The Golden Crane

By R. Malcolm Dickson

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0759638160
• ISBN13: 9780759638167
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: 1st Book Library
• Length: 212 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.1" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Prose

I have never been moved enough to write a book review before. However, "The Golden Crane" changed that. It's a short book, but long on elegant prose, as well as an interesting and excellently researched story.A good example of Dickson's near poetic wordsmithing: "Dark and sinister Kagoshima Castle sat perched upon a great rock high above the restless sea like some monstrous roosting bird of prey. Ancestral home of the treacherous and volatile Satsuma clan, it had served as the traditional seat of rebellion throughout Japanese history. And now, within its thick, forbidding stone walls, plans for a new rebellion were being hatched."Even the battle scenes are beautifully written. There is no gratuitous gore here, only the poetic imagery of the swordsong. These exquisite phrases come to mind: "With the sentry now gone, Morinaga's ninja silently poured over the top of the battlement like a rising black fog." And even better: "The captain of the guard then shouted an order, and the sky was rent by a stream of flaming arrows that ripped through Shimazu's ranks, setting supply wagons on fire, and sending burning, panic-stricken warriors clawing through the early morning light like wildly gyrating torches."I daresay this new author may be a future force to be reckoned with in the publishing world.

Very Good Fiction

This author really knows how to tell a story. The plot was excellent, the prose elegant, and the pace fast. A perfect beach book. Set from 1859-1865, Dickson tells the story of young diplomat, Robert Davis (nephew of Jeff Davis, future CSA President), sent as the first American consul to Japan. Robert is quickly ensnared in the disintegrating Japanese political situation, and soon finds himself allied with Lord Morinaga, a minor but key vassal of the shogun. Morinaga's bold plan to defuse a rebellion of southern warlords, or daimyo, by using his specially trained ninja forces to attack the rebel stronghold quickly goes awry. I won't give away the rest of the plot, but suffice it to say the battle scenes are great, there is lots of suspense, and a surprising ending. In my opinion, this short novel certainly merits more attention from the press than it has received so far.

Wow!

I have never read a novel with so much excitement and action packed into so few pages. The story was flawless, the characters interesting (but needing more development), and the author managed to authentically recreate the era of 19th Century Western Imperialism in Japan. The English Admiral Wyndham, in particular, was a delightful zenophobic prig; and the American hero, Robert Davis, came across as a classic ne'er-do-well. The battle scenes were great, but I liked the romantic subtext to this story, which was believable as well.

First Rate Historical Fiction

This author really knows how to tell a story. Set in early 1860s Japan, a young American diplomat is swiftly caught-up in conflict between the Shogun and some rebellious warlords. There are great battle scenes, an interesting Japanese heroine, and a nice transition to the American Civil War. My only complaint was that this was a novella, not a full-length novel. However, the story is strong enough to overcome this single drawback. I look forward to reading more by this talented author.

Swashbuckling action adventure

A fast read, this swashbuckling action adventure takes the reader back to mid-nineteenth century Japan and the American South like a time machine...compelling and completely absorbing...I highly recommend this book.