Comments for Lesley Downer

Comment on Concubines, courtesans and geishas by Lesley

Lesley — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:38:13 +0000

Dear Lenia,
Thank you very much for your message. I’m glad you enjoy my blog and also glad you enjoy karate. Japanese culture is indeed entirely fascinating and I think by doing karate you’re getting a real feel for it - that focus, that one-pointedness is a wonderful thing to develop in one’s life. Just out of interest, in The Last Concubine I write about the halberd, the women’s weapon. The Japanese word for halberd is naginata and if you google it you may find a local sports centre where you can try it. I found naginata classes in the East End of London!
I do hope you manage to go to Japan in the end. You’d be amazed how cheap it is once you’ve made the initial outlay for the plane ticket.
Good luck and best wishes,
Lesley

Comment on Concubines, courtesans and geishas by Lénia

Lénia — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:41:46 +0000

Hello, Lesley.

First of all, thank you so much for everything you’ve written on the Ancient Japan subject.
I’m a 29-year-old Portuguese woman who is deeply in love with this theme, though I don’t know how this passion begun. I’ve been reading about Geisha, Samurai, Shogun, and so on for such long time now… And I find it so captivating that I can’t get enough of this. I’ve never been to Japan, but this is my “dream-trip”, to accomplish some day. This passion has taken me to unbelievable experiences: I started practicing Karate a few years ago and I still see it as a way of living the old Japan instead of being a mere sport.

Enough about me, now. I discovered your website and, therefore, your blog and was happy to see that it was possible to contact you and leave you a message.
So, congratulations on everything you’ve done for us, people who love Japan and are thrilled to read and learn more and more about this astonishing culture. You’re a blessing to us. Thank you so much.

Best Regards,

Lénia

Comment on The Last Concubine - tour dates 2008 by Vena

Vena — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:06:44 +0000

well,i would say the last concubine is a very nice book and i have not read such a nice book since long ago.

Comment on The Last Concubine tour dates summer 2008 by Louisa Anderson

Louisa Anderson — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 11:02:46 +0000

I can’t wait for the tour to come to Chichester - does anyone know when tickets go on sale?

Comment on The Last Concubine by Authors galore..

Authors galore.. — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:51:15 +0000

[...] Set in one of the most tumultuous eras in Japanese history, Sachi’s story is a potent mix of adventure and high romance. More than a love story, it also chronicles Japan’s extraordinary change from a medieval to a modern country in a matter of years. From the timeless beauty of the Women’s Palace in Edo to bloody battles fought outside its walls, The Last Concubine is an epic evocation of a country in revolution, and of a young woman’s quest to find out who she really is. From the Author’s blog. [...]

Comment on The Last Concubine tour dates 2008 updated again - and other events! by Lesley

Lesley — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:58:32 +0000

Dear Anita - and anyone else who wants to contact me. Best way is to e mail me at lesley@lesleydowner.com and I will get straight back to you.
Best wishes,
Lesley

Comment on The Last Concubine tour dates 2008 updated again - and other events! by anita saewitz

anita saewitz — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:02:32 +0000

Hello Lesley

Have lost your email address —
am searching for Jerome Burne’s london telephone no– the one I have does
not seem to work.

Hope all is well with you– its been ages—I no longer produce films– I am
art consulting and am trying to get over to London– in late July-
know anyone who might want to trade– my exchange just canceled.

Cheers
Anita Saewitz

Comment on The Last Concubine tour dates 2008 latest latest - and other events. by Lesley

Lesley — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:14:20 +0000

Thank you for your message, Rosita, and for your interest in The Last Concubine! Message for you and for everyone that would like to buy The Last Concubine: the very best way to get it is through amazon.co.uk. Go to the home page of this website, scroll down to the book cover of The Last Concubine and click on ‘buy from amazon.co.uk’. Amazon will ship it to you no matter where you are in the world.
Enjoy Osaka! It’s a wonderful city!
Best wishes,
Lesley

Comment on The Last Concubine tour dates 2008 latest latest - and other events. by rosita

rosita — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:23:47 +0000

dear lesley, i would like have your latest book my last concubine but i can’t found it in osaka. all big bookstore i’ve been they said they havent get yet from the dealer…. as you know i like read about japanesse culture & story. i’m from indonesia and im married with japanesse guy & i have so many novel story about geisha. if you dont mind for give me a sign how i can get that book in osaka.

thanks for your help,

cheers,
Rosita

Comment on The Last Concubine - tour dates 2008 by Lesley

Lesley — Sat, 10 May 2008 07:54:54 +0000

Thanks for your interest! I’ll be speaking at the Chichester Festivities, which is pretty near Petersfield, on Thursday July 10th at 6 pm. See http://www.chifest.org.uk. For all my speaking engagements, please click on News and Tour Dates. Thank you again!