The Art of Arrow Cutting : A Novel of Magic-Noir Suspense (Paperback)

by Stephen Dedman (Author)
Key Phrases: Totem Rock, Amanda Sharmon, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Agreeable but aimless, Michelangelo Magistrale has a photographer's eye for form and detail and a knack with women. It hardly seems out of the ordinary when penniless Amanda Sharmon asks him for bus fare and gives him a room key in return. After Amanda catches a bus west, Magistrale becomes the focus of incomprehensible attacks and nightmarish supernatural manifestations. Luckily, he happens to bunk with sometime-stuntman-ninja Charles Takumo at a youth hostel, and Magistrale's weird experiences engage Takumo's interest. What is the key really for? Where is Amanda Sharmon? Why was she so skittish and sad? Who is behind the attacks, and what is their purpose? Egged on by Takumo and pressured by his unknown and ubiquitous pursuers, Magistrale applies himself to figuring out how he, the strange key, and Amanda are connected.

Stephen Dedman's first novel is one long, suspenseful chase scene. It's reminiscent of Tim Powers's work, but without Powers's sprawl. Dedman's characters are suitably charming (or menacing), and the mythic and contemporary Japanese details are entertainingly skewed in fantastical Hong Kong cinema style: everything is just a little exaggerated, just larger than life. The structure is filmlike, too--tightly paced and without unnecessary digressions. Plan to put your feet up and read this book all in one sitting! --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
Always set in the present, Dedman's short sf lays the groundwork for his first novel, a realistic fantasy pitting itinerant photographer Michelangelo Mageo Magistrale (Mage) against a reclusive wealthy and powerful Japanese American businessman with ancient magical powers. To clear himself of a murder charge, Mage searches for the real killer while learning to use and control the magic. Dedman skillfully blends realism, Japanese magic, organized crime, mystery, and memorable characters, heightening belief that the magical acts could actually happen. Recommended for fantasy collections.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (February 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312868324
• ISBN-13: 978-0312868321
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,591,637 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Japanese mythology today, October 24, 2003

By	K. Maxwell "katmax1" (Perth, Australia) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Mage (Michelangelo Magistrale) is a photographer by trade and a rootless drifter by nature. When he runs into Amanda Sharmon at a Greyhound bus station in the backwoods of Canada he doesn't realise that by helping a stranger in need he is about to change his own life - and get an introduction to the strange world of Japanese mythology.

I wouldn't call this a mystery novel, though it does have elements of that. Its more like a modern urban fantasy. Its easy to read and the main characters are likeable, though you can get mixed up at times with all the unusual Japanese names which keep on cropping up.

If you like light fantasy and Japanese mythology then this is a book worth reading and I'm happy to read the sequel SHADOWS BITE and see if it is as enjoyable and light as the first book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great book, I'd buy fifty more just like it!, November 8, 2001

By	Lyda Morehouse (Saint Paul, MN United States) - See all my reviews

My taste is clearly not the same as your average Amazon.com reviewer's, because I loved this book. What did I like about it? For me, the big selling point was the characters. These are cool people. Magistrale and Takumo are people I enjoyed hanging out with in my head. Plus, I think that Dedman really has a light (and I mean light, not "shallow,") touch with dialogue, which made this novel a blast to read.

Maybe I'm just a sucker for a rip-roaring tale of adventure and magic. If you are, too, you'll love this book.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yakuza and yadomejutsu = superb entertainment, June 29, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Art of Arrow Cutting (Hardcover)

The title of this book can be somewhat misleading for anyone not familiar with Japanese and the martial arts. The subtitle of "A Novel of Magical Noir Suspense" helps, but doesn't even begin to give the multitextured flavor of this unique blend of fantasy, suspense, creatures from the Japanese underworld and just plain good story telling.

Superior writing, excellent imagery and a fascinating, surrealistic feel. And there is even a glossary in the back to help you with the Japanese and ninja terminoligy which give a real punch to the mix. Highly recommended