"Princess Masako: Prisoner of the Chrysanthemum Throne" by Ben Hills

[zinzen]

I would like to know if the book will be translated into French, Thanks

[scooter]

Originally Posted by wlee

A letter from the Imperial Household Agency on "Princess Masako"(Ben Hills)

Thanks for finding this thread. I tried to find it in response to someone else in another thread without luck.

[lyndaW]

Well our small town Library finally got the book for me. I think it was very well written. I finally finished it, what an eye-opener. Its hard to believe that her father allowed his daughter (who kept saying no to CP Naruhito for 5-years) to wed into this type of life. Although Masako's father has been well compensated for his daughter giving up her life, now a Judge @ the Hague and living a very nice life, hope her father appreciates her sacrifice, but probably thinks its his right. Oh well, at least she has a supportive husband (although he must do all the Royal duties alone) and a lovely daughter.

[kalnel]

Has anyone read the Ben Hills book "Princess Masako, Prisoner of the Chrysanthemum Throne" yet? (I saw several references to it, but no one actually said they'd read it.)

I downloaded it from eReader the other day, and it's interesting, but so far, I'm not too impressed with the writing or accuracy, at least with his reporting about Masako's life in the U.S.

For instance, he talks about her attending Belmont High School, where "the uniform is gangsta rapper chic -- forage caps on backwards, baggy pants, football jumpers and sneakers." I have no idea what this school is like today, but I'm certain that no one was wearing that back in the late 70s and early 80s when Masako was a student there -- the first rap songs hadn't even been written back then, and kids didn't dress like that in those days.

He paints a similar picture of Harvard as some kind of rundown, urban Sodom-and-Gomorrah where parents would be afraid to send their children. It's just not so. While it's true that it is in an urban area that has "urban problems" like anywhere, it's a beautiful campus and a lively, student-oriented community.

He also makes it sounds like living in the dormitories at Harvard was some kind of public housing or orphanage that Masako was relegated to because her parents were out of the country. Most students live on campus, especially as freshmen -- in fact, many universities demand it, so kids can get into campus life.

For all I know, the rest of the book may be entirely accurate, but I really have to wonder given the degree to which he is spinning the descriptions I can confirm firsthand.

I'm curious to hear what other readers think.

[dragonsfire8]

Originally Posted by kalnel

Has anyone read the Ben Hills book "Princess Masako, Prisoner of the Chrysanthemum Throne" yet? (I saw several references to it, but no one actually said they'd read it.)

I downloaded it from eReader the other day, and it's interesting, but so far, I'm not too impressed with the writing or accuracy, at least with his reporting about Masako's life in the U.S.

For instance, he talks about her attending Belmont High School, where "the uniform is gangsta rapper chic -- forage caps on backwards, baggy pants, football jumpers and sneakers." I have no idea what this school is like today, but I'm certain that no one was wearing that back in the late 70s and early 80s when Masako was a student there -- the first rap songs hadn't even been written back then, and kids didn't dress like that in those days.

He paints a similar picture of Harvard as some kind of rundown, urban Sodom-and-Gomorrah where parents would be afraid to send their children. It's just not so. While it's true that it is in an urban area that has "urban problems" like anywhere, it's a beautiful campus and a lively, student-oriented community.

He also makes it sounds like living in the dormitories at Harvard was some kind of public housing or orphanage that Masako was relegated to because her parents were out of the country. Most students live on campus, especially as freshmen -- in fact, many universities demand it, so kids can get into campus life.

For all I know, the rest of the book may be entirely accurate, but I really have to wonder given the degree to which he is spinning the descriptions I can confirm firsthand.

I'm curious to hear what other readers think.

Wellllllll.....I read it. I dont know what the US school system or lifestyle is or was like, but I have a sneaking suspicion its not entirely correct.

For one thing, some of the the facts seem not quite right since some of it quite common knowledge, and he still made a big mistake about it.

But other than that, I have no idea what else in his book is true or not.

What's your opinion about it?

[Charlotte1]

Originally Posted by kalnel

Has anyone read the Ben Hills book "Princess Masako, Prisoner of the Chrysanthemum Throne" yet? (I saw several references to it, but no one actually said they'd read it.)

I downloaded it from eReader the other day, and it's interesting, but so far, I'm not too impressed with the writing or accuracy, at least with his reporting about Masako's life in the U.S.

For instance, he talks about her attending Belmont High School, where "the uniform is gangsta rapper chic -- forage caps on backwards, baggy pants, football jumpers and sneakers." I have no idea what this school is like today, but I'm certain that no one was wearing that back in the late 70s and early 80s when Masako was a student there -- the first rap songs hadn't even been written back then, and kids didn't dress like that in those days.

He paints a similar picture of Harvard as some kind of rundown, urban Sodom-and-Gomorrah where parents would be afraid to send their children. It's just not so. While it's true that it is in an urban area that has "urban problems" like anywhere, it's a beautiful campus and a lively, student-oriented community.

He also makes it sounds like living in the dormitories at Harvard was some kind of public housing or orphanage that Masako was relegated to because her parents were out of the country. Most students live on campus, especially as freshmen -- in fact, many universities demand it, so kids can get into campus life.

For all I know, the rest of the book may be entirely accurate, but I really have to wonder given the degree to which he is spinning the descriptions I can confirm firsthand.

I'm curious to hear what other readers think.

I read it when it first came out in Australia, a few months before its US release and I've written about the fact that there are a number of errors in the earlier threads about Masako. The errors I pointed out weren't about the US school system so it's interesting to see even that was written about incorrectly!

Search through the older threads and you'll find reference to the book, not in the book thread though! I've only just found that!

Masako is living in a very conservative royal family but Ben Hills didn't report it accurately. He has too many errors and distortion of facts so they will fit with the scenario that he wants to paint. Unfortunately this then discredits his book as too many people are able to identify the errors he makes.

[HRH Abigail]

Originally Posted by bbb

The Sydney Morning Herald Blogs: Stay in Touch

the sydney morning herald is reporting the publisher of hills book about masako is getting pressure from rightwing nationalist in japan. hope he stands firm and publishes anyway, the book is selling well all over the world and many in japan are buying it over the internet (don't you know the IHA is twitching not being in control)
*quote from article
*Hills was delighted last month when a new publisher, Akira Kitagawa, picked up the contract, and declared that he would not be influenced by any official pressures
*Kitagawa sent this email to Hills: "Just now, two black cars with ultra-nationalistic slogans on them are parking besides the building where my company address is. They are shouting hysterically 'Stop the publication of Princess Masako' with huge loud speakers. Policemen are just watching them and let them do as much

disgusting!!!!

Well, I liked the book alot, when I checked it out of our Library System to read awhile back, about two months ago now.

I will buy it, for my personal collection, when it comes out in paperback, here in the USA, tomorrow.

I didn't think it was scandalous, at all, really!

It was honest, and sympathetic towards The Crown Princess, actually.

I can recommend that everyone here at least READ the book before passing judgment upon it, please.

Thank you,

-- Abbie

[HRH Abigail]

Originally Posted by linda85

I saw on another board about a new book that is being published by an author named Ben Hills. It is being published by Random House in AUS. and by Penguin in the US in January.

I went to Amazon.com and you can preorder it if you like. The synopsis sounded interesting.

Linda 85

I just purchased the PAPERBACK version of this book, TODAY!

I read the hardback version of it earlier, having checked it out of our library, and decided I wanted to OWN the book.

I can recommend it to everyone!
It's a heckuva read.



-- Abbie

[norwegianne]

Just a quick note.

For anyone who has been planning to read this, or for those who have already read it and want to reread and discuss it some more : The TRF Book Club will be reading and discussing this book together in July.