#amir and karluk

[dnines]

[ahb-writes]

Manga Review: 'A Bride's Story' #1

A Bride's Story, Vol. 1 by Kaoru Mori, William Flannagan

adventure

coming of age

culture studies

romance

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The long grasses of the Central Asian steppes. The calloused hands of an aged woodworker. Horseback archery. Tapestries and blankets and carpets containing immeasurable detail.

The visual design of Mori's A BRIDE'S STORY v1 exquisitely encapsulates the author's love story to the people and the places for which filial piety and pastoral virtue are celebrated in equal and fervent measure through one's daily work. The head scarves, the robes, and the jewelry. Kind views of nearby mountain chains, eclectic and colorful sunsets, and a purposeful reflection on the role of wildlife and nature in a family's daily persistence. The social configuration of how the story's characters engage and thrive depends as much on the detail Mori grants them, as it does the integrity and curiosity inherent in its connection to these characters' survival.

A BRIDE'S STORY v1 is a thematic reversal of the author's previous works. Instead of a relational drama flanked by social and environmental traditions that exhort unusual pressure on said drama, readers now encounter extraordinary (or atypical) social and environmental norms whose unusual relational dynamics reinforce the difference of, between, or among said traditions.

Amir, 20, is intelligent, kind, and capable. She's a little old to be the first-gifted wife, but she's a straightforward (and somewhat stubborn) woman who is eager to contribute to her new family's household. Karluk, 12, is naïve, eager, and even-tempered, but very much still a child. He's of age for marriage, but holds no points of disagreement for marrying a woman so much his elder. His quiet keenness is an interesting match for Amir's overconfidence, but the two otherwise get along quite well.

The intersection of these characters' honesty and credulity with the cultural insights pertinent to the story's 19th century origins pose an interesting narrative groove for readers.

Historically, anime and manga storytelling frequently integrates age-difference, specifically of older female characters and younger male characters, as archetypes of misbegotten maturity and accidental zeal. But that's not the case with A BRIDE'S STORY v1. Karluk isn't arrogant. Amir isn't insouciant. Karluk's family isn't ungrateful. Amir's family isn't restless (for the most part).

One readily ponders what lessons can be learned from these tales of extended families who must resolve territorial disputes and fractured familial displacement, while also, occasionally, arguing about sleeping naked in the wintertime. This manga is clearly a creative love affair for the author. Not necessarily, or exclusively, with its tremendous visual detail, but also with its reserved pacing and celebrated focus on its characters' simple humanity.

The lack of overt, page-turning drama and commercial drive makes A BRIDE'S STORY v1 a relaxing, feel-good read. Stubborn elders of Amir's family may cause a ruckus, but her new family has her support. Nomadic tribes may fuss over grazing rights, but the lands are vast enough for all peoples. And life goes on.

❯ ❯ Manga Reviews

[calletion]

how do people get over the age gap in brides story. like, karluk should be playing fortnite not having a wife 😭😭

[my-d4ndelion]

Its highly uncomfortable to witness knowing how evil the english were (and still are) idgaf abt Talas and Henry’s romance on this fact alone. Otoyomegatari truly is carried by the beautiful art and only 3 good story lines cause the main story line is abhorrent to read. I guess people get blinded by the art and prose they forget its not a masterpiece.

The need to have a white english man around in historical fiction is just… like he dont gotta be there who tf cares.

[berivan-noctisia]

I am thinking about posting at some point of time analysis of certain characters or certain elements from Bride Stories that interest me. I'd like to re-read it from the beginning and observe in more details the different protrayals of (marital) love, how relationships can be thought of and constructed, how gender is taught and performed as well as highlight narrative choices (such as showing much more positive love relationships than abusive ones even though they ought to be common at the time). I think it's fascinating to see how love is showed through little actions that vary greatly and how it helps to characterize different chracters and how it echoes or breaks traditional gender norms. And just general thoughts I'd have while reading.

I think it's just so interesting to see how Karluk's and Amir's clan's structure were build and how it affects them and their relationship (see how Karluk's father chastizes him for not being mainly enough and worrying Amir even though he's still a child, to how Amir encompasses both very feminine and masculine traits, in opposition to other women in her new village and how it worsens Karluk's confidence even if he does not want her to change), or how Pariya feels like she just can't fit the norms even if she aspires to be a good wife, how the twins cry and grieve when they have to leave their family even if they are still close, or how Smith apprehends his relationship with Talas and how his upbringing, personality and position as a the younger son shapes his experiences differently from that of his brother, the portrayal of nudity and sexual intimacy in the story, or simply the different desires and preferences portrayed (from Bekhe's uncompromising criteria based on traditional harsh masculine traits to Talas' fondness for Henry's softness and vulnerability etc.), characters are simply not looking for the same thing and I think it's interesting to take the time and observe it.

If you have any thoughts, remarks or elements that particularly touched you in the story I would love to read about it ! <3 I would also love to know if you'd be interested to read my posts and if you'd have any elements you'd like to see mentioned perhaps ? Thank you <3

[ridley-was-a-cat]

25. A Bride's Story, Vol. 10 - licensed - Karluk goes to live with Amir's nomadic clan for a season to learn falconry and bow hunting, while Smith finally reaches Ankara, where he bumps into someone he never thought he'd see again. Gorgeous as ever, and such a touching reunion.

[nzbookwyrm]

11, 17 amd 23 for the book worm ask game pls. Have a good day 💗📚

11 - Favourite historical fiction

Favourite is far to difficult to narrow down! Instead, I’ve chosen a series that’s really good, with an unusual setting - A Bride’s Tale by Kaoru Mori. It’s a manga, set in the late 19th century, near the Caspian Sea. It starts with the arranged marriage and developing relationship of Amir, who travels to marry Karluk, expanding to cover stories about Karluk’s family, his village and various other young woman living in the surrounding area, with the looming threat of Russia in the background.

17 - Favourite finished book series

Again, favourite is really hard! I’ve gone for a series I reread this year - Linesman by S K Dunstall. Character driven space opera that, over the trilogy, reshapes the political arrangement of its society, but always feels quiet and hopeful, rather than flashy.

23 - Favourite heist story book

Suddenly, I have forgotten every heist book I’ve ever read! Luckily, (because it’s sequel came out yesterday), I’ve remembered Full Speed to a Crash Landing by Beth Revis. A fun sci-fi novella, with dramatic set scenes, and a main character who you’re never quite sure you should trust what she’s telling you. Is it really a heist? Maybe - but it is definitely a lot of fun, and I need to go read book 2, How to Steal a Galaxy right now!

Thanks for asking questions, and have a great day yourself 😀

[raguna-blade]

[tsunflowers]

I love otoyomegatari but if you want to read it you should be aware that the main character is in an arranged marriage with a 12 year old boy when she's 20. personally I think ms mori did this bc she didn't want to have a real man hanging around amir bc amir is the perfect woman but it's there and it's unavoidable

[pureu-pi]

Otoyomegatari - A Young Bride's Story By Kaoru Mori

[dnines]

[pocketseizure]

[iukasylvie]

You can view more of Chapter 1 of Aoi Horus no Hitomi from the link below.

Yes, Aoi Horus no Hitomi and A Bride's Story are written and drawn by two different women, but both are gorgeous historical manga series from Kadokawa/Enterbrain's magazine Harta.

I agree that Mori's art in A Bride's Story is impressive. The Kyoto International Manga Museum held an exhibition for the series for free! The Golden Kamuy exhibition at the Museum of Kyoto required visitors to buy tickets and I was only able to pass thanks to my disability certificate.

I prefer Aoi Horus no Hitomi, as well as Golden Kamuy by Satoru Noda and Vlad Drăculea by Akiyo Ohkubo, because they take more time to clarify the context and prepare the reader for things to come, to be honest. I admit that I read Volume 1 of A Bride's Story hastily in a manga café the last time I read the series, but I don't remember any map or ethnic group's name. I wish I knew the exact places Amir and Karluk lived in, their ethnic groups, and the historical context behind 19th-century Central Asia both from a bird's-eye view and a worm's-eye view.

There is a manga about how Hatshepsut came to power and became one of Ancient Egypt’s most sucessful rulers holy shit I am salivating looking at the pages like:

PLEASE GET LICENSED

[atesan]

at my age, i was sure i was too old to be anyone’s first choice for marriage. so when they told me they found a match, i thought my husband would probably be an old man as well. back then, you looked so little and cute standing there...

[ridley-was-a-cat]

346. A Bride's Story, Vol. 2 - licensed - Amir's family comes to try to take her back to marry someone else, but Karluk's family and the villagers fight them off. Afterwards there's a whole chapter about embroidery and the linen that goes in a dowry that was absolutely gorgeous. Such a pretty manga.

[offbeat-manga-ships]

OTOYOMEGATARI (乙嫁語り)

A Bride’s Story / Mori Kaoru

Ongoing, with 14 volumes (as of 2024-10-19)

F/M; Seinen, Historical, Slice of Life, Drama, Romance + ag, ag: ym x of, younger m, older f, taller f x shorter m + side pairing: f x f, implicit or ambiguous, queer & ambqueer

SUMMARY: It’s the 19th century in a tribal town near the Caspian Sea, Central Asia. People lead simple lives along the Silk Road, believing in various customs and traditions as they have for many years. Amir Halgal is a beautiful 20-year-old woman skilled in archery, hunting, and horseback riding. She has come from a faraway village for an arranged marriage to a charming 12-year-old boy by the name of Karluk Eihon.

Due to the large age difference, the relationship between Amir and Karluk is a little awkward initially. However, everyday interactions between the two allow them to develop feelings of love and respect for each other that eventually strengthen their bond. Otoyomegatari follows the daily lives and challenges of Amir and Karluk alongside various other couples across Central Asia, in a beautiful portrayal of the culture and traditions of the brides of the era.

MAL score: 8.56 AL mean score: 85% MU average: 8.8

PERSONAL SCORE: 10* out of 10

*currently unfinished; score might change