13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
kinda hokey, but fun, June 20, 2004
This review is from: Sensei (Paperback)
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.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A startlingly good first novel, July 18, 2005
This review is from: Sensei (Paperback)
John Donohue is to be commended on his first novel, Sensei, a remarkably good first effort that I would whole-heartedly recommend to fans of thrillers. This was a very enjoyable read and in no way felt like a freshman effort. It is always such an unusual treat to stumble across a new writer and have their debut novel completely capture you and take you off guard. Debut efforts rarely have me scribble the author's name on my "must read from now" on list, but this one did, and I am waiting as patiently as possible for his next novel to come out.
His protagonist, Connor Burke, is a finely realized and interesting character with substantial depth, complex feelings and motivations, and is an unusual hybrid of both college professor and martial artist. Connor, a thinking man's hero, finds himself drawn into a police investigation because of his unusual background and expertise. All the characters are finely realized, the plot reasonably realistic, the atmoshpere compelling, but it's the pacing of the novel that appeals to me the most. Much like Dave Robicheaux in James Lee Burke's novels, Donohue's character, Connor Burke, narrates events in an introspective, almost brooding fashion, and thoughout the story is contemplative, thoughtful, and focused on matters conscience and trust. He is an extremly interesting and sympathetic character and it is a pleasure to read about his adventures. So while the action is completely lively and thrilling, the story itself is calm and centered. This novel is much like the martial artists it depicts; externally violent and active, yet calm and centerd within.
The novel is set in New York City, feautes an impressive amount of action, and unfolds in layers as Connor seeks down and confronts an extraordinarily talented martial artist who for obscure reasons has murdered several prominenet martial arts teachers (sensei). Fans of James Lee Burke, Lee Child, Barry Eisler will all enjoy this one. I heartily recommend it.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My new most favorite author, March 26, 2004
This review is from: Sensei (Paperback)
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.
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