Aug 23, 2006 11:51 PM
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I am an ardent fan of Michael Crichton. There is one distinctive quality about his books. Even if the book is categorised as Thriller, or Fiction, or anything, it is ALWAYS based on a heavy research. I was amused when I saw, for the first time, a 'Bibliography' section for a Suspense Thriller (State of Fear). But this Author is genuine about it all... He really researches a lot, paying attention to details. And then, no wonder each of his books comes out to be the "#1 Bestseller"...
Rising Sun is a story that revolves around a Murder that takes place during the grand opening of American Headquarters of Nakamoto - A Gient Conglomerate. Lieutenant Smith is the Special Services Officer, learning Japanese as a part of his job. He is assigned the responsibility to make sure there is no tension between the LAPD and the Japanese nationals during the enquiry.
However, the heat is soon on, when he discovers it is a murder, probably by someone attending the Party a floor below the boardroom where the murder takes place. The investigation begins, and there starts a three day drama, where the lieutenant, or his mentor, John Connor, don't get a moment of rest while getting to the bottom of the mistery. Soon a couple of murders, a missing tape, and relentless accusitions on the duo and on the police regarding their so-called 'racist' behaviour, increase the pressure on them to a maddenning height. And how shocking the climax turns out to be!!!
Throughout the book, the Author makes sure he does not assume a Japan-bashing tone. In fact, he introduces the readers to Japanese culture, traditions, ways... Here is an excerpt -
"It'll help to be formal. Stand straight and keep your suit jacket buttoned at all times. If they bow to you, don't bow back - just give a little head nod. A foreigner will never master the etiquette of bowing. Don't even try."
"Okay," I said.
"When you start to deal with the Japanese, remember that they don't like to negotiate. They find it too confrontational In their own society they avoid it whenever possible."
"Okay."
"Control your gestures. Keep your hands at your sides. The Japanese find big arm movements threatening. Speak slowly. Keep your voice calm and even."
"Okay."
"If you can."
"Okay."
"It may be difficult to do. The Japanese can be irritating. You'll probably find them irritating tonight. Handle it as best you can. But whatever happens, don't lose your temper."
While it is a fact that Japanese investments in America increased every year, the Author wants people of America to wake up and understand the situation. Because the philosophy of the Japanese people is simple - "Business is War". And they make sure that they not only have the most superior products, they sell them in a way to wipe out the competition.
There are innumerable examples throughout the book that scream how dangerous the reality is. That the American High Tech Industry is no more natively governed, it is the Japanese who influence it. That they invest in their society, they invest in their Institutions, even in their Law Enforcement.. All in a very subtle way, so as to not create an impression that they are on the way to BUY America, but at the same time making sure that they have a lot of influence in making sure the things run the way they deem correct.
The book makes for an intellectual reading, at the same time being a suspense-thriller feast... The Author emphasises on the fact in the Afterword, that Americans should now take notice that Japan is no longer just a tiny Asian state, but it is a leading industrialised nation. In theory, Foreign Direct Investments sound good, but in practice, when someone invests in a country's institutes, or technology, it is always a thing to stop and think about... As he concludes, the Americans should always remember that Japan is 'not their Savior, but is a competetor', and they should 'never forget it.' Because Japanese have a simple way of looking at trade - "If you don't want Japan to buy it, don't sale it"
In writing this review, I made use of some websites / material available in the book. Here are some links of Interest -
1) Official Website of the Author - https://crichton-official.com
2) Webpage for "Rising Sun" - https://crichton-official.com/sun/index.html
3) IMDb link for Rising Sun - A Movie Based on this Novel - https://imdb.com/title/tt0107969/
And the best thing I like about the author is the last line, which is always there when he releases such "realistic fiction" books - "I wish to state clearly that the views expressed in this novel are my own..." So much for the media, where we are habituated to reading lines like the publisher or the editor may not agree with the views expressed...
