2007 – The 47th Samurai
From the back cover of the Advance Readers Edition:
One afternoon Bob Lee Swagger gets a surprising visitor: a retired Japanese Colonel named Philip Yaho has researched the battles on Iwo Jima and believes Swagger’s father killed his on Mount Suribachi. He is also searching for the miitary sword his father used in the battle. Swagger manages to track it down and personally delivers it to Yano in Tokyo. When they examine it, it turns out to be not an old standard issue military weapon, but an ancient samurai sword, a national treasure. A few days later, the Yano family is murdered, their house burned to the ground, and the sword stolen. Compelled to solve the crime and recover the blade, Swagger enters not only Tokyo’s criminal underbelly, but also the violent, obsessive world of the Samurai.
Booklist is a magazine of book reviews published by the American Library Association. It is the holy grail of book reviews. The July 1 edition included a review of The 47th Samurai with a star, denoting “a work judged to be outstanding in its genre”:
This is the novel Hunter’s fans have been waiting for, the book that brings together his father-and-son protagonists: Earl Swagger, World War II hero and hard-nosed cop, and Bob Lee Swagger, Vietnam sniper and, like his father, the kind of guy who can’t say no to righteous violence. Until now, Earl and Bob have each starred in their own books, but this time, ingeniously, Hunter brings them together when Bob is contacted by a retired Japanese soldier, Philip Yano, who believes that his father’s samurai sword may have wound up in Earl’s hands after the war. Bob tracks down the sword, travels to Japan, and presents it to Yano—after which the Yano family is slaughtered. Bob could walk away, but, of course, he doesn’t.
Throwing himself into samurai culture, he learns swordsmanship from a master and sets off to avenge the Yanos—and, in a sense, his father. Sure, this sounds clichéd, but much of Hunter’s genius comes from his ability to manipulate archetypes—especially the classic western scenario of the lone avenger—drawing on the almost subconscious pull these themes exert on the reader but always infusing them with multiple layers of complexity. As Bob is drawn into the samurai world, and tension builds to the inevitable confrontation with his adversary—a modern samurai seduced by the dark side—Hunter simultaneously fuels our need for bloody resolution and reveals the horrors wrought by devotion to honor and duty. But this time he does it with parallel narratives—juxtaposing the story of Earl Swagger and Philip Yano’s father against the contemporary drama and playing off the same themes across generations.
This is probably Hunter’s most violent novel—and that’s saying something—but violence may have never been more integral to story than it is here. Hunter celebrates the samurai soldier while showing the appalling underside of the samurai way of life and the ideals that drive it.
— Bill Ott
You can help support my volunteer website to chronicle Stephen Hunter’s writings by buying The 47th Samurai from Amazon.com. You pay the same – but I get a small commission. Click the image at left to buy the paperback, and thanks for your support!
August 8th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Just finished this book and I could not put it down. Nothing like an old guy like Bob Lee learning a new thing. I actually almost got put out of my own bedroom by my wife because I couldn’t stop reading this. Mr. Hunter, great book. Thanks and I look forward to the next one by you.
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Just recently I finished “47th Samurai”. I found it to be exciting, intriquing and very entertaining. Being nearly the same age as Bob Lee Swagger, a retired police sniper and a long time student of Kendo and other martial arts, I saw a little of Bob Lee in myself. I felt I truly knew him and could understand his frustrations and challanges. It is hard for us “old warriors” to accept that we are not same “young warriors” we used to be. I feel Mr. Hunter truly captured the spirit of the samurai and the spirit of the sword. I have read all the books in the Bob Lee saga and greatly look forward to the next. Thank You Mr. Hunter.
October 6th, 2008 at 9:26 am
I picked up 47th Samurai at the National Book Festival in DC and got it signed by Mr. Hunter while I was there. That book is one of my favorites and I’m glad I didn’t miss out on it. I look forward to reading your other works.
December 1st, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Steven Hunter is one of my ‘must read’ authors. I truly enjoy the hero figures that he creates, as well as, the situations that he puts them under. This novel had one trivial error that might only be noticed by seasoned motorcyclists. The Japanese have unique motorcycle licensing. Only two in ten get their license and they have to start on very small machines and to get a slightly bigger machine they have to take another test. And since they only allow one test per person annually it would take three to five years of riding experience to qualify to ride/own 400 cc machine. By that time they would be very good riders, not the scared, inexperienced rider portrayed in this novel. However, this did not keep me from enjoying this very exciting story.
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I have read all of Stephen Hunters books and loved them all especially books with the Swaggers in them, although Dirty white Boys was outstanding.The 47th Samurai was FANTASTIC I could not put it down. Great job Mr Hunter and I look forward to your next book.
Chris G
December 15th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I’m halfway through The 47th Samurai now, and I’m really enjoying it. It’s the first Stephen Hunter book I’ve read, and I plan to read more. One thing that puzzles me, though, is why some of the main Japanese characters have English first names (i. e. Philip Yano and family, Nick Yamamoto, etc). This would be very unusual in Japan. Do you know why?
December 26th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Hi,
“47″ was a great read. Too bad it went in 2 days. Going to get “Night” this week. Have read all the books SH has written, and always look forward to the next one.
As far as the small discrepancies in each book, I would like to remind people that this is a work of fiction, a book, not the sea scrolls!
Thanks,
Larry,
Las Vegas
January 11th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Just finished the book and really enjoyed it. I put the book down and laughed hysterically for 5 straight minutes when Bob Lee said to NII, “the reason you are fat is because you are full of shit”.
I am a lifetime martial artist and now earn my living teaching. This book captured so much of the Japanese martial art mindset regardless of wether it is Karate or Kendo. It all goes back to the Samurai.
My only only issue. One week of training??? (ha ha) But who knows, maybe Bob Lee could pull it off.
Absolutely love your books Mr. Hunter.
January 18th, 2009 at 8:49 am
I just finished the book. My second of Stephen Hunter’s novels. It was great! He delivers just the right balance of action and inner thoughts that keeps you propelling forward to finish the book. I enjoyed reading the relationships between father and son that was so dominant throughout this book.
His writing lacks reality on the husband-wife relationship. She seems a little too willing to accept his “adventures” without question or much fuss; but then it’s written from a man’s point of view (and a military man at that). That’s a psyche I don’t fully comprehend.
I’m not Japanese, but I am 1/2 Asian, and Mr. Hunter also describes accurately the complexities formed from generations of traditions, prejudices, and obligations that very few non-Asians can understand. It’s ingrained in the back of your mind even if you are from a more modern generation.
I wanted a scene where he goes back to the father of the slain Shogun. Perhaps giving him back the sword used to kill his son instead of destroying it — Bob not being able to destroy a work of art. The bitter-sweet regret of accepting inevitability from the father-son tragedy. Then the history forever displayed in museums where the emotions eventually die off and the items become just artifacts with interesting legends.
January 19th, 2009 at 11:49 am
I read this book *after* “Night of Thunder.” It is a better effort than NOT, but still not up to the standards set by Hunter’s earlier works. Bob Lee Swagger should not have been chosen as the protagonist of this story. He’s a sniper, not a swordsman, and he’s too old to keep up with Kondo Isami. A better choice for the protagonist would have been Russ Pewtie, the itinerant journalist from “Dirty White Boys” and “Black Light,” who developed an interest in martials arts when he found an old sword in the closet …. Pewtie would have been young enough and could have been fleshed out into an interesting character. Instead we have the old warhorse BLS, a round character in a square plot if ever there was one. The action scenes of Earl Swagger on Iwo Jima are outstanding, although his tête-à-tête with Hideki Yano is preposterous given what we know historically about the battle. Neither Earl nor Hideki would have asked or given quarter regardless of the circumstances.
January 27th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
I had not read anything for a while, and bought “47th Samurai” on a whim. I couldn’t believe how good my luck was that day. I read this book relentlessly, and loved every page. As a writer, I am SUPER picky when it comes to storytelling. Hunter nailed this story. I talked so highly of it, my wife bought me six or so more of Hunter’s books for Christmas. I can’t wait to dig in
January 29th, 2009 at 10:15 am
I just finished reading the 7th Samurai. I just wanted to tell you i couldn’t put it down. I meant to go to sleep at 7 in the morning as i work nights but it is now after 11. It was a great book, which i should also add i have not found a book of yours that i haven’t found to be a great book). I onw almost all your books and will still go back and read some of them like Hot Springs. Keep up writing the great books and I will keep buying and reading them.
Arthur Wentz
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:00 pm
First, let me say that I have read all of S.H.’s books and enjoyed every one. My favorites are Point of Impact and Dirty White Boys. That said, while I read it cover-to-cover in one long super Sunday, I found The 47th Samurai a bit of a disappointment. I loved the interweaving of Earl and Bob Lee, but couldn’t help but think that our venerable hero is a bit too old for this adventure. His one week of training strains credulity but mostly it reminded me of the Karate Kid – the plot device of the novice seeking training from the master is pretty tired and (IMHO) not worthy of Bob Lee. Really, scrub the dojo, find the world in the tiny and mundane? Why not just say “wax on, wax off” and get it over with? In addition, the sword fight in the snow reminded me way too much of the fight at the end of Kill Bill, Vol. 1. And I agree with a previous poster, what wife would be so understanding? Still, even mediocre Hunter is better than most others, so I will eagerly read Night of Thunder and hope for the best.
February 9th, 2009 at 12:34 am
Master swordsman in 3 days, not even a Swagger!!!! I was waiting for Kando to pull his kryptonite tipped sword…First time my bullshit alarm went of in Hunter novel, even though some of the stuff portrayed in past novels has been a bit out there.
February 11th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Awesome. I haven’t carried a book back and forth from home to work/lunch book since reading Dan Simmons Illium. I give 47th the edge on Point of Impact(which I lend to any friend who will take it). I am a sucker for a good author doing the hard work of studying a society and then thrusting something interesting(like Bob Lee) into it. Enough chit chat, Night of Thunder is waiting.
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:48 am
i picked up the french versiob of the 47th Samurai on a library and i enjoyed it !!
if one like yakuzas'stories it is a book to read ! like "Bangkok Tattoo" or "tokyo blues" !
keep on the good work !!!
May 30th, 2009 at 6:16 am
Wow! Someone ( my regular bookshop owner [sultanabooks@pacific.net.sg] recomended that I read this book sinceI have almost finished all of John Grisham, Wilbur Smith, Jeffrey Archer, Federick Forsyth etc… whom are my favourites. After chapter 1, I never put it down! That was an awesome read. Well re-searched quite accurate and authentic in terms of Jap culture and characteristics esp on Samurai swords and it's customs and traditions! I think I will read more of Hunter's books! The problem is that it is quite diff to get his books in Singapore!
June 9th, 2009 at 3:31 am
Enjoyed this, despite the overabundance of significant coincidences the plot required (not to mention the extreme implausibility of Bob Lee becoming a sufficiently proficient swordsman in one week). But one thing niggled at me: his daughter's 23? So Point of Impact was set in 1984? Certainly the time that has passed between the novel sin the real world does not seem accurately reflected within them. . . .
September 9th, 2009 at 12:57 am
I'm somewhat of two minds when it comes to this book. I can fully understand why someone wouldn't like it. Bob Lee is too old and too battered to become a master swordsman at all, let alone in a week. I can't dispute that. However, I've seen my share of the Asian swordplay movies that clearly inspired Hunter to write the novel. There's almost always one implausible element you have to accept to enjoy them. For example, there's a series called Zatoichi where the main character has far fancier moves than Bob Lee and he's BLIND! If you have the same mind set as Hunter as he wrote the novel you'll enjoy it more.
However, Time to Hunt seemed like the logical end for Bob the Nailer and this just seemed unnecessary in comparison. Maybe a lot of these problems could have been skirted if Hunter had just come up with a new character for this story.
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:30 am
My wife and I loved this book. We're heading to Tokyo with our teen sons for the Christmas '09 holidays and were wondering is there are any sights Hunter would particularly recommend. We've tagged the sites in the book, the cemetery and veterans memorial grounds; we think we'll keep the boys out of the randiest parts of Shinjuku. Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you.
Chris Kerr
christopherker@gmail.com
November 24th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
IntenseDebate Notification <DIV dir=ltr align=left>approve</DIV>
<DIV>
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:37 pm
I just finished Night of Thunder and 47th Samurai (in that order). Both books kept me reading much farther into the night than I had intended. For the folks that wanted a different character than Bob Lee in 47th Samurai, I don't think the story would have worked with any other.These are very well written books. There are only a few authors that even come close to Mr Hunter's skill as a writer. There are some discrepancies and implausibilities but you should read Mr Hunter's comments at the end of the book. I would like to say that the Navy has not had Pharmacist's Mates since WWII and DEROS is strictly Army or Air Force. Thanks, Mr Hunter and I am looking forward to I'Sniper!