Instruct: Classify Amazon reviews into positive or negative sentiment
Query: One of my favorite novels....

I first read this book when I was in college. I'd always been interested in Asian culture & history, and I picked it up in a book store on a whim. It's well over a thousand pages in length, but once you get past the beginning, it's hard to put down. Over the years I've recommended it to many friends and almost all of them have enjoyed it.The novel can best be classified as historical fiction. In the story, European sailors are first starting to discover Japan. Throughout the story you get to know an English sailor who gradually becomes accepted in Japanese society. The story is filled with romance and action, while at the same time providing an overview of the Japanese samurai culture.If you've ever had an interest in Japanese culture, I strongly recommend this book. While the historical elements are fictional, the time period is accurately described and you can get an interesting feel for the period.