Giri

Manny Decker #1

by Marc Olden

Book by Olden, Marc

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Action, Pulp

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Marc Olden (1933–2003) was the author of forty mystery and suspense novels. Born in Baltimore, he began writing while working in New York as a Broadway publicist. His first book, Angela Davis (1973), was a nonfiction study of the controversial Black Panther. In 1973 he also published Narc, under the name Robert Hawke, beginning a hard-boiled nine-book series about a federal narcotics agent.

A year later, Black Samurai introduced Robert Sand, a martial arts expert who becomes the first non-Japanese student of a samurai master. Based on Olden’s own interest in martial arts, which led him to the advanced ranks of karate and aikido, the novel spawned a successful eight-book series. Olden continued writing for the next three decades, often drawing on his fascination with Japanese culture and history.

Reviews

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giri represents Olden in top form, a novel of intrigue, violence and revenge. The protagonist, Manny Decker, now works as a cop in NYC, and also as a special liaison to a federal task force hunting organized crime. The prologue/first chapter features some 'kung foo' expert stalking a businesswoman and eventually raping and killing her. We do not learn the identity of the guy until much later.

Like most Olden novels, a rather long backstory of the main characters gets doled out along the way. The main characters all knew each other in Saigon circa 1975 just before the city fell to the NVA. We have a mob boss from NYC whose company build bases and such for American GIs, and also assisted the CIA in running heroin (and transported lots back to the USA). Decker was serving in Vietnam as a marine and had a Japanese lover Michi, whose father, a Japanese businessman, corrupt as hell, 'aided' the South Vietnamese and smuggled out diamonds, gold and heroin. Sparrowhawk, a British 'man of fortune and former SAS operative, ran covert missions for the CIA freelance, along with Robbie, an American killer. The gist is that the CIA decided the Japanese businessman had to go before the final pullout of Saigon and the others of the cabal assisted, turning him over to the Vietcong. Decker had no part in this, being merely a grunt, but the cabal blew up the Japanese estate, killing the wife and daughters, including Michi (or so Decker thought).

Flash forward to 'now' (circa 1980) and the all the gang reside in NYC. Sparrowhawk runs a security company with ties to the Mob, now lead by the same mobster we met in Saigon. Turns out Decker and Robbie have a history, as both are killer kung foo fighters and met in a few matches, with Decker losing both times. One day, Michi turns up at Decker's dojo and surprises the hell out of him. Turns out she did not get offed in Vietnam after all! What has she been doing for the last 6 years? Now she runs a diamond wholesale business in NYC with ties to Japan. She has come for vengeance, however, to kill off the cabal that did her father in...

The complex plotting, rich characters and hefty splashes of kung foo round this out nicely. While pulpy for sure, few other authors rode the wave of Japanese action thrillers as nicely as Olden. If you have not read him before, this would be a good place to start. 4 karate chops!!!

[Mikepottz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never strike too soon or too late. If no opening appears, create one. A women will have her larynx crushed, her nose cracked and broken from deadly kicks, she will be sexually assaulted, a scarifce for the God of War. Decker ex marine, now cop spent time in Saigon during the war. Wants to take down guys from his Saigon past. Robbie ex seal, enemy of Decker, crazy, sick, karate expect, women hater, rapist and murderer. Sparrowhawk ex SAS Major, now head of security company and dealing with the mafia. These guys are going to collide, blood spraying and dripping Fugazi fucked up. Michi a mysterious Japanese beauty, samurai connections, torn between her responsibilities to her families deaths and her love of Decker. Hadn't read this in over 35 years and still captures the martial arts and Japanese culture extremely well.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's weird but when I read this (twice) in the Kung Fu crazy eighties this was my favourite book. In my tiny mind this remained so. But having done the thing that most men do I have gone back in time and embraced things from my past. (Not women) Books and films, comics and Graphic novels.
While I prefer the simpler tone to all the comics, somehow my reading book tastes have evolved. People who read my missives know that I do this on a regular basis.
Anyhow, still enjoyed the book but it is stuck in it's time and is unable to move on with me.
The simple tale of a serial killer is timeless, as is revenge. But the settings remain trapped in the past.
For this I have removed one star. Sometimes it doesn't pay to re read the past.
If you like the Martial arts, revenge and are a fan of Eric Van Lustbader's earlier novels. then this is for you. I have read all of Marc Olden's Asia books and they still deliver a nice roundhouse.

[Pawarut Jongsirirag · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giri หมายถึง หน้าที่เเต่ในอีกความหมายคือ การเเก้เเค้น

เล่มนี้เหมือนเราดูหนัง Action Martial-Art ยุค 80 90 นำเเสดงโดย Jean-Claude Van Damme อะไรทำนองนั้น เนื้อเรื่องเป็นไปตามสูตรสำเร็จทั่วๆไป ตำรวจจับผู้ร้าย ตัวร้ายเก่งเวอร์วัง ตัวเอกมีปมเคยพ่ายตัวร้ายมาก่อน เเละต้องกลับมาเจอกันอีกครั้ง

เเม้จะดำเนินเนื้อเรื่องตามสูตรสำเร็จเเต่ Olden เขียนเรื่องนี้โดยให้บรรยากาศเหมือนเราอ่านบทหนังมากกว่านิยาย การตัดสลับฉาก บทพูด จังหวะการเปลี่ยนเเง่มุมการเล่าเรื่อง เหมือนเราอ่านบทหนังมาก

เเม้บทบู๊จะน้อยไปนิด เเต่ส่วนที่เด่นชัดในส่วนของบทบู๊คือการบรรยายจิตวิญญาณของนักคาราเต้ การฝึกจิตใจ เกียรติของนักสู้ เรียกได้ว่าปรัชญาของผู้ฝึกวิชาต่อสู้เป็นเเก่นเรื่องสำคัญที่ Olden ต้องการเเสดงให้เห็นในนิยายเล่มนี้..

[Christopher Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

"His mind would have to be in a state of mushin, detached, clear, ready to respond to any attack without consciously thinking about it, not bound to any technique. Shiki soku se ku, ku soku ze shiki. Form becomes emptiness, emptiness becomes form."

[Mike Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

A re-read of a book first read many years ago. Enjoyed it again. Need to find some more by this author

[Donald Trump · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bigly!
*** 3 Stars.

[Steven Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading Marc Olden's books blending Eastern and Western cultures. Olden reads like a cleaner but as violent Eric Lustbader, another author whom I enjoy reading his books. Olden's characters are well fleshed-out, and their motives are clearly defined, if not at the first mention of the character.

Giri involves a Samurai woman bent on vengeance. With connections to the Vietnam War, CIA dirty drug money laundering, the NYPD, and a look at blending Japanese and American business cultures, Giri is an good if short read.

Violence is prevalent as is the ceremonial murder and rape of women by the evil character. Seppuku by several women is also prevalent. This book is not for children, but for an adult it is a good read if you enjoy such tales. The sex is not as graphic as is in Lustbader's books, but is frequent.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel describes how a few Vietnam vets work in organized crime circles while the good guy, Decker, apprehends them and delivers revenge. It has a lot of karate violence, and some Japanese customs written in it. The plot is quite predictable. It was fast, worthless reading, but entertaining.

[Frank Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Martial Arts Masterpiece

Marc Olden is a master of adventure fiction. His martial action is technically flawless and his pacing intense. I highly recommend his writing to everyone who enjoys action and intrigue.

[Frank Docherty]

This book is an action book and is fast paced, it has a Japanese theme

[Melvin Castle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read, recommended! Olden's work is a breath of fresh air.