Shibumi: A Novel of Mastery and Power by Trevanian

Shibumi: A Novel

by Trevanian

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1806 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	448 pages

FREE

Shibumi is a 1979 novel by Trevanian (pseudonym for Rodney William Whitaker). It is a story of Nicholai Hel, a professional assassin and master Go player. The novel explores the concept of shibumi, a Japanese aesthetic ideal, and how it relates to mastery, power, and the nature of the human experience.

Plot

Nicholai Hel is a master assassin, trained from childhood to be the perfect killing machine. He is also a master Go player, and he finds that the two disciplines are deeply interconnected. Go is a game of strategy and patience, and it teaches him the importance of control and timing. Assassination is a game of life and death, and it teaches him the importance of precision and efficiency.

When Hel is hired to assassinate a powerful businessman, he finds himself caught in a web of intrigue and betrayal. He must use all of his skills and knowledge to survive, and he must also confront his own inner demons.

Characters

Nicholai Hel is the protagonist of the novel. He is a professional assassin and master Go player. He is a complex and enigmatic character, and he is both feared and respected by those who know him.

The Old Man is Hel's mentor and teacher. He is a wise and enigmatic figure, and he helps Hel to understand the true nature of shibumi.

The Chairman is the powerful businessman that Hel is hired to assassinate. He is a ruthless and ambitious man, and he is determined to achieve his goals at any cost.

Themes

The novel explores a number of themes, including:

• Mastery: Hel is a master assassin and Go player. He has dedicated his life to perfecting his skills, and he is always striving to improve.
• Power: Hel is a powerful man, but he does not use his power for evil. He believes that power should be used for good, and he is always willing to help those in need.
• Shibumi: Shibumi is a Japanese aesthetic ideal that emphasizes simplicity, elegance, and understatement. Hel believes that shibumi is the key to true mastery, and he strives to embody it in all that he does.

Reception

Shibumi was a critical and commercial success. It has been praised for its complex and well-developed characters, its intricate plot, and its exploration of deep philosophical themes. The novel has been translated into over 20 languages, and it has sold over 10 million copies worldwide.

Shibumi is a classic novel that is still relevant today. It is a story of mastery, power, and the nature of the human experience. It is a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

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Shibumi: A Novel

by Trevanian

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1806 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	448 pages

FREE