Autumn Bridge
By Takashi Matsuoka
Bantam $180
The word 'epic' is too often the trusty companion of 'saga' when it comes to descriptions of novels encompassing more than a generation. But at more than 400 pages, covering seven centuries and with a cast of characters so large and complex the list provided before the title page is little help, Takashi Matsuoka's Autumn Bridge is unquestionably such a book.
Its construction and narrative are remarkable. Matsuoka jumps back and forth between locations - mostly within Japan, but also in the US - and centuries, juggling the viewpoints of an army of interconnected characters.
The novel requires - and rewards - concentration. It's difficult to keep track of who's who and who is related to or at war with or romantically involved with whom. It's necessary to do so, not only in the setting of most of the narrative - the mid to late 19th century - but down the generations to the 13th century.
