---
product_id: 400263868
title: "The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet"
price: "¥7520"
currency: JPY
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 5
url: https://www.desertcart.jp/products/400263868-the-thousand-autumns-of-jacob-de-zoet
store_origin: JP
region: Japan
---

# Set in 1799 Dejima, Japan’s Western gateway Man Booker Prize longlist 2010 647 reviews, 4.4⭐ avg The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet

**Price:** ¥7520
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 📖 Unlock the timeless allure of Japan’s hidden past — don’t miss the novel everyone’s talking about!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet
- **How much does it cost?** ¥7520 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.jp](https://www.desertcart.jp/products/400263868-the-thousand-autumns-of-jacob-de-zoet)

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## Why This Product

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## Key Features

- • **Complex & Rewarding Read:** Sophisticated prose and a layered plot that challenges and captivates discerning readers.
- • **Genre-Blending Narrative:** A seamless fusion of historical fiction, romance, and subtle fantasy elements for a unique literary journey.
- • **Award-Worthy Craftsmanship:** Four years of meticulous writing by a globally influential author, longlisted for the prestigious Man Booker Prize.
- • **Masterful Historical Immersion:** Experience Feudal Japan with exquisite worldbuilding and authentic period detail.
- • **Critically Acclaimed Bestseller:** Highly rated with 647 reviews and a strong presence in historical romance and literary fiction charts.

## Overview

The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is a critically acclaimed historical novel by David Mitchell, set in 1799 Dejima, Japan’s sole Western trading post. Blending rich historical detail with a compelling love story and subtle fantastical elements, this Man Booker Prize longlisted work showcases four years of meticulous craftsmanship. Praised for its nuanced prose and intricate plot, it’s a must-read for lovers of literary fiction, historical romance, and immersive storytelling.

## Description

By the New York Times bestselling author of The Bone Clocks and Cloud Atlas | Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize In 2007, Time magazine named him one of the most influential novelists in the world. He

Review: Excellent historical fiction... - So far I've written reviews about fantasy, science fiction and horror novels and novellas, but this time I'll write a short review about a historical novel, because The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is of exceptional quality and it contains a couple of slightly fantastical elements. At first I wasn't sure if I should write this review or not, because this novel isn't speculative fiction, but I decided to write it, because The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is a damn good novel (and I think that several fantasy readers will enjoy reading it). David Mitchell is an interesting author, because he writes different kind of books and he isn't afraid to blend different genres (for example, Cloud Atlas is a combination of mainstream fiction and science fiction). His new novel, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, is a successful and satisfying combination of love story and historical adventure. It's literary fiction at its best and it's David Mitchell's best book so far. David Mitchell spent four years working on this novel and it shows in the text: all the small details are accurate and believable, the story is intriguing and the prose is nuanced, eloquent and beautiful. It's almost amazing how beautifully the author creates a fascinating and stunning vision of Feudal Japan. By using historical details, exquisite worldbuilding and excellent characterization, he brings the story to life. Here's a few words about the plot and the characters: The events take place in Dejima (in Nagasaki Harbor) in 1799. The artificial island of Dejima is Japan's only window to the West. The main characters are Jacob de Zoet, a clerk and Orito Aibagawa, a midwife. Jacod de Zoet tries to earn his fortune in Dejima, but fate has different things in store for him, because he falls in love with Orito Aibagawa. Uzaemon Ogawa is also an important character, because he's an interpreter. The author writes fluently about the lives of Jacob de Zoet, Orito Aibagawa and Uzaemon Ogawa. He also writes fluently about political intrigue and dark cults (dark and mysterious cults add a slightly fantastical element to this novel). The author has divided this book into three parts: "The Bride for Whom We Dance", "A Mountain Fastness" and "The Master of Go". The first part tells how Jacob de Zoet arrives to Dejima, the second part tells what happens to Origo Aibagawa in the mountains and the third part tells how things end. Each part is different and together they form a solid novel. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet isn't a novel for hasty readers, because it's a complex and sophisticatedly written novel. It demands quite a lot from its reader, but it's worth reading, because it's a rewarding reading experience. If you like good prose and appreciate a gradually developing plot, you'll love this novel. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet was longlisted for the 2010 Man Booker Prize for Fiction, but unfortunately it wasn't selected to the shortlist. In my opinion this novel should've won the Booker Prize, because it's a fascinating and extremely well written historical novel. By the way, if somebody happens to wonder where the name of this book comes from, it's a reference to one of the native poetical names for Japan, The Land of a Thousand Autumns. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is one of the best historical novels I've ever read. It should be read by everybody, who's interested in history (and especially Japanese history). It can also be recommended to fantasy readers, because the second part of this novel reads almost like a fantasy book.
Review: Excellent historical novel about Nagasaki/ Dejima - Well written and well crafted tale set around 1800 in Nagasaki when the Dutch had a trading monopoly with the Japanese. Note there is a list of characters the back of the book that I did not find until I had finished it. Thoroughly recommend this yarn, a good page turner.

## Features

- The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #137,908 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #521 in Historical Romance #777 in European Literature #1,096 in Literary Fiction |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 647 Reviews |

## Images

![The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/814QgHATIsL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent historical fiction...
*by '***' on 10 October 2011*

So far I've written reviews about fantasy, science fiction and horror novels and novellas, but this time I'll write a short review about a historical novel, because The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is of exceptional quality and it contains a couple of slightly fantastical elements. At first I wasn't sure if I should write this review or not, because this novel isn't speculative fiction, but I decided to write it, because The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is a damn good novel (and I think that several fantasy readers will enjoy reading it). David Mitchell is an interesting author, because he writes different kind of books and he isn't afraid to blend different genres (for example, Cloud Atlas is a combination of mainstream fiction and science fiction). His new novel, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, is a successful and satisfying combination of love story and historical adventure. It's literary fiction at its best and it's David Mitchell's best book so far. David Mitchell spent four years working on this novel and it shows in the text: all the small details are accurate and believable, the story is intriguing and the prose is nuanced, eloquent and beautiful. It's almost amazing how beautifully the author creates a fascinating and stunning vision of Feudal Japan. By using historical details, exquisite worldbuilding and excellent characterization, he brings the story to life. Here's a few words about the plot and the characters: The events take place in Dejima (in Nagasaki Harbor) in 1799. The artificial island of Dejima is Japan's only window to the West. The main characters are Jacob de Zoet, a clerk and Orito Aibagawa, a midwife. Jacod de Zoet tries to earn his fortune in Dejima, but fate has different things in store for him, because he falls in love with Orito Aibagawa. Uzaemon Ogawa is also an important character, because he's an interpreter. The author writes fluently about the lives of Jacob de Zoet, Orito Aibagawa and Uzaemon Ogawa. He also writes fluently about political intrigue and dark cults (dark and mysterious cults add a slightly fantastical element to this novel). The author has divided this book into three parts: "The Bride for Whom We Dance", "A Mountain Fastness" and "The Master of Go". The first part tells how Jacob de Zoet arrives to Dejima, the second part tells what happens to Origo Aibagawa in the mountains and the third part tells how things end. Each part is different and together they form a solid novel. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet isn't a novel for hasty readers, because it's a complex and sophisticatedly written novel. It demands quite a lot from its reader, but it's worth reading, because it's a rewarding reading experience. If you like good prose and appreciate a gradually developing plot, you'll love this novel. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet was longlisted for the 2010 Man Booker Prize for Fiction, but unfortunately it wasn't selected to the shortlist. In my opinion this novel should've won the Booker Prize, because it's a fascinating and extremely well written historical novel. By the way, if somebody happens to wonder where the name of this book comes from, it's a reference to one of the native poetical names for Japan, The Land of a Thousand Autumns. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is one of the best historical novels I've ever read. It should be read by everybody, who's interested in history (and especially Japanese history). It can also be recommended to fantasy readers, because the second part of this novel reads almost like a fantasy book.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent historical novel about Nagasaki/ Dejima
*by C***. on 10 June 2024*

Well written and well crafted tale set around 1800 in Nagasaki when the Dutch had a trading monopoly with the Japanese. Note there is a list of characters the back of the book that I did not find until I had finished it. Thoroughly recommend this yarn, a good page turner.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A delightful read. Sorry to have finished so soon.
*by J***O on 16 April 2011*

Wow. I had a wonderful time with this. Captivating characters, extreme situations, how will it all come out. Not a disappointing ending either.

## Frequently Bought Together

- The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet: A Novel
- Cloud Atlas: A Novel
- The Bone Clocks: A Novel

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*Product available on Desertcart Japan*
*Store origin: JP*
*Last updated: 2026-08-14*