Questions About Shibumi

by Trevanian

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Answered Questions (3)

Did anyone ever try to get this book made into a movie? It seems like it would be great.

Stephanie The movie John Wick is (very) loosely based on the book.

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René Sadae Yes, Shibumi is a genuine concept; a part of Zen within Japanese culture. As I read this book too many years ago, my recollection is poor, and wish to…moreYes, Shibumi is a genuine concept; a part of Zen within Japanese culture. As I read this book too many years ago, my recollection is poor, and wish to read it again. I do think the novel might have made it seem more of a tangible way of thinking, believing, reaching that one can strive for, when it actually is a beautifully simple understanding one might be able to see by way of knowledge come to through unplanned challenges. However, western culture, western language, and western attitudes are difficult tools to use in defining eastern concepts, especially of Zen or Buddha nature. Certainly this book would make for a good book club read.(less)

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Is this book as insufferably pretencious as the synopsis here makes it sound?

Rick Patterson First, you have to remember that this followed on the heels of Trevanian's parodies of James Bond--The Eiger Sanction and The Loo Sanction (notice LOO…moreFirst, you have to remember that this followed on the heels of Trevanian's parodies of James Bond--The Eiger Sanction and The Loo Sanction (notice LOO is 007 upside down?). Shibumi carries on with the very wry and sardonic treatment of governments, corporations, and institutions of just about every description, so in that way it can come across a bit heavy-handed, but it maintains an essential respect for the individual that can't be dismissed as pretentious. Nicholai Hel is worthy of much more respect than Jonathan Hemlock from the Sanction books; it can be somewhat captured by the observation that Hemlock collects art and Hel is trying to make his own life into art. Now that sounds pretentious, but trust me, this book is really not. It is absolutely worth the time and you will find yourself thinking of moments and well-turned phrases and characters long, long after you close the final page.(less)

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