Dai-Sho

I liked this book, I read when I was a teen, but I get the feeling that Marc Olden has something against Australians. One of the henchmen, who is rude and lecherous, is Australian. An air hostess, who goes out with a transvestite character and kills herself, is Australian. Plus, in Gaijin, the heroine tells a group of Australian tourists to shut up. What gives mate? Had a bad experience in Australia or what?

I picked up this book in a used bookstore, having never read any of Marc Olden's books before. Was I glad I did! The opening scenes, which take place in feudal Japan as a bunch of ninjas prepare to storm a castle had me hooked instantly. I can't remember the last time I read a more electrifying opener. From there the novel whips forward into the present day, as a young boy and his absentee father learn to live together following the murder of his mother and stepfather. What makes this stand out from your run-of-the-mill thriller though is the emotional content. Olden portrays his characters with real depth and poignancy. I couldn't help but think of Eric Lustbader when I was reading it but it's worth noting that Marc Olden was writing martial arts thrillers long before Lustbader. All in all, highly recommended and I'm definitely gonna check out Olden's back catalogue, cos this guy can write!

The ultimate yin and yang. Old and new. East and West, and reincarnated warriors relive their lives, their present lives and their past lives, in lavish displays of honour, loyalty, and sensuality in a modern time where such vertues fade. Seemingly somewhat confusing in the begining of the read, as one is catulpulted into a den of assasins and whip forward following a fallen soul to the future, who duty in life is to continue on with a task cheated of him centuries before, a performance he feels will preserve him in all his beaty and glory he still has. Beautifully crafted moving images by Marc olden. Findd this book if you can, this one needs a reprint.