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Oni
Oni Mass Market Paperback by Marc Olden (Author)
528 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
13 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Marc Olden
52 books40 followersMarc 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 8, 2025
Marc Olden wrote a pack of pulpy thrillers with an Asian angle in the 80s and Oni fits in with the best of them. Like most of Olden's novels, this possesses a complex, intricate plot and some memorial characters. The focus rests on Mujin, a Japanese conglomerate worth billions. The CEO (and 'ruler', as the firm has a feudal structure!) is dying and a power struggle awaits his death for the next at the helm. Reiko Gennai, the CEO's wife, really, really wants her son to assume the role; he works in the financial sector of the firm. Why? Because then Reiko can still basically run the conglomerate as she did through her husband, only now her son will be the big boss.
Yet, a spectre looms over Reiko's dreams. During WWII, her husband ran a POW camp in Japan for 'upper-class' prisoners, like ambassadors, businessmen and the like. He wanted to distill new business models, for he say Japan's military defeat happening, but thought the next war would be economic, and he wanted Japan to win that one! Remember the 70s and 80s when Japan was the next economic superpower? I do!
Well, it seems someone in the firm has been leaking secrets to some people in the West. One recipient, a retired British Lord, seeks to write a book to expose some dirty secrets Reiko wants to stay hidden. It seems one of the prisoners in the POW camp was the Brit's wife, who died there. There is also a connection to an American media tycoon, who really works to further the Mujin's interests in the USA. There is also a pesky US Senator who knows the Brit, and an American journalist that the tycoon ruined and he wants revenge also.
Our lead, Edward Penny, starts the novel working for the Senator basically as a bodyguard/security expert. What gets his short hairs rising concerns who Reiko hired to bury the entire mess, a man called Oni, which means demon in Japanese. Oni, half Russian, half Japanese, has become the world's most notorious assassin, and if he is hunting the Senator, Penny knows he must be at the top of his game. Penny, no slouch himself, served in Vietnam, special forces, and retired to work all kinds of odd jobs, including mercenary, but usually security.
Do not expect a linear story here, as Olden, in almost trademark fashion, provides lots of flashbacks to build his characters. We learn the story of what happened in WWII, the backstory on Oni, and indeed, most of the characters. These flashbacks break up the narrative occasionally, but I enjoyed them nonetheless. Lots of intrigue, thoughts on Japanese culture and business models, some killer karate (of course), and a ruthless hitman on a mission. Good stuff! 4 pulpy stars!
Yet, a spectre looms over Reiko's dreams. During WWII, her husband ran a POW camp in Japan for 'upper-class' prisoners, like ambassadors, businessmen and the like. He wanted to distill new business models, for he say Japan's military defeat happening, but thought the next war would be economic, and he wanted Japan to win that one! Remember the 70s and 80s when Japan was the next economic superpower? I do!
Well, it seems someone in the firm has been leaking secrets to some people in the West. One recipient, a retired British Lord, seeks to write a book to expose some dirty secrets Reiko wants to stay hidden. It seems one of the prisoners in the POW camp was the Brit's wife, who died there. There is also a connection to an American media tycoon, who really works to further the Mujin's interests in the USA. There is also a pesky US Senator who knows the Brit, and an American journalist that the tycoon ruined and he wants revenge also.
Our lead, Edward Penny, starts the novel working for the Senator basically as a bodyguard/security expert. What gets his short hairs rising concerns who Reiko hired to bury the entire mess, a man called Oni, which means demon in Japanese. Oni, half Russian, half Japanese, has become the world's most notorious assassin, and if he is hunting the Senator, Penny knows he must be at the top of his game. Penny, no slouch himself, served in Vietnam, special forces, and retired to work all kinds of odd jobs, including mercenary, but usually security.
Do not expect a linear story here, as Olden, in almost trademark fashion, provides lots of flashbacks to build his characters. We learn the story of what happened in WWII, the backstory on Oni, and indeed, most of the characters. These flashbacks break up the narrative occasionally, but I enjoyed them nonetheless. Lots of intrigue, thoughts on Japanese culture and business models, some killer karate (of course), and a ruthless hitman on a mission. Good stuff! 4 pulpy stars!
April 30, 2022
I love this bonkers book.
It's a Robert Ludlum type of story - an international conspiracy, and forces of unimaginable evil that only one individual could thwart. But it's by Marc Olden, writing for a 1980s audience who were fascinated with ninjas and mysterious Asian societies, so there is a ton of kinky sex and detailed martial arts violence. 'Oni' also features Olden's best villain, reminiscent of (but preceding) Hideo Yamamoto's 'Ichi the Killer'. Olden spends a huge amount of time delving into his backstory and psychology, to the extent that he becomes more compelling than the nominal protagonist.
Side note: I always thought that William Diehl's '27', which was released three years later, drew some inspiration from Olden's 'Oni'. Lots of similarities.
It's a Robert Ludlum type of story - an international conspiracy, and forces of unimaginable evil that only one individual could thwart. But it's by Marc Olden, writing for a 1980s audience who were fascinated with ninjas and mysterious Asian societies, so there is a ton of kinky sex and detailed martial arts violence. 'Oni' also features Olden's best villain, reminiscent of (but preceding) Hideo Yamamoto's 'Ichi the Killer'. Olden spends a huge amount of time delving into his backstory and psychology, to the extent that he becomes more compelling than the nominal protagonist.
Side note: I always thought that William Diehl's '27', which was released three years later, drew some inspiration from Olden's 'Oni'. Lots of similarities.
December 24, 2025
A great book with lots of references to Japanese samurai culture, lore and myths through the lens of a Westerner fascinated by the stuff in the 80s. I loved how almost every character and every plot development was further explained in detail in between the ongoing plot. Complex and long back stories that don’t feel boring or interrupt the suspense.
Combining the attitude of the samurai lifestyle and old Japanese warfare with a globalized capitalist company with a strong, dangerous and horrible mogul at top that tries her best to cling to her power,who is also called empress throughout, felt smart and beautifully chosen by the author.
All in all a really good crime thriller with brutal and action packed chapters to intrigues that really need time to figure them all out.
Combining the attitude of the samurai lifestyle and old Japanese warfare with a globalized capitalist company with a strong, dangerous and horrible mogul at top that tries her best to cling to her power,who is also called empress throughout, felt smart and beautifully chosen by the author.
All in all a really good crime thriller with brutal and action packed chapters to intrigues that really need time to figure them all out.
February 24, 2015
Reads like a cross between James Clavell and Robert Ludlum. ONI is a sprawling, intricately plotted epic thriller--one that requires a good deal of mental effort, but which rewards you for your patience.
Superficially, the plot is very exciting: a burned-out Special Forces vet joins with a U.S. congresswoman in trying to take down Japan's biggest conglomerate, which secretly took part in WW2 atrocities and now has influential ties with the U.S. government. This Japanese conglomerate may have a traitor in its midst, but it is also protected by the most lethal and heartless assassin in all the world: a man so evil, he is known as "Oni," a Japanese demon.
Sounds thrilling, right? Well, it is. But it's also surprisingly slow. About 60% of this book is backstory, mostly detailing the personal histories of the principal characters. In fact, author Marc Olden spends so much time on this stuff, that ONI winds up being more of a character study than an action thriller. Imagine something like the movie MAGNOLIA, only with ninjas and lots of torture and bloodshed. The plot of this book is so complicated and carefully intertwined that you really have to stay on your toes to make complete sense of it all. About two-thirds of the way through, Olden gives a recap of everything that has happened up to that point, as though even he doesn't trust in the reader's ability to keep up.
Superficially, the plot is very exciting: a burned-out Special Forces vet joins with a U.S. congresswoman in trying to take down Japan's biggest conglomerate, which secretly took part in WW2 atrocities and now has influential ties with the U.S. government. This Japanese conglomerate may have a traitor in its midst, but it is also protected by the most lethal and heartless assassin in all the world: a man so evil, he is known as "Oni," a Japanese demon.
Sounds thrilling, right? Well, it is. But it's also surprisingly slow. About 60% of this book is backstory, mostly detailing the personal histories of the principal characters. In fact, author Marc Olden spends so much time on this stuff, that ONI winds up being more of a character study than an action thriller. Imagine something like the movie MAGNOLIA, only with ninjas and lots of torture and bloodshed. The plot of this book is so complicated and carefully intertwined that you really have to stay on your toes to make complete sense of it all. About two-thirds of the way through, Olden gives a recap of everything that has happened up to that point, as though even he doesn't trust in the reader's ability to keep up.
April 8, 2015
Another good book from this author. Decent blend of Western and Asian cultures with emphasis on Japanese business culture (usually in a negative way).
August 12, 2020
Fascinating read, recommended! Olden's work is a breath of fresh air.
March 2, 2021
ซื้อมามั่วๆ เพราะเห็นมันเก่าดี คือมันเป็นนิยายที่เหลืองกรอบ ที่ผ่านเวลามาก่อนผมเกิด คือเกิน 30 ปี เสียอีก เป็นนิยายยาวแปลเรื่องแรกขอองนิตยสาร image
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เล่มที่ 64/2021 (174)
Oni
by Marc Olden
แปล
สุวิทย์ขาวปลอด
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.
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ฆ่ากันทั้งเรื่อง 555
เป็นเรื่องที่สนุก แต่ยาวเกินความจำเป็น
ตัวละครที่ไม่จำเป็นเยอะมากกก
เล่าเรื่องราวอ้อมโลกไปหน่อย
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แต่แน่นอนฉากบู๊ ถึงพริกถึงขิง และ คุณ สุวิทย์ ขาวปลอดทำหน้าที่แปลได้ดีเหลือเกิน
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เรื่องราวของ นักฆ่าที่โหดร้าย เก่ง และ น่ากลัวที่สุดในโลกอย่าง โอนิ ที่เข้าไปเกี่ยวพันกับตระกูลที่ร่ำรวย สูงสุดของญี่ปุ่น โดยตระกูลนี้ค่อนข้างมาเฟีย ทั้งสองฝ่ายต้องมาเกี่ยวข้องกันเพราะเหตุการณ์โหดร้ายที่ Oni ต้องการล้างแค้น
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ความเห็น
- Oni นี่คือจอนวิคเลย ครับ 55 ฉากต่อสู้สนุกดี
- คงหาอ่านยากแล้วเเหละ
- หนังสือใส่ตัวละครมาทุกชนชาติ ไม่ว่า อเมริกา รัสเซีย จีน ญี่ปุ่น หรือแม้กระทั่งประเทศไทย โดยกล่าวถึงไทย ในแง่ลบ ทั้งสิน (ฮา) เช่น เป้นผู้ก่อการร้ายมาหลบบ้าง เป็นที่ระบายความใคร่บ้าง
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6.5/10 หักคะแนนเพราะมันควรมีแค่ 200 กว่าหน้า แต่ผมฝืนอ่านจบไปครบ 600 หน้า ฮ่าๆ
.
เล่มที่ 64/2021 (174)
Oni
by Marc Olden
แปล
สุวิทย์ขาวปลอด
.
.
.
ฆ่ากันทั้งเรื่อง 555
เป็นเรื่องที่สนุก แต่ยาวเกินความจำเป็น
ตัวละครที่ไม่จำเป็นเยอะมากกก
เล่าเรื่องราวอ้อมโลกไปหน่อย
.
แต่แน่นอนฉากบู๊ ถึงพริกถึงขิง และ คุณ สุวิทย์ ขาวปลอดทำหน้าที่แปลได้ดีเหลือเกิน
.
เรื่องราวของ นักฆ่าที่โหดร้าย เก่ง และ น่ากลัวที่สุดในโลกอย่าง โอนิ ที่เข้าไปเกี่ยวพันกับตระกูลที่ร่ำรวย สูงสุดของญี่ปุ่น โดยตระกูลนี้ค่อนข้างมาเฟีย ทั้งสองฝ่ายต้องมาเกี่ยวข้องกันเพราะเหตุการณ์โหดร้ายที่ Oni ต้องการล้างแค้น
.
.
ความเห็น
- Oni นี่คือจอนวิคเลย ครับ 55 ฉากต่อสู้สนุกดี
- คงหาอ่านยากแล้วเเหละ
- หนังสือใส่ตัวละครมาทุกชนชาติ ไม่ว่า อเมริกา รัสเซีย จีน ญี่ปุ่น หรือแม้กระทั่งประเทศไทย โดยกล่าวถึงไทย ในแง่ลบ ทั้งสิน (ฮา) เช่น เป้นผู้ก่อการร้ายมาหลบบ้าง เป็นที่ระบายความใคร่บ้าง
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6.5/10 หักคะแนนเพราะมันควรมีแค่ 200 กว่าหน้า แต่ผมฝืนอ่านจบไปครบ 600 หน้า ฮ่าๆ
August 11, 2024
My favourite book I’ve read a long time. He loves a tangent, but I appreciate that as a means of adding colour and drawing out some tense moments. Really fun to read, proper page turner
February 12, 2017
This title has been replaced twice because I love it to death! lol
November 13, 2012
Good read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews