Title: The 47th Samurai
Author: Stephen Hunter
First published September 11, 2007
384 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780743238090 (ISBN10: 0743238095)
Rating: 3.88
Overview
In Stephen Hunter’s “The 47th Samurai,” Bob Lee Swagger returns for another thrilling adventure. When Philip Yano, the son of a brave fighter Bob’s father encountered at Iwo Jima, comes to America seeking the recovery of his father’s sword, Bob pledges to help.
But what they uncover is no ordinary sword – it’s a legendary shin-shinto katana, priceless and coveted by many. Bob finds himself embroiled in a dangerous world of samurai, Japanese culture, and the criminal yakuza underworld.
With the help of his allies, he navigates this dangerous world and vows to avenge the terrible crimes committed. But as the plot thickens, Bob must be willing to do whatever it takes to stop a ruthless conspiracy that threatens to take down everything he holds dear.
If he hopes to succeed, he must become a samurai himself – and be ready to fight and kill.
Editoral Review
The 47th Samurai by Stephen Hunter is a gripping, action-packed thriller that is sure to leave readers on the edge of their seats. Hunter, an accomplished author of military and espionage novels, brings his experience to bear in this captivating tale of vengeance and honor set against the backdrop of feudal Japan.
The novel tells the story of Bob Lee Swagger, a retired Marine sniper who is approached by a Japanese businessman seeking his skills as a marksman. The job involves assassinating the man responsible for the murder of the businessman’s father, a samurai who was killed by a corrupt American general during World War II.
Swagger journeys to Japan to train with a group of samurai warriors, learning the ways of the blade and the bow, and preparing for the deadly mission ahead. Hunter’s writing is masterful, evoking a strong sense of time and place, and immersing readers in the complex world of Japanese culture and tradition.
The novel is rich in historical detail, offering a fascinating window into a fascinating period of Japanese history, as well as raising important moral questions about justice, vengeance, and the human cost of war. The characters are well-developed and engaging, from Swagger himself, a tough and grizzled veteran, to the various members of the samurai clan, each with their own distinct personality and motivations.
The action scenes are thrilling and tense, replete with graphic violence and gore, and leaving readers breathless with anticipation. One of the strengths of The 47th Samurai is its exploration of the cultural clash between East and West, and the ways in which the legacy of war and violence can persist for generations.
Hunter avoids simplistic stereotypes and offers a nuanced, sensitive portrayal of both American and Japanese characters, showing how they are both shaped by their circumstances and history. While The 47th Samurai is an excellent novel, it does have a few limitations.
Some readers may find the violence and gore excessive, while others may feel that the pacing is slow in places. Additionally, the novel may appeal primarily to fans of military and espionage thrillers, rather than to a broader audience.
Despite these flaws, The 47th Samurai is a highly recommended read for anyone who enjoys action-packed thrillers with an historical twist. Hunter’s writing is superb, and the story is both exciting and thought-provoking.
It is a must-read for fans of military and espionage novels, and for anyone interested in Japanese culture and history. Overall, we award The 47th Samurai by Stephen Hunter a score of four out of five stars.
This is an excellent novel that will appeal to a wide range of readers, and we highly recommend it.
