Understanding Novel Introductions - What They Mean and Interpretation

Although reading can be a great thing in so many ways, often, the books we read do not always make sense the more that we get into them. However, in many cases, this can be attributed to the fact that we must know how to read the introductions, and how to get the most out of the opening chapters of any novel. While this is not a difficult thing, it is something that we sometimes forget about. Keeping that in mind, perhaps if we use an example, and illustrate one way to do this, it will allow others to better understand the opening chapters of a book, and how those opening chapters can become so important in the later stages of a novel. In order to illustrate this, here are placed chapter summaries and analysis from the first seven chapters of Sujata Massey's detective fiction story, "The Samurai's Daughter". By learning how to read and properly interpret the introduction to a novel, we can better understand and enjoy literature as a whole.

Chapter 1

In chapter one, we get the basic introduction to the book and learn about several of the main characters. The book opens with Rei Shimura (the main character) eating lunch with her father, Toshiro. We learn that her father is a psychiatrist, and she specializes in antiques. We also learn that Rei normally lives on Tokyo, although she has taken a vacation to America to be with her family for Christmas. We also learn that her on and off again boyfriend is coming to stay for the holidays. We are also introduced to Manami, the Japanese doctor who is living with them. Although the first chapter is short, it does serve as an important introduction for the novel, and there is perhaps much that we can gain from these few short pages. There is also a hint that perhaps Rei's father does not approve of her boyfriend, which may come to play a role later in the novel. Although only time will tell for sure.

Chapter 2

The main events of chapter two concern Rei picking up her boyfriend, Hugh, from the San Francisco airport. Hugh is a lawyer, and is being relocated to Japan to work on an important case, although we are not yet told what the case concerns. The two talk about their relationship in the past, and we get the hint that this time it may be more serious, and that the two are actually going to consider making a relationship work. We also see Rei's family's home for the first time. It is an upscale Victorian house, and sits in the middle of an important and economically advantaged area. Of course, at this point, we may be able to pick out that there will be some differences for the two, as they have been raised in different ways, and the obvious shock that Hugh shows at her home may be an indication that money will come into play in the future. However, we are also interested in knowing how Rei's family will react to Hugh, although we can assume that they have met each other before. One thing is for certain, it should be a very interesting Christmas holiday at the Shimura household.

Chapter 3

As chapter three opens, we see Hugh eating lunch with the Shimura family, and the apparently warm and welcoming reception that they give him. This chapter also marks the first time that we meet Manami, although it is difficult to shake the impression that there may be something slightly unusual about her. However, soon after eating, Hugh takes a shower and runs off to continue his business meetings, which we must assume our about the case for which he is relocating to Tokyo. When he leaves, Rei begins to examine some of the antiques in the house, and is given some curious and somewhat short answers by her father about a particular Japanese sword that seems to have been in the family for some time. This may be an indication that later events in the novel will focus slightly on the antiques, and there may even be major events that surround them, although it is yet too soon to assume any major details.

Chapter 4

As chapter four opens, Hugh calls Rei to ask if she can pick him up from his office, so that he can run some errands. Although Rei accepts grumpily, the two drive around picking up some last minute Christmas presents and spend a long time shopping for presents for the client that Hugh is about to take them to. Although Rei is not happy with this, she regrets her anger when she finally meets the client. A poor, battered old woman who was used as a prostitute for the Japanese army. After this, we learn that Hugh's important case in Tokyo concerns this matter, although the exact subject matter of the case has yet to be picked out or examined. Certainly, this is an important chapter, and it seems that many of the events which will occur later in the book will either center around the case or have something to do with this. However, the matter of how Rei's family will understand the legal matter, and if they will offer their approval still remains to be seen.

Chapter 5

After the running of errands and the presents are given to the client, Rei and Hugh go to meet Charles Sharp (Hugh's boss) for drinks. They also meet Eric, who knew Rei when they were young teenagers. We learn that there is somewhat of a history between the two, although they were both very young at the time. Although Charles Sharp seems to be an interesting character, there is something that does not quiet seem right about him, although this may be a matter for future chapters of the book to handle. It will also be interesting to see if Eric is going to play a major role in the novel in the future, as we learn that he will also be traveling to Japan to assist as a translator in the case for which Hugh is working on. Certainly, Hugh and Eric do not seem to get along, although Rei also appears not to like him very much, despite their history together. At this point in the novel, we have been introduced to several of the major characters, and although we are not yet sure of the role they will play in the future, it will be important to remember these early interactions, as they may serve the basis for some of the future events that will occur later in the novel.

Chapter 6

Chapter six mainly concerns the Christmas dinner that is eaten by all of the family together. However, this is also the first indication that everything may not be perfect in the Shimura family, and a fight breaks out when Hugh mentions his case. Manami seems greatly opposed to the matter, and Rei's father also seems offended. He then makes the mistake of implying that Hugh should marry Rei, which makes Rei very angry. She leaves, and Hugh is left to sit with the family alone. When she returns, we see that the scene has calmed down, although everyone in the family has gone their separate ways. Still though, one cannot shake the feeling that there is something which is just a tad bit off about Manami, although we do not know what this thing is quite yet. We also learn that Rei's family may have too high of an opinion about themselves, and this may cause a problem in future. At the end of the chapter though, Rei and Hugh meet up and we realize that the relationship between them is actually very deep. Hopefully it will be able to endure past the family difficulties and the events which are sure to come later in the novel.

Chapter 7

Chapter seven proves to be very interesting indeed, and perhaps it marks the beginning of the rising action of the story. The family opens their Christmas presents in the morning, and then go to church. They relax at the church for a while and then head for home. However, they discover that someone has broken into their home while Hugh is on the phone calling his family back at home. Although nothing was stolen, someone had gone through both Manami's and Hugh's room. Nothing appears to be taken, although it is very strange why someone should break in and trouble only to look for a few documents. Although we can understand that this may be about the case if the intruder had only looked through Hugh's room and papers, far more difficult is understanding why someone would take the time to look through Manami's possessions as well. Perhaps she will be more central to this story than initially thought, or perhaps it was simply a mistake by the intruder. We can certainly guess, however, that more trouble will come from Hugh's case in the future, and this may not be as simple or clearcut as it once seemed to be. However, only the future will tell, and it will be interesting to see where the events take us.