NINJA: Amazon.ca: Eric Van Lustbader: Books

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Product Description

"Totally absorbing...as gripping a tale of hatred and revenge as you will read...It is superb."
NEWS RECORD
This is the story of Nicholas Linnear, half-Caucasian, half-Oriental, a man caught between East and West, between the sexual passions of a woman he can't forget and the one he can't control and between a past he can't escape and a destiny he can't avoid.
A sprawling erotic thriller that swings from postwar Japan to present-day New York in a relentless saga of violence and terror elaborately designed for the most savage vengeance of all... --This text refers to an alternate Mass Market Paperback edition.

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Customer Reviews

22 Reviews

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

Average Customer Review

4.2 out of 5 stars (22 customer reviews)

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Most helpful customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars FAR EAST HEROES AND VILLANS, Mar 2 2008

By	NeuroSplicer (Freeside, in geosynchronous orbit) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Ninja (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a good novel, written by someone so immersed into the Far East culture, one has to start thinking a little like a Japanese or a Chinese in order to fully accept and comprehend it.

Not to risk any spoilers, this is the story of Nicholas Linnear whose mother is Asian and father American. Growing up in Japan, he takes up bujutsu and excels in it to the point that his cousin Saigo evolves into his nemesis to-the-death. After the death of his parents, Nicholas returns to the States only to find that one's demons will follow him to the end of the world.

NINJA is a interesting martial arts novel, heavy on characters (try to read it in as few sittings possible, otherwise you will get confused), rich on background and liberal on sex, as was the fashion in the late 70's when it was written. Since this seems to have become an issue, do not let some sex scenes deter you from enjoying this book: it rates closer to the GODFATHER than the EMPIRE OF SENSES. But, yes, it is not for children.

This is a book that has influenced many writers and movie producers on how they perceive these stealthy warriors with no honor. It it is expected to be rediscovered as it is being made into a Hollywood movie as you are reading this.

RECOMMENDED.

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3.0 out of 5 stars Good for it's time....., Aug 14 2003

By	Savant11 "Savant11" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ninja (Mass Market Paperback)

I bought this book because I am a Batman fan, and I found strong similarities between Nicholas and Bruce Wayne/Batman.

Which is the only reason I kept on reading.

Frankly I found the book to be a jumbled mess. I wasn't sure what Lustbader was trying to do. Was he trying to tell a story or muse eastern philosophy?

The story involves Nicholas Linear the son of English/Jewish Colonel in the British army and a Chinese/Japanese woman. The story covers him both his life as a 33 year old man in the 1970's living in New York as well as his adolescence in Japan. In Japan Nicholas studies martial arts and is the rival of another man...why we don't know. There is constantly reference to a debt of honor that really isn't fully explained. In New York Nicholas is being stalked by a Ninja who is trying to kill him. We are given no idea how or why Nicholas is in the states and why he moved there.

Also the story has Nicholas romantically/sexually involved with two women who are mentally disturbed and I was left puzzled as to why such an intelligent man would do something like that.

And as many reviewers pointed out the sex is very explicit. I wouldn't call it erotic. Pornographic is more the right word. As most of the scenes were lengthy and had really did not advance the plot. There were two rape scenes. One involving incest that I found irritating and unecessary. The sex seemed to be just there for shock and titilation.

The book was interesting...but I think tighter editing would have served it better.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Beauty of the darkness, April 26 2002

By	Philip B. Yochim (Louisville, KY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Ninja (Mass Market Paperback)

The Ninja captures the beauty, the darkness, and the power of this ancient order of assassins.

The mystery of the East meets the intrigue of the West in the seedy suburbs of Tokyo, the jungles of China, and alleys of New York City.

Mr. Lustbader allows his characters to develop strongly. Nicholas and Justine become stronger people towards the end of the book, as Saigo and Tomkin weaken. The setting always creates a stong brooding atmosphere, with the hint of death just behind the corner.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars a must
Ok, Ninja stories are passe now, and so 80's. I'm sure Ninja is to the 80's what the vampire is to the 90's. But you should really read this book. Read more

Published on Dec 31 2001 by Tad

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Thriller Ever Written This Century
I cannot say enough about the author's deep understanding of Japanese culture and post-war politics. Read more

Published on May 6 2001 by gessho

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful thriller with ninjas galore within
Rather than just do a blurb, let me paste some points from a personal analysis I did of the story.

OVERALL FEELING: Excellent understanding of the Eastern life and culture;... Read more

Published on Mar 23 2001 by MISTER SJEM

2.0 out of 5 stars Not What I Wanted
If you're looking for fast-paced action I suggest you look elsewhere. The good points about this novel is that the nature of Japan and her people are deeply explored, and that the... Read more