The Coming of the Bear: A Novel [Library Binding]

Lensey Namioka (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1992

Shipwrecked and then rescued by Ainu, a strange, round-eyed people, samurais Zenta and Matsuzo soon find themselves captives of these strange people, and their escape only leads them into a mystery involving bear attacks on a nearby Japanese settlement.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9-- Around 1600 in Japan, Zenta and Matsuzo, two lordless young samurai, flee the wrath of a local strongman. Their boat washes them ashore in a strange land that they soon discover is Ezo (present day Hokkaido), where they are taken in by the indigenous Ainu. They become involved in the increasing tension between the Ainu and the Japanese colonists who are trying to gain a foothold on the island. A bear that keeps attacking the Japanese settlement (in the dead of winter when these animals hibernate) becomes the casus belli between the two peoples. Amidst heart-pounding suspense, the two stalwarts courageously solve the mystery of the bear and halt the war. The writing is taut and effective, the plot well worked out, and the major characters convincing, although some minor figures are little more than etched in. Particularly noteworthy is the attention paid to the minutiae of Ainu life, including fascinating details about food, medicine, hunting, self-defense, and religion. Presentation of issues of racial and cultural conflict is done with great sensitivity and as an integral part of this vivid recreation of time and place. More than a mystery, the story will appeal to a wider than usual audience and provide an exciting multifarious adjunct to social studies. On top of all this, it's a real page-turner. --John Philbrook, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

In the newest entry in this action-packed series, Namioka's two wandering samurai are shipwrecked on the northern island of Ezo (modern Hokkaido) and find themselves trying to avert a battle between a new Japanese settlement and the indigenous Ainu. As in their previous adventures, Zenta and Matsuzo have a mystery to solve: a bear has been attacking the Japanese, and it soon becomes evident that it has been trained to do so. By whom? There are suspects on both sides. The two ronin are given complex character traits--young Matsuzo's optimistic enthusiasm plays off Zenta's moodiness and experience, often to comic effect--and the author throws up a few red herrings to complicate the otherwise simple, quickly paced plot. There is some violence--the culprits and several bears die--but it's emphasized less than the theme of working toward peace. (Fiction. 11-14) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 230 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins (April 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060202890
• ISBN-13: 978-0060202897
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,890,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Too bad this is out of print, January 19, 2011

By 

donndilis - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Coming of the Bear (Zenta & Matsuzo Myst) (Paperback)

The Zenta and Matsuzo mysteries are all worth reading-they are light, interesting, humerous, and have interesing plots and characters. Kids needn't know this, but they are getting a good dose of history and culture along with the fun and laughs, yet the books are never given to either political correctness nor stereotyping. A must for every child's library, and maybe some adult libraries as well!

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, December 9, 2006

By 

K. SANGER - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Coming of the Bear (Zenta & Matsuzo Myst) (Paperback)

We really liked it. And it was hilarioius. We have read most of the books (daughter aged 7 and dad aged 34). In comparison to the rest of the books, we think it was much better. We liked all of the rest of the books that we have read.