey to find herself, to find the people that she could trust, and to navigate the minefields that existed in the shogun’s empire was beautifully told. I loved the writing style in this book—it made me feel as if I was right there, moving through the world as Asayi did. The most poignant aspects of this book for me were especially in the artwork—the beautiful descriptions of the kimonos, the brush strokes of the Shogun’s artists, and the vividness of the landscapes. I lingered over each sentence and luxuriated in Sharon Curcio’s writing.
Written in such stirring detail that sweeps readers into the story, Asayi: An Autistic Teen’s Journey to Topple a Shogun in Medieval Japan by Sharon Curcio is written with skill and an intuitive imagination, along with the familiarity and allure of Japanese culture. This book is for most avid readers, but it especially brings an important light to what living with autism in a heightened political landscape would be like. Readers of historical Japanese fiction, mystery, suspense, and many various related genres will find something for themselves in this beautiful story.
Margaret Rosenthal
