Satori

I was one of the early readers of "Shubumi", a book that has the power to suggest life changes to the young person of the age that I was when I read the book. Shibumi: A Novel It is an elegant book and attracted a wide range of cult followers, many of whom, like me, would wait until we forgot the fine details of the book so that we could read it again every five or six years. It remained fresh in a way that reminded me of the changes I had thought to make to my own life each time I read it. The plot of Shubumi is wonderful, but it could have taken very different turns and still been so; it is not the genius of the book. It is the way of life of Nicholai Hel and his paramour, Hana (and the wonderful characters inserted into their daily routines) that most readers remember and the unique voice that Trevanian (Rodney Whitaker, I now know) used to describe the characters, vocations and events in that novel. In fact, Hel's friends, as described, say as much about Hel as any description could inform the reader. And, "Shubumi" would have been about as hard an act to follow as was possible. The sheer loyalty of those who love this book would make a would make an author cringe at trying to follow it with another about Hel. (As Winslow worries in his Afterword). I am delightfully happy to report that "Satori", while paying proper homage to Trevanian, is written in Don Winslow's voice; one that is certainly honed to write this particular book, but not at all offensive to the fans of Trevanian. I was sad that we did not find the origins of Hel's first contact with the ultimate paramour and friends of his later life, but am hoping that there is, perhaps another work in progress which will complete the gap between Hel in his twenties and the much older Hel. This is one reader of Trevanian who was impressed with Mr. Winslow's writing, his speculative exploration of what might have comprised the melange of the complex Hel in Hel's early years. Sweet naivete is mixed in with an almost mystical understanding even in Hel's youth. SPOILER TO COME!!!!! Even as Hannah Stern dies and it surprises Hel in Shubumi, so he sustains surprise losses in Satori. SPOILER OVER I think that this strange naivete is an important part of Hel's character; maintained in both books. It is what makes him a relation to the rest of us; as masterful and different as is Hel, he still misses the odd cultural cue. Of course, readers like me wish to consider his mistakes as based on his code of honor; few consider that others will do what they would never, under any circumstances, consider doing. I very much liked the Buddhist references which were subtle, informative and not distracting; these references are Winslow's additions and I found them accurate and lightly well placed. I will not compare Shubumi to Satori (though am sure others will do) as this book is written as though by another narrator of Hel's life. In some ways, it reminds me of the "Alexandria Quartet" in that it can be fine, even wonderful to examine the same or similar events from the perspective of different observers. This book might have been written by "Pierre" and Shubumi by Hana. The voice is still similar as there are not a lot of ways to talk about the character who is Hel and get it right. I think, Mr. Winslow, that you got it right and while I would have liked a slightly less complex plot (given how complex is the history and character), I loved this book! I envy those readers who have not yet read either book as they have that to which to look forward. WELL DONE! Suze, Pleasant Valley, NY

At times this rises to the level of Winslow’s best writing and substitutes as a cost-effective alternative to the pursuit of an MFA in writing as the intricate plot and backstories unfurl like a series of Russian nesting dolls. Compelling and one of the climactic scenes is reminiscent of the Royal Albert Hall sequence in a Hitchcock film. The plot falls apart briefly afterwards, however, and meanders dully for several chapters until it picks up again during a bated-breath poker game. Worth reading but the material after the first buzzer-beater is monotonous and detracts from the quality of work and experience. The reader’s endurance is rewarded later, fortunately. Definitely gratuitous in content at times and there are terms (e.g. “switchback ”) and plot devices Winslow has exhausted in his canon of work which show up here. Ultimately, the reader respects how well she can be deceived and surprised by a writer with game.

When I ordered this fantastic 504 page hardcover book (Satori: A novel based on Trevanian’s Shibumi by Don Winslow) I had not yet read Shibumi and held off reading Satori until I finished Trevanian’s book. As I said in my review of Shibumi, I was somewhat disappointed in that book and character; however, what a difference it makes when another author, in this case Don Winslow, writes about Nicholai Hel. It was like reading about a different character and I loved Satori. The writing style and short chapter format made this book exciting and action packed. This book begins where the initial novel ends. He has been offered money and freedom if he assassinates the Soviet Union’s commissioner to China. One of the requirements is that he must have plastic surgery to change his appearance. Since he can speak many languages fluently, he is trained by a beautiful and seductive French woman named Solang. She teaches him how to speak, act and even make love like a Frenchman. Surprisingly, Nicholai Hel actually falls in love with her which was not planned. This exciting novel has numerous twists and turns and the action makes for a fun read. He shows his martial arts expertise when he battles the many bad guys trying to kill him. I never give away too much information when reviewing a novel. I will mention that this book is at least twice as good as the original novel (Shibumi). In fact, you can skip the first book on this character and you will not really miss anything. Satori, which refers to “Instant enlightenment” according to Zen literature, is the general theme of this book. Personally I loved this book and recommend it to anyone seeking a well-written and exciting spy thriller. Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Zen Poetry Moments: Haiku and Senryu for special occasions).

Worthy addition to Nicolai Hel's story. Blends history, politics, intrigue, human nature. Fleshes out events and characters briefly mentioned in the original.

I read Shibumi too long ago to recall much, but I think Satori is an apt sequel. It is a well written and complex story, an interesting mix of historical fiction and over the top super spy novel. The politics around Indochina in the 50’s, while a necessary part of the story, at times bogs things down. But, for the most part, the action is quick and riveting.

Me agradó mucho la forma en que el autor llevó el libro, y el suspenso acompañado de la trama que envuelve a Hel. Dude para leerlo pero creo que no me a arrepiento en absoluto de mi decisión. Eso sí lo leí con mucha calma porque si uno quiere ser velo con este tipo de historia, uno puede terminar confundido con un percepción equivocada del contenido

Great writing style, very intricate plot expertly woven…finished this in two days… wish there were more books to dive into

trop cool comme bouquin , pour ce qui ont aimé la griife du chien , ce ouquin est dans le même registre

Bought for my husband and he is enjoying the book.

Great read in the Trevanian mould and of Nicholai Hel