Bill Crider recommended Don Winslow’s work to me years ago. And I dutifully bought Don Winslow’s books. But I hadn’t gotten around to reading one until now. Yesterday, I reviewed Shibumi, a thriller by Trevanian written in 1979. Now, 32 years later, Don Winslow creates an exciting prequel that begins in Japan in 1951. Trevanian’s super assassin, Nicholai Hel, agrees to a deal that will get him out of an American-run prison where he’s being held. The CIA requires Hel to acquire a new face and identity and then to carry out a secret mission to assassinate Soviet commissioner Yuri Voroshenin in China. Hel disguises himself as Michel Guibert, a French arms dealer. I liked the way Winslow develops Hel’s mixed heritage: son of an aristocratic Russian mother and a surrogate Japanese father and mentor. You don’t really need to read Trevanian’s Shibumi to enjoy Satori. Within the parameters of Trevanian’s template, I thought Winslow’s just published prequel was an entertaining, suspenseful novel. GRADE: B+
If one were to read them both (not that I am planning to at the moment but you never know) which one would you read first?
I’d read the Winslow SATORI, Jeff. It’s the first book chronologically. But it would be fun to read SHIBUMI later to see the template Winslow had to work with.
I haven’t read it yet, but I’m sure I will, eventually. I admire Winslow’s work.
I can see why you admire Don Winslow’s work, Bill. I have all of his books stacked up and ready to read. I really enjoyed SATORI.
I know some people complained about TMI in his CALIFORNIA FIRE AND LIGHT but I liked it.
Thanks to Bill mentioning it I have his A WINTER SPY, publiushed as by MacDonald Lloyd.
I’ll be reading more Don Winslow soon, Jeff. SATORI might be his “break-through” book.
Just read both for the first time: Shibumi then Satori. Tevanian had me looking up words eveery few pages. Whopping vocabulary. Amazing cultural sensitivity. Some fine rants. Winslow I’ve always liked. Sartori didn’t involve me until 100+ pages. Last half was very well done and exciing. Still, Winslow writes in a modern style, brief text, observations just touch the subject like a skipping stone over water. Trevanian was more fulfilling and erudite. He drew colorful pictures, incredible technical detail. Winslow was sharp, snappy and to the point. Both well worth the time.
Excellent analysis, Mark! Yes, the styles of Tevanian and Wislow are very different. But I enjoyed both SHIBUMI and SATORI.