The Apprentice

by Lewis Libby

At a remote mountain inn in the northernmost reaches of Japan, a raging blizzard has brought together wayfarers who share only fear, distrust, and suspicion of one another. In the winter of 1903, the country is beset with smallpox and war is brewing between Japan and Russia. Strangers have been seen in the woods surrounding the inn and the small village nearby.
In the flickering shadows of the crowded rooms, the apprentice, charged with running the inn during the owner's absence, finds himself strongly attracted to one of the performers lodged there. His involvement with the mysterious travelers plunges him headlong into a snow-clouded arena of violence and passion. Murder, first love, and heart-stopping chases through the snow drive the apprentice deeper into the entangled plottings of his enigmatic guests.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Japan, Fiction

239 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Lewis Libby, commonly known as Scooter Libby, was an American public official serving in the administration of George W. Bush until his trial and conviction on perjury and obstruction of justice charges. Libby was sentenced to 30 months in prison, but his sentence was commuted by President Bush. Libby was not pardoned. He is also known for his novel The Apprentice.

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sort of like kafka, written at a third grade level, without the humor, set in japan with a bit of extra bear rape thrown in.

[Justin]

Bear has sex with young girl. Need I say more?

[Cal Nordt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was reminded of my classmate and friend Scooter Libby when we greeted each other for the first time in 45 years at our Yale Class Reunion. I had to read his sort of famous book, to anyone who's researched his career or recalls articles on his relationship with the Bush Administration.

I had read some reviews but really didn't know what to expect. What I found was an excellent first book that maintained my interest from first chapter through its finish. He creates a world very strange to us and filled with mystery that grabbed me and wouldn't let go even through a sort of denouement in which a degree of profundity is expressed that in a sense is as mysterious as the whole novel.

It's only available on Kindle now and I'd really recommend it. I like books that are original in some way, and I wish Scooter had written more since I became entranced by the characters and the setting itself. He's created a world so unusual that it is just fun to live in safely in front of a Kindle screen, though not in real life.

[Liquidlasagna · Rating 1 out of 5]

one of the stranger books around....

im just trying to think who the audience is for this book!

Maybe he thought he would get the teen babysitter vote who just thought this might be another Stephen King book!

Maybe libby had nightmares after reading Goldilocks


[if you read this book]
[you must listen to this record]
While you read the book
tube
/watch?v=tT4OrMCMhz0


........

I think someone keyed in the purpose for writing the book, that it's basically wants to copy Kafka, but it reads like it was written by a nine year old.

It does have a plot, teenage prostitutes, and most of the book just endlessly writes about the surreal unreality of the snow for atmosphere. Even more disturbing every character has no personality, and i wonder if Scooter Libby is some sicko who liked the Story of O, where the character is a worthless 'zero' and gets what she deserves.... mushed up into the bizzaroland sicko world of Yukio Mishima and his odd nasty books, and Mishima was truly odd with his sexual tastes and political views. And then there's heyyyyyyy scooter!

scooter like Neo-conservative Leo Strauss and Mishima wants a fascist takeover with the Emperor back in power in 1970, and both aggressively spread honey on their toast, and hand it to their wives and say 'Grin and Bear it'.

and this book just slips in the bear rape and deer necrophilia to keep you from falling asleep

At least this isn't a book that reflects the psyche of a retired government official, no sir

---

Kirkus

First novel set in northernmost Japan in 1903, when war is brewing with Russia. The impending war, however, seems to have little to do with Libby's protagonist, an apprentice innkeeper named Setsuo, usually referred to as ``the youth.'' While the youth's master is gone, a terrible blizzard sets in and a motley crew is snowbound, including the various exotic members of a theatrical troupe.

A bearded man and a hunter also prepare to enter the inn, but at the last moment plunge onward in the storm. Their action seems suicidal, and, partly to impress a young woman in the troupe, Yukiku, and partly out of genuine concern, the youth chases after them.

He witnesses the bearded man's murder of the hunter, but the bearded man spares the youth and tries to warn him of something. The youth in turn, warming his hands on the dead man's body, takes his purse and discovers a mysterious box.

Murders ensue, as well as a quite literally steamy scene as the youth spies upon Yukiku in the inn's hot spring. Though questioned insistently by members of the troupe, the youth stubbornly denies knowledge of the box, thinking he could be linked to the theft of the dead man's purse.

The youth is beaten and left for dead, then befriended by a samurai in league with the bearded man.

The theatrical troupe are spies, it develops, and Yukiku an enemy seductress. The bearded man is a loyalist who returns with spring to explain that the youth has been a true patriot, shielding his country's war plans.

"Arise. You are reborn," the bearded man says. The youth accepts a reward and leaves the inn, his apprenticeship at an end.

Mostly atmosphere, but it's a satisfyingly romantic atmosphere, like that of an old, swashbuckling boys' novel dropped down in Japan, with a dash of Yukio Mishima for good measure.

Interestingly Libby has been described as: Dick Cheney's Dick Cheney

and it seems that he took the fall for saving Karl Rove
over the Plame leaks

---

CBS News

The novel earned Libby favorable reviews. The Boston Globe called The Apprentice an "alluring novel of intrigue

while the New York Times Book Review said Libby's "storytelling skill neatly mixes conspiratorial murmurs with a boy's emotional turmoil."

When asked by Larry King in 2002 if he was a novelist working part-time for the vice president, Libby said: "I'm a great fan of the vice president. I think he's one of the smartest, most honorable people I've ever met. So, I'd like to consider myself fully on his team, but there's always a novel kicking around in the back somewhere."

---

Review Stream

Many have made note of the 'raunchy' books written by notable republicans and/or conservatives. Examples would include Bill O'Reilly's book, those who trespass (a book I have read and which really isn't that raunchy), Lynn Cheney's Sisters (which includes lesbian love scenes) and now the 1996 book by news-making Lewis 'Scooter' Libby, Vice President Cheney's Chief of Staff, indicted for lying and obstructing justice in the Valerie Plame affair.

While books such as Cheney's Sisters or O'Reilly's Those Who Trespass are funny, if not exactly great literature, Libby's book (based upon excerpts and reviews I have read, I have not nor do I intend to ever buy and/or read this book) is simply disgusting and degenerate.

The story focuses on the enforced prostitution of prepubescent girls in early 20th century Japan. A disgusting topic in itself, and one that hardly needs to be dramatized, especially in a book like this (which describes many sex acts with underage girls, as well as other disgusting sex acts and even bestiality).

Why this book was written I will never know. There is no need for it to be written. While the subject matter is of course based on something that was actually a problem (and is still a major problem today), the book itself seems to do little to attack this system, and seems to revel in its own degeneracy. The excerpts I have read are someof the most disgusting things I have ever seen written down, and I have read some pretty bad stuff.

The fact of the matter is that this book is entirely gratuitous. There is no overarching reason for it. There is no good done with this book.

The fact that someone so high in the Presidential administration could think up/write about this stuff makes me want to vomit. Truthfully, it makes me physically ill.

This book does not need to be reprinted. I understand the reasons for it, but again I say there is no reason for it. Lynn Cheney writing about lesbian lovers in the Old West? In a somewhat detached fashion?

That's funny.

O'Reilly writing in a couple of extremely tame sex scenes (by today's standards) into his subpar mystery/thriller novel?

Funny.

The Vice President's Chief of Staff glorifying bestiality (with a dead deer), rape, underage prostitution and underage sex acts?

Degenerate. No need for it.

Let the book fester in the underworld of all bad fiction.
There is no need to bring it back into the light of day.

Although it does tell me a lot about the mind of Mr. Libby. And for that I am grateful, although a part of me wishes that this kind of stuff wasn't written by some of the most powerful people in the nation.

anonymous

---

Marty Moss-Coaine: Have you read Lewis Libby's book, The Apprentice?

Steven Colbert: Oh yes, we got it when the indictment was announced and bought it for $130. That was before the artificial bubble price of $500.

Marty Moss-Coaine: So in the book, there's this bizarre passage in which a madam trains a bear to violate this girl so that she becomes frigid and ready for a life of prostitution...

Steven Colbert: Those bears man, they steal our honey, and now they rape our women!

---

Note, there are wonderful photos of Libby on the intertubes and he's walking on crutches, since he busted his collarbone riding a bicycle. I guess he should have rode a scooter.

[Titus Burley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Separate yourself from the political aspect of the writer and you might actually enjoy this book. I glanced at some of the reviews before considering penning my own and found them entirely dishonest; in fact, I wondered how many of the people giving it 1 star and offering such derogatory responses even read it. It's an interesting and to some degree highly original first novel. There are vague aspects which at times detract and there appears a stylistic intent to keep protagonist back story and even historical context to a minimum. The snow locked setting, which itself establishes an inescapable claustrophobia for the characters whose fates are bound together not unlike people stuck on a small island, gives the story great intimacy and immediacy. Like many suspense novels the drama takes place not over a large stretch of time, but primarily over the course of three days. The narrative device of identifying the protagonist interchangeably as "the youth," "the apprentice" or occasionally "the innkeeper," distracted more than simply calling him by name (Only Yukiko, the girl with whom he has fallen in love, says his name). But that is a small criticism in an otherwise intriguing novel that because of its setting alone - a far northern Japanese village - gives the reader a glimpse into a foreign world that even in the microcosm of a snow locked inn offers a real sense of foreignness and international intrigue. Unlike some who have called the prose third grade or amateurish, I found it flowing and rather lyrical. And given some responses, you would think that sexually the book would cause the readers of Fifty Shades Of Gray to blush, but if perversity is what you are looking for or hoping for, you won't get but a few vague references. Any deviancy, and there is some referenced, fits within the context of Japanese culture and historical legend. Funny that readers of "A Game Of Thrones" read passages much bawdier than these and praise the books, but act disgusted by some implied deviancy in a book written by someone considered "notorious." Bottom line, not knowing much about the author or his historical context, I read the book with an open mind and enjoyed it enough that I think he should stick to novels and write more of them. One man's opinion.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this book has been in my library for at least 6 years. I picked it up in the dollar section of my very favorite used book store, and finally got around to reading it this year.
The story takes place in Japan during a rough winter in the early 1900s and follows the character of an innkeepers apprentice through a series of odd incidents and sketchy guests.
There were some technical aspects to the writing that I occasionally found to be odd, but I aside from that I enjoyed the story as it unraveled.
So when I got to goodreads I was quite surprised to see such an incredibly low rating, and surprised even more to see the author is actually a previous staffer of the George Bush administration, and that this book was mocked on the Colbert Report. I do love me a great Colbert satire, and am borderline in love with Colbert, but I had no idea about the author's background before reading and I’m glad that I didn’t because I don’t think I would have otherwise enjoyed the book. It seems most of the poor ratings are probably from people who didn’t actually read the book, and instead just mocked what they heard about it.
In any case, it is very old news, perhaps a decade old- oldnews. So I will just end by saying it was a quiet read, often dull but also often engrossing, it keeps you wondering because you only have the perspective of the apprentice and his narrative frequently seems unreliable and extremely paranoid.
A decent enough read, but if I had to pick a historical fiction set in Japan again I would have probably tried a different book with a little more depth or suspense.

[Wrenn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a total disappointment. The book would have made a better short story, frankly. There was no character development whatsoever - in fact, the characters are extremely rarely referred to by name at all - and the story moved at about the same speed it would have taken all that snow in the book to melt. Characters get introduced that not only have no purpose, but in some cases you never hear from again, and nobody has any personality at all.

I kept reading along thinking that the thing was going somewhere, but what a waste of time - there was no real conclusion at all. You never find out what the heck was really going on. (For the record, it wasn't as though I missed some historical context there - I have a bachelor's in history with an emphasis on Asian history, which, hilariously, is one of the reasons I thought the book sounded fun.) Not only that, the lame main character gets everything he could presumably ever want in the end. It was lazy writing from start to finish.

I recommend you save your precious time and read something - anything - else.

[Alesa · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you want lengthy descriptions of snow, snow and more snow (oh yes, a storm with snow in it too), and characters who lack names, and a murder, and not much at all happening (or at least nothing that you can figure out) and lots of supposedly meaningful looks without words ... then this is the novel for you.

I couldn't finish it.

[DoctorM · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unexpected find... A dark and brooding murder mystery set in the Snow Country of Japan back around the time of the Russo-Japanese War in 1904/05. Great sense of the landscape and the winter, characters who are never quite what you imagine them to be.

[Kathleen B. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written. Bad plot. Only made it halfway through before throwing it away.

[Jchin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tried to go into "The Apprenitce" with as open a mind as possible despite a lot of negative comments. As a story, it was a bit far-reaching in what it tried to do...and certainly, the description of sex-scene with the bear and the hunters violating the deer's carcass were shocking, and I really think unnecessary for the flow of the story. "The Apprentice" is really not a bad read in a lot ways.

1) Strictly from the point of view of sentence structure and use of language, "The Apprentice" is pretty decent.

2) I thought that the plot was actually a different take on the murder-mystery meets romance and uber-brief bildungsroman in which The Youth comes of age and realizes that love happens in fragements and it the anticipation of love/yearning that makes it so satisfying and worthwhile. This is what Libby was trying to get across as he had Ueda tell the story of Yukiko as the prostitute with the bear...it was the story that turned the men on just as it was the pantomime of the little girl dancing and exposing herself under the pretense of false tears.

3) Continuity is probably the downfall of the novel. This is where Libby got in trouble...he tried to do too much in "The Apprentice," and I think for most readers this may be the underlying tone that caused a disconnect.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Painfully dull read. Getting it out of the dollar sale should have clued me in.
The book is about an apprentice of an inn who stumbles upon trouble, and ends up bringing the trouble back to the inn and all the stranded guests inside.
It was a blurry read..hard to follow, hard to envision. It was cold, dead read.
I actually skipped ahead and I never ever do that.
The last few pages were actually the only good thing about the book.

[Erica · Rating 1 out of 5]

The beautiful woodblock print on the cover and the fact that was set in Japan was what drew me in, but it really was not that interesting or well-written. It was really vague at times, so you had to guess at what actually happens.

[Shawn Reilly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled to complete this book, as I couldn't see a reason for telling the tale. There is hardly any background about any of the characters, in fact, I can't remember if we learned all of their names.

Some of the story is just disturbing, and I'm sure I would not recommend this book.

[Paul Westwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strangely compelling story. It's a brooding tale of secret love and it's a murder mystery with intrigue and deception. There are some disturbing anecdotes that give it a nasty edge.

[Another short review from when I was just starting out on that path, which now seems to take longer and longer!]

[Adelina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've never intentionally stopped reading a book! This was just awful. Besides being hard to follow, and not always making a lot of sense, there were some completely unnecessary parts in it.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surreal and minimalist suspense. Most enjoyable.

[Heather Champagne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish!!!

[ateedub]

That's right. I bought it. Before it was selling on Amazon for $2,000. And yes, it is that bad.