The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell is set in 1799 mostly on the artificial island of Dejima in Nagasaki Harbor. Jacob de Zoet works for the Dutch East Indies Company, which is the only company allowed to trade with Japan. At the time Japan is fierce in protecting its people from foreign ideas and cultures. Jacob has come to Japan to earn a fortune of sufficient size to win the hand of his wealthy fiancee back in Holland. The book is beautifully written and rich with its portrayal of life and customs in Japan at that time.

Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens (full title: Dealings with the Firm of Dombey and Son: Wholesale, Retail and for Exportation) tells the story of Paul Dombey, a heartless London merchant, and the hopes he has for his new son and the neglect and disdain he offers his adoring daughter. I'd never heard of the book before so decided to give it a try. It's a very long book and offers a vivid picture of London in the latter half of the 19th century. It also portrays a nostalgic view of education that recalls the days when the kids didn't run the schools. Most of the pedagogical practices of the time are certainly in disfavor today but I'm not sure that many of them weren't more effective than what passes for education today. Overall, an enjoyable Dickens experience.
Have you read any good books lately?