The Ronin: A Novel Based on a Zen Myth

Rating:
Summary: Gripping Through the End!
Review: From the moment I picked up this book, I couldn't put it down. The way it is written keeps you driving to the end. Every perplexing event leads you forcefully into yet another. The writing in my opinion is perfectly done to convey a very surreal atmosphere. The message of the book is unexplainable, but reading the book brings understanding that can only be vaguely told through words.

Don't be fooled; this story is authentic. Jennings has done an impeccable job of putting this story (told to him by Nyogen Senzaki) to text in such a gripping way. It is also very "zen" in how we find the stories of several seemingly unrelated people come together in such an important way.

Loved this book, highly recommend it to anyone, Zen practitioner or not.

Rating:
Summary: someone living in Japan
Review: I was intrigued by the title and the fact that it was a Japanese Samurai (Ronin) myth. In my studies I have found those stories translated to english have be most enjoyable.

I truely enjoyed this reading. I started early one morning and could not put it down until I was done later that evening...

Well done, I hope he does more translations for our reading pleasure...

Rating:
Summary: Eccentric...in a fantastic way
Review: If you're looking for a book that is "easy" and "nice" go look some place else; this isn't for you. But if you're interested in learning a thing or two about life, courage and good values then you might wanna take a closer look. This particular title is one of the more enlightening books I've read (alonside Bhagavad Gita, Zen Flesh Zen Bones, Hagakure, Book of 5 Rings, I Ching, Crime & Punishment, and Old Man & The Sea to name but a few).
Granted, if you read this as you would a Daved Eddings novel you will most likely find this piece irritating, weird and alltogether useless but if you have even a little ability to read between the lines and look for a deeper meaning (for you can find those just about anywhere in this book) then I'm sure you'll like this work.
Read, enjoy and learn. I did and still do.

Rating:
Summary: It may not be the greatest literature but...
Review: It contains a message that young, over-trained, under-educated, adrenaline and testosterone-soaked police, soldiers, and particularly special forces and mercenaries need to consider: You may be wiser when you are more experienced and you may have regrets; ideaism, ego, and desperation (the military and the police are the employers of last resort) have been manipulated by the state and those who would be the state (war lords), since the beginning of time.

Those who believe that might makes right need to consider the unarmed old man who places the ronin under citizen's arrest and is cut from (as I recall from reading 30 years ago) the top of his head to his groin with one stroke, and then calmly says, "You're still under arrest" as he literally explodes in blood.

Rating:
Summary: One of the worst novels I've ever had to throw away...
Review: The Ronin tells the story of a masterless samurai who lives a violent, debauched life until one day he is made aware of the enormity of his crimes. As a sort of penance, he decides to dig a tunnel through a mountain which can only be crossed by a high and dangerous pass.
The book is based on a Zen koan (a problem which cannot be solved by logic, on which practitioners of Zen meditate in order to find enlightenment).
The Ronin is a fascinating book and many years later, I am still troubled by the tough questions that it posed, such as: are we only good because we have to be; is there justice in revenge; and can human beings ever really make up for the terrible things that they do?
This was my favourite book when I was in high school and although now that I am older and can see that there are a lot of weaknesses in the book, I still say that it has the best ending of any book I have ever read and highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Best Ending of Any Book I've Ever Read
Review: The Ronin tells the story of a masterless samurai who lives a violent, debauched life until one day he is made aware of the enormity of his crimes. As a sort of penance, he decides to dig a tunnel through a mountain which can only be crossed by a high and dangerous pass.
The book is based on a Zen koan (a problem which cannot be solved by logic, on which practitioners of Zen meditate in order to find enlightenment).
The Ronin is a fascinating book and many years later, I am still troubled by the tough questions that it posed, such as: are we only good because we have to be; is there justice in revenge; and can human beings ever really make up for the terrible things that they do?
This was my favourite book when I was in high school and although now that I am older and can see that there are a lot of weaknesses in the book, I still say that it has the best ending of any book I have ever read and highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: One of the worst novels I've ever had to throw away...
Review: The Ronin, as a literary work, is very poorly written in a style that reads more like an outline to a story than a story itself.
This story is much like a cheap dimestore "true crime" story from the old days...extremely shallow characters, faulty plot lines, lame sexual innuendos and references, and the list goes on...
I ended up reading half of the book before giving it up as a very lost cause and tossing it in the garbage.
Don't get me wrong, I rarely throw away a book unless I want to spare my fellow human beings the total waste of time of reading it and to spare them the offensiveness of a badly written novel.
I have a suspicion that the "zen myth" is actually readable, while this book is not. How other people can say that this is the "best book they ever read" is beyond me..unless they hardly ever read a book to begin with...
Well, live and learn.
If you want to read books that are well written, try the Musashi books by Eiji Yoshikawa or some of the Newberry winners for children's books that feature characters from Japan and other Pacific Rim countries. Save your money and don't buy "The Ronin" by William Dale Jennings, it just isn't worth it at any price.

Rating:
Summary: Awful beyond words.
Review: This entire novel is pointless and sordid. DON'T waste your time or money on it. I just wish I'd read it before it was too late to return it.

Rating:
Summary: try reading it all the way to the end
Review: yes, this novel is a real kick in the third eye. Completely sick and depraved is the tale of the ronin, who lays waste to all and finds nothing but ghosts and suffering.

For those who are faint of heart or those who stink of zen, you may want to stick with whatever half-baked warmed-over blah new age feel-good follow-your-bliss schlock fare that they sell at your local crystal shoppe ;)... But those who want to go deep into a subject to the point of no return, plunge right into this metaphysical gore-bath.

I had actually only read about half of this then put it down, thinking "what the hell was the author thinking???" All I can say is, this book has the best ending ever, and is a singular work of art.

So gird yourself, throw out all your kind rainbow brothers and sisters, and make it past the first half of this gem. You will not regret it.