Sensei

Rating:
Summary: Ridiculous
Review: I suppose martial artists might find it interesting and there are some interesting thoughts concerning sensei but wow! this is just a terrible story. The unlikely and unbelievable hero is a black-belt ignoramus. Over and over again when faced with simplistic obvious evidence he responds with utter disbelief until it actually gets funny. His stupidity leads us into the final battle which smacks of adolescent heroic dreams.

Rating:
Summary: My new most favorite author
Review: If you're into martial arts, or ever wanted to be and like mysteries, you'll enjoy this book. It's about a college professor who studies martial arts pretty seriously under a sensei or teacher the likes I've been looking for all my life. The plot is unveiled in a way that I wanted to both rush through the book but at the same time go slowly, so the book could go on and on. I haven't read many books that I didn't want to end because then the pleasure would stop. It puts you in the world of a person who thinks differently - like a person you would like to be - more tuned into their surroundings. The author brings you into the martial arts culture easily, using all the right words. I hope they make a movie out of it.

Rating:
Summary: My new most favorite author
Review: If you're into martial arts, or ever wanted to be and like mysteries, you'll enjoy this book. It's about a college professor who studies martial arts pretty seriously under a sensei or teacher the likes I've been looking for all my life. The plot is unveiled in a way that I wanted to both rush through the book but at the same time go slowly, so the book could go on and on. I haven't read many books that I didn't want to end because then the pleasure would stop. It puts you in the world of a person who thinks differently - like a person you would like to be - more tuned into their surroundings. The author brings you into the martial arts culture easily, using all the right words. I hope they make a movie out of it.

Rating:
Summary: Ridiculous
Review: Mr. Donohue touched on a subject that is sacred to many martial artists. That is, the inner sanctum of the dojo, its sensei and the relationship between sensei (lit. one who came before--teacher) and deshi (student). The author did a fantastic job of describing the attitude of a Japanese teacher toward his students, especially gaijin. He also introduced many readers to some Japanese terms that are endeared within the dojo walls.

The characters, though, are somewhat flat. I believe Mr. Donohue could have developed his characters a little more, offering more insight into the lives, the training and interpersonal relationships between each.

All in all, the reader should enjoy this book if he/she enjoys the traditional Japanese ways. I'll definately purchase the author's next book due out some time in the fall, with the hopes and expectations that he pursues growth in his characters.

Rating:
Summary: kinda hokey, but fun
Review: Mr. Donohue touched on a subject that is sacred to many martial artists. That is, the inner sanctum of the dojo, its sensei and the relationship between sensei (lit. one who came before--teacher) and deshi (student). The author did a fantastic job of describing the attitude of a Japanese teacher toward his students, especially gaijin. He also introduced many readers to some Japanese terms that are endeared within the dojo walls.

The characters, though, are somewhat flat. I believe Mr. Donohue could have developed his characters a little more, offering more insight into the lives, the training and interpersonal relationships between each.

All in all, the reader should enjoy this book if he/she enjoys the traditional Japanese ways. I'll definately purchase the author's next book due out some time in the fall, with the hopes and expectations that he pursues growth in his characters.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Riveting!
Review: Sensei is ingenious, expertly crafted, and a rare mixture of being both intellectually provocative, as well as high-octane entertainment. John Donahue has created one of the most likeable characters in fiction today. The combination of action, suspense, and information is a pure delight. Sensei is easily one of the most exciting novels I have ever read.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Riveting!
Review: Sensei is ingenious, expertly crafted, and a rare mixture of being both intellectually provocative, as well as high-octane entertainment. John Donahue has created one of the most likeable characters in fiction today. The combination of action, suspense, and information is a pure delight. Sensei is easily one of the most exciting novels I have ever read.

Rating:
Summary: Great read. Totally new genre.
Review: This book was a gift to my husband who is a Black belt in about 5 different styles of martial arts. Now, he is NOT a reader but was intrigued enough to give it a try and he read it in one sitting. He recommended it to me and I tried it just to see what held his attention for so long!! I was captured by the first chapter. I have never read another book quite like it. It was interesting to get a glimpse into the martial arts world and a peek at a martial artist's psyche. Don't get me wrong though, this book is a good mystery too. The final battle was awesome. I felt like I was there. This authors descriptive phrases are incredible. I will buy the next one for sure. I highly recommend this book. Give it a try and you wont be disappointed. You don't have to be into the martial arts to enjoy this book. Believe me, I couldn't do the splits if someone paid me but I loved this book!!

Rating:
Summary: Only "sort of" a thriller...
Review: Well, it started out as an exciting book. And the author does have writing talent. But after the initial killings take place, the book enters a slooooooowwww period that goes on and on and on, until the blatantly predictable ending. I'm the kind of person who never sees the "twist" in movies coming, but the ending of this book was waving a yellow flag from three miles away.

As a wimpy white belt who just started karate a month ago, I did enjoy reading the bits concerning the dojo and different Japanese ideas. But the idea that this adjunct college professor (we are never given an explanation of how he is able to read Japanese-- did they teach that in kempo?) who has trained in martial arts in his spare time is able to rise to the level that he does... it certainly stretches the plausibility factor more than a Jackie Chan movie. At the end I was just waiting for this book to be over.