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Tokyo Station by Martin Cruz Smith
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Tokyo Station (original 2002; edition 2002)

by Martin Cruz Smith

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1,0231520,202 (3.55)20
"Set in the crazed, nationalistic Tokyo of late 1941, December 6 explores the coming world war through the other end of history's prism - a prism held here by an unforgettable rogue and lover, Harry Niles." "In many ways, Niles should be as American as apple pie: raised by missionary parents, taught to respect his elders and be an honorable and upright Christian citizen dreaming of the good life on the sun-blessed shores of California. But Niles is also Japanese: reared in the aesthetics of Shinto and educated in the dance halls and backroom poker gatherings of Tokyo's shady underworld to steal, trick and run for his life. As a gaijin, a foreigner - especially one with a gift for the artful scam - he draws suspicion and disfavor from Japanese police. This potent mixture of stiff tradition and intrigue - not to mention his brazen love affair with a Japanese mistress who would rather kill Harry than lose him - fills Harry's final days in Tokyo with suspense and fear. Who is he really working for? Is he a spy? For America? For the emperor?" "Now, on the eve of Pearl Harbor, Harry himself must decide where his true allegiances lie."--BOOK JACKET.… (more)
Member:frogball
Title:Tokyo Station
Authors:Martin Cruz Smith
Info:Macmillan (2002), Paperback, 336 pages
Collections:Your library
Rating:**
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December 6 by Martin Cruz Smith (2002)

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Showing 1-5 of 15 (next | show all)
Did not finish
  MaggieFlo | Aug 28, 2022 |
Not my usual sort of novel, but I always really enjoy Cruz Smith's writing... the Arkady Renko books hooked me, I have to admit!
December 6 (published as Tokyo Station in the UK) is a historical novel focusing on a wheeler-dealer type, Harry Niles, in Tokyo in the days leading up to the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the outbreak of war between Japan and the US. Harry is the son of American missionaries, but, neglected by them as a child, he has always, culturally, felt more Japanese. But in a Japan that is increasingly more hostile toward gaijin, he is torn between the two - with both a Japanese mistress and a British one, conflicting political loyalties... and as well, a conflict between his risk-running, gambling nature, and the desire to save his own skin...
There's some spy action, samurai violence, betrayals and loyalty, plenty of drama - excellent characterization, but the setting really made the book, with its vivid depiction of an unusual, transitory and fragile time in Japan...

( )
  AltheaAnn | Feb 9, 2016 |
Fantastic fictional book which I happened upon and momentarily glanced through before I brought it home. Set in Pre-Pearl Harbor attack Tokyo this is a suspense filled historical novel. Not for children, this book was a great reward for putting down my last book. Great descriptions of Japan (I've never been yet) but Smith has a nice balance between the characters while integrating the West Coast of California into the story. It has a Casablanca-esque story line but his calm mastery of language puts the reader at ease and makes this a page turner. I slowed down near the end as I didn't want to finish the last of the twenty-five chapters. If you're not a reader, don't bother. If you are, this might be interesting if you have curiosity about Japan seen from a Westerners point of view. Worth reading twice for the drawn out descriptions which make it easy to suspend disbelief that this could have actually happened. ( )
  sacredheart25 | Jan 30, 2016 |
Cruz Smith is one of my all time favorite authors. December 6th was much different than any of his others - but just as enjoyable. Harry - a con man par excellence grows up in Tokyo and thrives there as an adult ... until caught there at the outbreak of WWII. A fascinating look at pre-war Japan leading up to Pearl Harbor. A little tricky to follow because of the flashbacks ... but well worth the trouble. ( )
  repb | Dec 31, 2015 |
Another mega disappointing reading group book. I though as a thriller, it should be OK. But I was so wrong. I found it boring and over written. I struggled to page 150 and then skim read to the end. I just didn't care at all. Sorry Mr Smith, you go into the never again pile. ( )
  infjsarah | Jun 14, 2015 |
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» Add other authors (4 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Smith, Martin Cruzprimary authorall editionsconfirmed
Pfleiderer, ReinerTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Slattery, JohnNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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Five samurai crept forward with a scuffle of sandals, eyes lit like opals by a late setting sun.
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"Set in the crazed, nationalistic Tokyo of late 1941, December 6 explores the coming world war through the other end of history's prism - a prism held here by an unforgettable rogue and lover, Harry Niles." "In many ways, Niles should be as American as apple pie: raised by missionary parents, taught to respect his elders and be an honorable and upright Christian citizen dreaming of the good life on the sun-blessed shores of California. But Niles is also Japanese: reared in the aesthetics of Shinto and educated in the dance halls and backroom poker gatherings of Tokyo's shady underworld to steal, trick and run for his life. As a gaijin, a foreigner - especially one with a gift for the artful scam - he draws suspicion and disfavor from Japanese police. This potent mixture of stiff tradition and intrigue - not to mention his brazen love affair with a Japanese mistress who would rather kill Harry than lose him - fills Harry's final days in Tokyo with suspense and fear. Who is he really working for? Is he a spy? For America? For the emperor?" "Now, on the eve of Pearl Harbor, Harry himself must decide where his true allegiances lie."--BOOK JACKET.

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