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The Fifth Profession
From the bestselling author of First Blood comes a spectacular thriller, in which a former Navy SEAL and a Japanese samurai master are bound together in a terrifying past that never happened.
498 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
About the author
David Morrell
233 books1,560 followersDavid Morrell is a Canadian novelist from Kitchener, Ontario, who has been living in the United States for a number of years. He is best known for his debut 1972 novel First Blood, which would later become a successful film franchise starring Sylvester Stallone. More recently, he has been writing the Captain America comic books limited-series The Chosen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
July 27, 2021
A very uneven thriller by Morrell for sure. First published in 1990, the MC is Savage, a former Navy SEAL who is now a security specialist; we also have as leads Akira, a Japanese executive protector and Rachel Stone, a (of course) beautiful American women who starts out as a captive of her egomaniac husband. To put this book in context, it helps to remember the 1980s and Japan. Japan was the 'new' economic powerhouse globally, running huge trade surpluses and using the capital generated to buy up lots of American assets and such. Students in college were all learning Japanese and it seems everything was being made in Japan-- cars, electronics, appliances, etc. There was a real fascination with Japan at the time, with best sellers books like Shōgun, and Morrell definitely jumped on that bandwagon. He gives us some interesting historical background on Japan, especially regarding its relationship to the rest of the world; he also explores to a degree Japanese culture (simplistic, but still). China today is what Japan was in the 1980s.
The story begins with Savage being tapped by his agent to rescue Rachel from her husband's villa on a Greek island. In a classic, tension filled ride, we follow Savage on his mission, eventually getting Rachel away, but of course lots of trials and tribulations along the way. During the rescue, Savage thinks he sees Akira, someone he meet once before during a disastrous operation about 6 months prior, working with Rachel's guards. Sure enough, he finds them during the rescue and helps out. The crazy thing, however, is that both Akira and Savage were sure they saw each other get beheaded on the last mission (the 'principle' was also killed). How could they both have false memories about it, for surely they were both alive right now? This takes us to the heart of the novel and the remaining 4/5ths of it.
Gradually, Savage and Akira realize that something/someone has tampered with their memories, but who and why? The novel turns from thriller to mystery quest as the two, along with rescued Rachel, try to unravel the mystery. That is enough for the plot; now why I am so mixed on this one.
First, it starts off in a classic, blood pumping way as Savage makes his daring rescue operation, but the entire rest of the book is something quite different, and so full of plot holes it is not even funny. A good mystery should be, well, mysterious, with lots of twists and turns until the denouement reveals all. TFP followed this path for sure, but the final reveal (here as an epilogue!) left more questions than answers.
So overall, Morrell took us on an interesting journey here, but the conclusion was less than effective and left a very sour taste behind. 1.5 stars, rounding up for the Japanese lessons.
The story begins with Savage being tapped by his agent to rescue Rachel from her husband's villa on a Greek island. In a classic, tension filled ride, we follow Savage on his mission, eventually getting Rachel away, but of course lots of trials and tribulations along the way. During the rescue, Savage thinks he sees Akira, someone he meet once before during a disastrous operation about 6 months prior, working with Rachel's guards. Sure enough, he finds them during the rescue and helps out. The crazy thing, however, is that both Akira and Savage were sure they saw each other get beheaded on the last mission (the 'principle' was also killed). How could they both have false memories about it, for surely they were both alive right now? This takes us to the heart of the novel and the remaining 4/5ths of it.
Gradually, Savage and Akira realize that something/someone has tampered with their memories, but who and why? The novel turns from thriller to mystery quest as the two, along with rescued Rachel, try to unravel the mystery. That is enough for the plot; now why I am so mixed on this one.
First, it starts off in a classic, blood pumping way as Savage makes his daring rescue operation, but the entire rest of the book is something quite different, and so full of plot holes it is not even funny. A good mystery should be, well, mysterious, with lots of twists and turns until the denouement reveals all. TFP followed this path for sure, but the final reveal (here as an epilogue!) left more questions than answers.
So overall, Morrell took us on an interesting journey here, but the conclusion was less than effective and left a very sour taste behind. 1.5 stars, rounding up for the Japanese lessons.
August 7, 2012
This book started out great, mystery intrigue spying and bodyguard-ing. Then it took a left turn out of interesting into crazy town. Spoiler Alert* Their brains were messed with. So it goes on and on and on Matrix style with is this a dream is this a real memory or is this fabricated. Chapter after chapter as they are chased and chase people. Oh and then all of a sudden the woman who was saved is suddenly and inexplicably in love with our protagonist. Seriously there is hardly any meaningful conversation or emotional exchange and then it is all "I love you" and "I would follow you into hell" it would be way more believable and I would have not sprained my verisimilitude had she just wanted a quickie in the sack. But back to the is it real is it not problem. The author lost me about 3/4th of the way though the book. Perhaps I was not paying attention and speed reading because "oh no is this a dream or not let's chase and be chased" was happening. (never I) but I have no idea WHY the main character and his (Again suddenly and inexplicably BEST-EST friend in the world) had to have the same memory, that happens to happen later in real life? Really? So if any of you careful readers could drop me a line to explain it to me that would be great, because I am sure as heck not going to re-read this.
May 2, 2020
The Fifth Profession is an interesting novel. It’s part espionage thriller and part sci-fi. The crux of the story is that Savage, a former Navy SEAL and executive protector on an assignment to rescue the wife of a wealthy businessman, encounters his Japanese counterpart, Akira, who he saw die when they were serving on an assignment together. Akira has the same memories, except he saw Savage die. They get together and piece together their jumbled memories and find out that many of the things they remembered didn’t actually happen. This leads them back to Akira’s homeland of Japan, where the mystery ensues.
I found this novel to be intriguing. The mystery component was captivating, and I wanted to see how it unfolded. There was action galore with plenty of fight scenes and some chases. It works at that level even without the added element of the jumbled memories. That part of the novel was problematic however, since the false memories storyline really strained believability. To further exacerbate the issue, the author never really explains in any detailed or believable way how the two main characters got their false memories. It was all kind of wave your hand behind the curtains hocus pocus type stuff. Although there was lots of good action, I thought the fight scenes could have been executed a little better. Getting past that, I thought the novel delivered. I was entertained from beginning to end.
Carl Alves - author of The Invocation
I found this novel to be intriguing. The mystery component was captivating, and I wanted to see how it unfolded. There was action galore with plenty of fight scenes and some chases. It works at that level even without the added element of the jumbled memories. That part of the novel was problematic however, since the false memories storyline really strained believability. To further exacerbate the issue, the author never really explains in any detailed or believable way how the two main characters got their false memories. It was all kind of wave your hand behind the curtains hocus pocus type stuff. Although there was lots of good action, I thought the fight scenes could have been executed a little better. Getting past that, I thought the novel delivered. I was entertained from beginning to end.
Carl Alves - author of The Invocation
May 15, 2022
David Morrell is a master thriller artist who isn’t afraid of crossing genre lines while still staying within the thriller category. He has written science fiction (The Shimmer), horror (The Totem), westerns (Last Reveille), and historic mysteries (the Opium-Eater series), each as fine as his classic thrillers. In The Fifth Profession, Morrell presents a mind-warping plot delving into memory and its reliability and its ability to be manipulated. While it’s not really sci-fi, there are some elements found in science fiction. Think Total Recall (based on the Philip K. Dick short story “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale”) without all the pseudo-science.
An executive bodyguard and former SEAL named Savage is hired to protect a Japanese businessman on a visit to the U.S. Accompanying the businessman is Akira, a Japanese master samurai and, like Savage, a professional bodyguard. During a clandestine business meeting in a mountain retreat, the three are attacked by sword-wielding assailants. Savage is nearly beaten to death. Their client is killed, as is Akira, who Savage sees beheaded before he lapses into unconsciousness.
Months later, after his multiple, life-threatening injuries have healed, Savage is hired by a wealthy movie star to rescue her younger sister, Rachel Stone, who is held prisoner by her abusive husband on the Greek island of Mykonos. The rescue succeeds but as they escape, Savage stunned when he recognizes one of his pursuers as Akira. The samurai master is just as shocked to see Savage, for on that night at the mountain resort, Akira watched as Savage was beheaded.
Drawn together by their mutual nightmare, Savage, Akira, and Rachel barely stay ahead of three different sets of unknown pursuers as they race halfway around the world to learn what really happened that night at the mountain resort. The Fifth Profession is a face-paced thriller guaranteed to cost you many sleepless nights because it’s so hard to put down.
An executive bodyguard and former SEAL named Savage is hired to protect a Japanese businessman on a visit to the U.S. Accompanying the businessman is Akira, a Japanese master samurai and, like Savage, a professional bodyguard. During a clandestine business meeting in a mountain retreat, the three are attacked by sword-wielding assailants. Savage is nearly beaten to death. Their client is killed, as is Akira, who Savage sees beheaded before he lapses into unconsciousness.
Months later, after his multiple, life-threatening injuries have healed, Savage is hired by a wealthy movie star to rescue her younger sister, Rachel Stone, who is held prisoner by her abusive husband on the Greek island of Mykonos. The rescue succeeds but as they escape, Savage stunned when he recognizes one of his pursuers as Akira. The samurai master is just as shocked to see Savage, for on that night at the mountain resort, Akira watched as Savage was beheaded.
Drawn together by their mutual nightmare, Savage, Akira, and Rachel barely stay ahead of three different sets of unknown pursuers as they race halfway around the world to learn what really happened that night at the mountain resort. The Fifth Profession is a face-paced thriller guaranteed to cost you many sleepless nights because it’s so hard to put down.
September 21, 2015
The book starts off like an action flick from the 80’s which stars two heroes and a heroine oozes sexuality. Since one of them is a Caucasian and the other a Japanese, I am going to assume for Hollywood’s sake that we will put in Mel Gibson and Chow Yun Fat as the protagonists. The movie trailers tell us that one of them is a Navy SEAL and the other is trained in the Samurai arts. They are executive protectors of the first order and both get sent on a mission to Greece. You settle in with popcorn to watch the movie and then naturally the screen goes wild with hair raising chases, fist fights, shootouts and general mayhem for the first fifteen minutes. The popcorn bucket starts emptying quickly when you suddenly notice a change in the tone and dialog. Somewhere along, the director (let’s assume it was good old John Woo) seems to undergo a metamorphosis into an entirely different entity (assume the Farrelly Brothers) and wonder of wonders, Mel Gibson and Chow Yun-Fat also transform into Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. Before you know it, you are in Dumb & Dumber territory !
My dear fellow readers, I cannot sum up this book in any other way. For a very exciting first 75 pages, this book gets into one of the most unintentionally hilarious premises I have come across in recent times. Without divulging anything of the plot, I can say that the climax of this book would have been absurd even if it were placed in a Looney Tunes cartoon. Doing a detailed review on this story will be flogging a dead horse and which I have no intention of doing. I do not know if Morrell cashed in on the popularity of First Blood to come up with something like this but honestly what a waste of paper !
‘nuff said !
My dear fellow readers, I cannot sum up this book in any other way. For a very exciting first 75 pages, this book gets into one of the most unintentionally hilarious premises I have come across in recent times. Without divulging anything of the plot, I can say that the climax of this book would have been absurd even if it were placed in a Looney Tunes cartoon. Doing a detailed review on this story will be flogging a dead horse and which I have no intention of doing. I do not know if Morrell cashed in on the popularity of First Blood to come up with something like this but honestly what a waste of paper !
‘nuff said !
April 7, 2010
While many of the elements of fiction I loved were in place, interesting protagonists, intriguing settings, brain-bending true-to-life science (neuroscience), spies, assassins, questionable memories, martial arts, and moving action, I felt the end lacked... something. It didn't feel like the most powerful ending that Morrell could have written. On the whole, I liked the book and will lend it out to my friends. I learned a lot, though, about Executive Protectors, tradecraft, Japan, and Japanese Culture. Morrell presented the Japanese culture in a way that a westerner can understand it more thoroughly than one would think. But, as is stated in the book, people of the western mind are not tribal enough to truly, completely, understand the Japanese mindset. And, to a degree, Morrell seems to be admitting that he too only has peripheral understanding of the mindset himself. But, as all good authors, he shows you what he does understand and uses that as any adroit magician will do to hide what he does not understand.
On the whole I did like it and would recommend it.
On the whole I did like it and would recommend it.
September 13, 2024
He is known only as Savage. A former navy SEAL, now working as a security specialist, a bodyguard, the best in the field. His mission is to retrieve Rachel Stone, from the clutches of her ruthless billionaire husband who is out to destroy her. But what starts out as a simple mission, turns into a haunting, horrible nightmare- Savage recognizes among the husband’s security forces a man named Akira, a brilliant executive protector and a master of the Samurai arts. But Akira is supposed to be dead- Savage saw him beheaded six months ago. And air remembers seeing Savage beheaded as well, as their mission to protect a Japanese businessman fails. Joining forces, Savage, Akira and Rachel starts a terrifying journey to uncover what really happened to them, what do they remember things that didn’t happen- and who did it to them. A journey that will put them to the test and push them to their limits, and will make them question everything they ever knew about the world and themselves- as they race against time not only to stop one of the most chilling plots to ever been concocted, but also preserve their own sanity and identity in a world gone mad.
Some of the reviews here describe this novel as a novel with sci-fi elements, strange, weird- and yes, in some ways, it is, but it also wrong on almost every level. There’s nothing sci-fi about it, either (unless you consider false memories science-fiction). What “The Fifth Profession” is- is a very deep, intricate, and scary psychological/political thriller, that goes very deep and asks questions that will always be relevant- questions about one’s identity- who we are, what we are, in the context of being individuals and part of a society- a society that has gone mad, that lost its way in so many ways, that tells you that you are not who you think you are, that you’re wrong and they’re right. Do you even exist as an individual, or only as a reflection of others, to reflect them back to them? And is there anything to reflect when everything and (almost) everyone are empty?
Deep stuff, indeed- questions that Morrell keeps exploring in his masterpiece “Double Image�� from 1998 (and a personal favorite of mine). But besides these questions, “The Fifth Profession” is also a fast-paced, gripping, thrilling and captivating thriller, with brilliantly developed characters, some great twists and turns that’ll keep you guessing, great action, historical accuracy and Morrell’s signature prose that grabs you from the first sentence and doesn’t let up until the very last word.
I’ll admit that I really loved Savage and Akira, and loved how Morrell took two, very strong characters, very proud of their profession, who are usually very sure and confident, and then he puts them in an impossible situation where their own identity is at stake. It’s brilliant and they way they deal with it and explore themselves and what’s around them is nothing short of amazing and adds so much to their already strong characters. But then again, that’s one of the reasons why Morrell is such a great author.
5 Katanas!
Yes, it’s different to the usual, formulaic thriller that has inundated the thriller sphere. But then, if you read Morrell, he was never conventional and always picked interesting topics and explored them in brilliant ways. “The Fifth Profession” is fantastic- creative, imaginative, intelligent, exciting, complex, intricate and unforgettable novel, and one of Morrell’s best. Take a chance- you’re in for a wild, awesome ride! And don’t forget to bring your guns and swords!
“But our problem isn't déjà vu—it's jamais vu” Akira said. “Why are you disturbed by what you just read?”
“Because I can't be sure of the present, let alone the past. Because there is no present, at least as far as my brain's concerned. Everything it tells me is a delayed reaction.”
“That may be true,” Rachel said. “But for practical purposes, even with the time lag, what we perceive might as well be the present. You've got a big enough problem without exaggerating it.”
“Am I exaggerating? I'm scared because I thought I was struggling with false memories someone implanted in my brain six months ago. But was it six months ago? How do I know the operation didn't happen much more recently? How can I be sure of what occurred yesterday or even this morning?” Savage turned to Rachel. “In France, when you learned about our pseudonyms and the cover stories we had to invent, you said it seemed that everything about us was a lie. In a way I never imagined, maybe you're right. How many false memories do I have? How do I know who I am? How can I be sure that you and Akira are what you seem? Suppose you're actors hired to trick me and reinforce my delusions.”
“But obviously we're not,” Akira said. “We've been through too much together. Rachel's rescue. The escape in the helicopter. The ferry out of Greece. The vans that tried to intercept us in France.”
“My point is maybe none of it happened. My false memories might have begun today. My entire background—everything about me—might be a lie I'm not aware of! Did I ever meet Rachel's sister? Is Graham really dead?”
“Keep thinking like that,” Akira said, “and you'll go crazy.”
“Right,” Savage said. “That's what I mean—I'm scared. I feel like I'm seeing through a haze, like the floor's unsteady, like I'm in an elevator that's falling. Total disorientation. I've based my identity on protecting people. But how can I protect myself from my mind?”
Rachel put an arm around him. “You've got to believe we're not actors. We're all you have. Trust us.”
“Trust you? I don't even trust myself.”
Some of the reviews here describe this novel as a novel with sci-fi elements, strange, weird- and yes, in some ways, it is, but it also wrong on almost every level. There’s nothing sci-fi about it, either (unless you consider false memories science-fiction). What “The Fifth Profession” is- is a very deep, intricate, and scary psychological/political thriller, that goes very deep and asks questions that will always be relevant- questions about one’s identity- who we are, what we are, in the context of being individuals and part of a society- a society that has gone mad, that lost its way in so many ways, that tells you that you are not who you think you are, that you’re wrong and they’re right. Do you even exist as an individual, or only as a reflection of others, to reflect them back to them? And is there anything to reflect when everything and (almost) everyone are empty?
Deep stuff, indeed- questions that Morrell keeps exploring in his masterpiece “Double Image�� from 1998 (and a personal favorite of mine). But besides these questions, “The Fifth Profession” is also a fast-paced, gripping, thrilling and captivating thriller, with brilliantly developed characters, some great twists and turns that’ll keep you guessing, great action, historical accuracy and Morrell’s signature prose that grabs you from the first sentence and doesn’t let up until the very last word.
I’ll admit that I really loved Savage and Akira, and loved how Morrell took two, very strong characters, very proud of their profession, who are usually very sure and confident, and then he puts them in an impossible situation where their own identity is at stake. It’s brilliant and they way they deal with it and explore themselves and what’s around them is nothing short of amazing and adds so much to their already strong characters. But then again, that’s one of the reasons why Morrell is such a great author.
5 Katanas!
Yes, it’s different to the usual, formulaic thriller that has inundated the thriller sphere. But then, if you read Morrell, he was never conventional and always picked interesting topics and explored them in brilliant ways. “The Fifth Profession” is fantastic- creative, imaginative, intelligent, exciting, complex, intricate and unforgettable novel, and one of Morrell’s best. Take a chance- you’re in for a wild, awesome ride! And don’t forget to bring your guns and swords!
“But our problem isn't déjà vu—it's jamais vu” Akira said. “Why are you disturbed by what you just read?”
“Because I can't be sure of the present, let alone the past. Because there is no present, at least as far as my brain's concerned. Everything it tells me is a delayed reaction.”
“That may be true,” Rachel said. “But for practical purposes, even with the time lag, what we perceive might as well be the present. You've got a big enough problem without exaggerating it.”
“Am I exaggerating? I'm scared because I thought I was struggling with false memories someone implanted in my brain six months ago. But was it six months ago? How do I know the operation didn't happen much more recently? How can I be sure of what occurred yesterday or even this morning?” Savage turned to Rachel. “In France, when you learned about our pseudonyms and the cover stories we had to invent, you said it seemed that everything about us was a lie. In a way I never imagined, maybe you're right. How many false memories do I have? How do I know who I am? How can I be sure that you and Akira are what you seem? Suppose you're actors hired to trick me and reinforce my delusions.”
“But obviously we're not,” Akira said. “We've been through too much together. Rachel's rescue. The escape in the helicopter. The ferry out of Greece. The vans that tried to intercept us in France.”
“My point is maybe none of it happened. My false memories might have begun today. My entire background—everything about me—might be a lie I'm not aware of! Did I ever meet Rachel's sister? Is Graham really dead?”
“Keep thinking like that,” Akira said, “and you'll go crazy.”
“Right,” Savage said. “That's what I mean—I'm scared. I feel like I'm seeing through a haze, like the floor's unsteady, like I'm in an elevator that's falling. Total disorientation. I've based my identity on protecting people. But how can I protect myself from my mind?”
Rachel put an arm around him. “You've got to believe we're not actors. We're all you have. Trust us.”
“Trust you? I don't even trust myself.”
January 1, 2019
It's been a long time since I've read any David Morrell and I had forgotten what a web of a story he can create. High octane page turning read!! By the time I got to the last few chapters I was just as eager as the protagonists to find out why and how the inexplicable happened. I always enjoy learning about other cultures and this book surprisingly took me there also through one of the MCs -Akira and part of the journey to unraveling a mystery is set in Japan. Savage & Akira are two executive protectors who find themselves protecting the same client, but fail miserably. Deaths occur...or so they think. Fast forward 6 mos and Savage is on a new assignment, after a long rehabilitation from injuries, and in extracting a woman from a horrible situation seems to think he sees Akira as part of the pursuit team. But it couldn't be, could it? He saw Akira die, beheaded no less. Can say much more as it would spoil the reader's involvement in this confusing at times but thoroughly immersing thrill ride.
January 24, 2024
Time for some mental chewing gum and a visit to the world of James-Bond-clone-ism. Not bad so far with a meticulous and drawn out action scene. Never heard of this author before. This hardbound book was in the collection of the (all smudgy) Memorial Library from which it was bounced within the last 10-15 years. It must have outlived it's popularity.
Just a few pages to go now as I'm into the explanation part of the story. The whole thing is a major stretcher, as these things tend too be. As I neared the end of this relentless bloodbath it finally dawned on me(BIG time) that this reads mostly a script for a violent, endless video game. So obvious in retrospect. A few notes...
- Barf-worthy sex language: "hard-nippled breasts"(among many breast references) > "silken pubic hair"
- The average chapter length seemed about 2 1/2 pages.
- Not only is one character named "Stone", she's also a blonde movie star.
- knapsack???? NO! "backpack"...
- The Tokugawa Shogunate is frequently referenced = Clavell territory.
- On page 396: Bad grammar alert! "Despite his satisfaction with Taro's professionalism, Savage felt troubled, however." Dude...
And the final verdict = 2.25 - rounds down to 2*
Just a few pages to go now as I'm into the explanation part of the story. The whole thing is a major stretcher, as these things tend too be. As I neared the end of this relentless bloodbath it finally dawned on me(BIG time) that this reads mostly a script for a violent, endless video game. So obvious in retrospect. A few notes...
- Barf-worthy sex language: "hard-nippled breasts"(among many breast references) > "silken pubic hair"
- The average chapter length seemed about 2 1/2 pages.
- Not only is one character named "Stone", she's also a blonde movie star.
- knapsack???? NO! "backpack"...
- The Tokugawa Shogunate is frequently referenced = Clavell territory.
- On page 396: Bad grammar alert! "Despite his satisfaction with Taro's professionalism, Savage felt troubled, however." Dude...
And the final verdict = 2.25 - rounds down to 2*
April 26, 2016
This is the 2nd time I read this book. The first time was way back when I was in college. All I remembered was that I had found the book to be awesome then. Well after hundreds of thrillers later, thousands of life experiences later, a few paradigm shifts in my personal outlook towards life, I enjoyed the book but not THAT much. What I had once labelled as awesome has now fallen back into being a good "One Time Read" page turner.
The plot is a bit far-fetched. It starts off in a furious and lucid pace but fails to elevate the momentum somewhere down the line. The pace starts halting, the narrative becomes repetitive. However, what works all the way is the relationship between 2 people from the same dangerous profession but with completely contrasting cultural outlook. Add a little romance in the mix in the form of a beautiful woman with a courageous heart and you have good concoction going.
I must mention that this is the work of a master story teller. What has been attempted in "The Fifth Profession" is a unique mix between espionage and executive protection. Now, considering the fact that Honour plays a pivotal role in this story, you can only imagine how tricky perspectives become since Honour in Espionage and Honour in Executive Protection are two whole different worlds.
If you haven't read this book, I think you should.
The plot is a bit far-fetched. It starts off in a furious and lucid pace but fails to elevate the momentum somewhere down the line. The pace starts halting, the narrative becomes repetitive. However, what works all the way is the relationship between 2 people from the same dangerous profession but with completely contrasting cultural outlook. Add a little romance in the mix in the form of a beautiful woman with a courageous heart and you have good concoction going.
I must mention that this is the work of a master story teller. What has been attempted in "The Fifth Profession" is a unique mix between espionage and executive protection. Now, considering the fact that Honour plays a pivotal role in this story, you can only imagine how tricky perspectives become since Honour in Espionage and Honour in Executive Protection are two whole different worlds.
If you haven't read this book, I think you should.
March 5, 2014
Savage and Akira, “protectors,” aka bodyguards, aka "The Fifth Profession," are severely injured at a meeting...but when they compare notes, each saw the other killed—in fact, beheaded, right after their client was killed. Problem: all are still alive. False memories via surg procedure. Sidebar of love story with Rachel. Just too many wild improbabilities for me, leaps of illogic...glad when I was done that it was over.
August 3, 2016
p450: savage shook his head fiercely, as if strong enough denial would erase the carnage around him, would made the corpses disappear.
my second morrell;
it reads like ludlum's bourne crossed with the wachowskis' the matrix;
well, maybe minus the transgender part
my second morrell;
it reads like ludlum's bourne crossed with the wachowskis' the matrix;
well, maybe minus the transgender part
October 10, 2017
An interesting tangle of plot and character as Morrell flashes between past, present and false memories. A great fast paced read, possibly slightly less violent than some of his other books.
January 3, 2017
or a moral, but it needs to be bloody, and it needs to be fun. This book is both of those things, and in spades.
It is also deeply, and unintentionally, silly.
It doesn't seem that way, at first. There's an intro about the importance and glorious history of professional protectors, in both Eastern and Western cultures. Then we get our hero, Savage, starting a new rescue assignment. Then we get a flashback, which starts very well...
And ends with a moment so OTT it becomes splat-stick.
Back to the present, where the impossible sends Savage, his principal, Rachel, and their new(ish) friend, a modern-day samurai, on a wild goose chase across the globe. There are sober discussions about honor, info-dumps about contemporary geopolitics, an unconvincing romance...
And a final act so bonkers it makes the initial flashback seem quite tame.
There's decapitation, off-the-walls Kennedy conspiracy theories, false memories, and psycho-surgery, all of which are less ridiculous than the romantic plot.
And I dug it.
Look, this is an early-90's action thriller, to the point that T2-era Michael Biehn would have been perfectly cast as Savage in a movie version. It takes itself a bit too seriously at times, but that's small beer. Not one of Morrell's finest hours, it's fun, but you won't respect it in the morning.
It is also deeply, and unintentionally, silly.
It doesn't seem that way, at first. There's an intro about the importance and glorious history of professional protectors, in both Eastern and Western cultures. Then we get our hero, Savage, starting a new rescue assignment. Then we get a flashback, which starts very well...
And ends with a moment so OTT it becomes splat-stick.
Back to the present, where the impossible sends Savage, his principal, Rachel, and their new(ish) friend, a modern-day samurai, on a wild goose chase across the globe. There are sober discussions about honor, info-dumps about contemporary geopolitics, an unconvincing romance...
And a final act so bonkers it makes the initial flashback seem quite tame.
There's decapitation, off-the-walls Kennedy conspiracy theories, false memories, and psycho-surgery, all of which are less ridiculous than the romantic plot.
And I dug it.
Look, this is an early-90's action thriller, to the point that T2-era Michael Biehn would have been perfectly cast as Savage in a movie version. It takes itself a bit too seriously at times, but that's small beer. Not one of Morrell's finest hours, it's fun, but you won't respect it in the morning.
August 7, 2017
This might be the worst book I have ever read. It does have some entertainment value in being the WORST book I have ever read, but not even enough to gain it a half star.
Morrell wrote this nearly 30 years ago, inventing computer and medical capabilities that do not exist now, yet alone then. Enter characters and an author obsessed with self disembowelment -- it is mentioned no fewer than seven times -- in the service of some billionaire. But that isn't even the stupid story.
It is a story of two people who remember something that did not happen and try to find out what did. And the story stops without saying what did (I was listening on audio) and I was good with that. But the lengthy epilogue took the silly stupid to absolute kindergarten one-upmanship ridiculous putting the final nail in the coffin of this loser.
Morrell wrote this nearly 30 years ago, inventing computer and medical capabilities that do not exist now, yet alone then. Enter characters and an author obsessed with self disembowelment -- it is mentioned no fewer than seven times -- in the service of some billionaire. But that isn't even the stupid story.
It is a story of two people who remember something that did not happen and try to find out what did. And the story stops without saying what did (I was listening on audio) and I was good with that. But the lengthy epilogue took the silly stupid to absolute kindergarten one-upmanship ridiculous putting the final nail in the coffin of this loser.
February 27, 2010
What a missed opportunity. Morrell is probably one of the sloppiest bestselling writers around. While the story could have been cool, the book is bogged down by his repetitive writing style - what's up with those karate-callused hands in every second paragraph and Morrell's obsession with people tasting bile on a constant basis - to name only a few.
On top of that he forgets and drops an entire major plot line halfway through the novel and offers up a finale that makes neither sense nor does it offer any satisfaction. The story drags in too many places and the moralistic finger comes up a few times too many throughout this ill-conceived lesson in Japanese history.
Overall this is a pretty mediocre book that I would not recommend to people.
On top of that he forgets and drops an entire major plot line halfway through the novel and offers up a finale that makes neither sense nor does it offer any satisfaction. The story drags in too many places and the moralistic finger comes up a few times too many throughout this ill-conceived lesson in Japanese history.
Overall this is a pretty mediocre book that I would not recommend to people.
April 28, 2022
Torture to read
This is the dumbest book I have ever forced my way through. I had to scan/skip so many pages just to be able to move on. How is this a bestseller? Have we really sunk to such undiscerning mediocrity? The story has several storylines going simultaneously, not to mention the constant "history lessons" that are not necessary to the plot moving forward. It is actually Goofy, ludicrous. One part of the unbelievable explanation is the army's experimental "bravery pill." And yes, that's what the Army calls it. I miss you not. My neck hurts from the constant head shaking. I actually recommend you read it just to see what passes for writing out there.
This is the dumbest book I have ever forced my way through. I had to scan/skip so many pages just to be able to move on. How is this a bestseller? Have we really sunk to such undiscerning mediocrity? The story has several storylines going simultaneously, not to mention the constant "history lessons" that are not necessary to the plot moving forward. It is actually Goofy, ludicrous. One part of the unbelievable explanation is the army's experimental "bravery pill." And yes, that's what the Army calls it. I miss you not. My neck hurts from the constant head shaking. I actually recommend you read it just to see what passes for writing out there.
May 9, 2019
Sorry to say this was a poorly written and poorly narrated book. Different narrators were used for different characters with the jarring result of the prose narrator voice changing with dialogue to other character voices, especially during rapid discussion dialogue.
Also, the plot, particularly the epilogue reveal of the reason for the plot were SO convoluted and senseless. Not recommended.
Also, the plot, particularly the epilogue reveal of the reason for the plot were SO convoluted and senseless. Not recommended.
January 9, 2014
This is one of David Morrell's earlier novels. As much as I enjoy his work, this novel contained too many internal conflicts, personal conflicts, locations, and characters for my taste. It is action packed from beginning to end and if that is your type of book you may enjoy this.
February 7, 2013
I found this novel to be STRANGE. 3 of 10 stars.
March 19, 2021
Brilliant. Just read it a second time (nearly thirty years later) and I loved it.
August 6, 2018
Slow start, fun and intriguing middle, weird, illogical and confusing ending. Strange book overall. Quick read, though.
April 27, 2019
Started out decent but went downhill quickly. Painful to hang in to the end and finish.
November 1, 2020
The story was ok. The character dialogue was terrible throughout the book.
December 8, 2023
This book came recommended straight from the author himself, David Morrell (or at least, that's what I'd like to believe). I dropped a comment on Facebook, singing praises about how much I enjoyed his novels "The Brotherhood of the Rose" and "First Blood." To my surprise, he responded with gratitude and threw this recommendation my way. It's not that I'm some VIP; Morrell is just super active on Facebook, always posting up a storm. So, naturally, I felt obliged to give it a go.
Though it had its entertaining and intriguing moments, I'll be honest – it won't be joining my all-time favorites. The story takes a wild turn around the 25% mark, which I found both captivating and original, but it leaves readers groping in the dark for a good while.
The tale kicks off with Savage, your typical chest-beating macho dude who can take down villains with his bare hands. He's on a mission to rescue a stunning damsel in distress, caught in the clutches of her millionaire husband. Post-rescue, the narrative pivots to Savage and his newfound buddy Akira, grappling with false memories where they witness each other meet a gruesome end. So, off they go (plus the beautiful but seemingly inconsequential Rachel, who exists mainly to cozy up to Savage) on a quest to unravel the mystery of their distorted memories. What's real? Who is putting fake memories in their heads and why?
Here's the kicker – the book doesn't dish out the mystery bit by bit. A solid 90% of the plot has Savage, Akira, and Rachel playing cat and mouse with mysterious pursuers without a clue as to why they're being hounded. As a reader, I was already fatigued by the prolonged mystery, but I soldiered on to see how it all wrapped up.
And when the answer to the false memories dropped, just in the last 5%, it felt excessively convoluted and strangely impersonal. It had zilch to do with Savage and Akira, veering off into a convoluted plot that was like… out of nowhere.
The dialogue was kind of weird too. I don't know why, but I detested the conversations in this book. They rang hollow, forced. Did the author truly coin the term "Jamais Vu"? According to the novel, Savage supposedly cooked up this term to describe his false memories, in stark contrast to déjà vu. There's this one doctor who can't seem to stop gushing about how much he adores this new word our hero apparently came up with.
Adding to the list of irritations is the romance between Savage and his attractive girlfriend, Rachel. Given that they're constantly evading villains, their relationship lacks a genuine or believable foundation. They spend most of their time dodging threats, only to profess undying love for each other later on. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it doesn't seem believable or contribute much to the overall story.
I can't vouch for the accuracy of the book's insights into Japan and its history, but I'll admit it was cool to read about it. Even though it didn't seamlessly weave into the adventure presented in the book, I enjoyed learning about those facets of Japan.
Though it had its entertaining and intriguing moments, I'll be honest – it won't be joining my all-time favorites. The story takes a wild turn around the 25% mark, which I found both captivating and original, but it leaves readers groping in the dark for a good while.
The tale kicks off with Savage, your typical chest-beating macho dude who can take down villains with his bare hands. He's on a mission to rescue a stunning damsel in distress, caught in the clutches of her millionaire husband. Post-rescue, the narrative pivots to Savage and his newfound buddy Akira, grappling with false memories where they witness each other meet a gruesome end. So, off they go (plus the beautiful but seemingly inconsequential Rachel, who exists mainly to cozy up to Savage) on a quest to unravel the mystery of their distorted memories. What's real? Who is putting fake memories in their heads and why?
Here's the kicker – the book doesn't dish out the mystery bit by bit. A solid 90% of the plot has Savage, Akira, and Rachel playing cat and mouse with mysterious pursuers without a clue as to why they're being hounded. As a reader, I was already fatigued by the prolonged mystery, but I soldiered on to see how it all wrapped up.
And when the answer to the false memories dropped, just in the last 5%, it felt excessively convoluted and strangely impersonal. It had zilch to do with Savage and Akira, veering off into a convoluted plot that was like… out of nowhere.
The dialogue was kind of weird too. I don't know why, but I detested the conversations in this book. They rang hollow, forced. Did the author truly coin the term "Jamais Vu"? According to the novel, Savage supposedly cooked up this term to describe his false memories, in stark contrast to déjà vu. There's this one doctor who can't seem to stop gushing about how much he adores this new word our hero apparently came up with.
Adding to the list of irritations is the romance between Savage and his attractive girlfriend, Rachel. Given that they're constantly evading villains, their relationship lacks a genuine or believable foundation. They spend most of their time dodging threats, only to profess undying love for each other later on. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it doesn't seem believable or contribute much to the overall story.
I can't vouch for the accuracy of the book's insights into Japan and its history, but I'll admit it was cool to read about it. Even though it didn't seamlessly weave into the adventure presented in the book, I enjoyed learning about those facets of Japan.
March 26, 2023
Další kolo třídění knihovny. Morrell byl svého času ikonou akčního thrilleru, dneska už je téměř zapomenutý, je to hodně produkt doby, ale než jsme se ho zbavil, zkusil jsem si ještě jednu knížku přečíst. A překvapivě mě to docela bavilo. Jo, je to dobové retro, ale v rámci jednoduchého thrilleru by to dalo spoustě současných titulů nakládačku.
Hlavní hrdina má na práci ochraňovat lidi v nebezpečných situacích. Je to samozřejmě superborec (píšou se osmdesátá léta, obyčejní hrdinové se v té době nenosili), který selhal jen jednou v životě a má z toho stále noční můry. Jeho kolega při tom přišel o krk. Doslova. Teď má novou misi, zachránit holku, kterou týrá její bohatý manžel… jenže při té akci narazí na svého mrtvého kolegu, který zase, při zpackané misi, viděl umírat jeho.
To jim samozřejmě pořádně zavaří mozkovny a začnou pátrat, co je za tím. A někdo se jim v tom, taky samozřejmě, snaží zabránit.
Je to sbírka v té době populárních a nových témat, od zásahů do mozku až po Japonsko. To všechno je psané úderně, krátkými větami, a akce se zastavuje jen na pauzu na cigaretu. Jede to jako dráha… ale člověk musí akceptovat naivitu a to, že japonský parťák se chová spíš jako Mr. Spock. Atmosféra první poloviny knihy, kdy si hrdina není jistý, co je v jeho životě vlastně skutečné a co ne, vážně vyvolává paranoidní atmosféru. Jasně, vysvětlující finále je už spíš komické a asi už to není věc, ke které by se člověk musel vracet, ale dneska vznikají i o dost pitomější knihy.
Hlavní hrdina má na práci ochraňovat lidi v nebezpečných situacích. Je to samozřejmě superborec (píšou se osmdesátá léta, obyčejní hrdinové se v té době nenosili), který selhal jen jednou v životě a má z toho stále noční můry. Jeho kolega při tom přišel o krk. Doslova. Teď má novou misi, zachránit holku, kterou týrá její bohatý manžel… jenže při té akci narazí na svého mrtvého kolegu, který zase, při zpackané misi, viděl umírat jeho.
To jim samozřejmě pořádně zavaří mozkovny a začnou pátrat, co je za tím. A někdo se jim v tom, taky samozřejmě, snaží zabránit.
Je to sbírka v té době populárních a nových témat, od zásahů do mozku až po Japonsko. To všechno je psané úderně, krátkými větami, a akce se zastavuje jen na pauzu na cigaretu. Jede to jako dráha… ale člověk musí akceptovat naivitu a to, že japonský parťák se chová spíš jako Mr. Spock. Atmosféra první poloviny knihy, kdy si hrdina není jistý, co je v jeho životě vlastně skutečné a co ne, vážně vyvolává paranoidní atmosféru. Jasně, vysvětlující finále je už spíš komické a asi už to není věc, ke které by se člověk musel vracet, ale dneska vznikají i o dost pitomější knihy.
June 11, 2021
The first 300 pages of this 500-page book is an exciting thriller about a professional 'protector' named "Savage" who is hired to rescue an abused woman from her billionaire husband on an island in the Mediterranean; he has to negotiate his way through a maze of security surrounding the compound then escape via secretive untraceable means throughout Europe. During the rescue he meets a Japanese 'protector' named "Akira" who was working for the husband. They discover that they have the same memories about an incident six months ago, so they decide to work together. They escape from Europe and end up in the northeastern US, but they are both haunted by fragments of the mysterious incident in which they each saw the other die.
The next 200 pages take place in Japan where they gradually unravel their memories which turn out to be completely untrue. In other words the first 300 pages may or may not have happened! Through discussions about Japanese history, culture, and psychology of the people it turns out that everything was a plot by the CIA to bring a Japanese maniac to power so Japan would renounce its modern ties and go back to the shogun period. Preposterous conclusion. And it turns out the abused woman still needs to be free of her husband, but this plotline is not resolved.
Just to satiate those who wonder what the first four professions are: they are (1) hunter, (2) farmer, (3) prostitute, and (4) politician.
The next 200 pages take place in Japan where they gradually unravel their memories which turn out to be completely untrue. In other words the first 300 pages may or may not have happened! Through discussions about Japanese history, culture, and psychology of the people it turns out that everything was a plot by the CIA to bring a Japanese maniac to power so Japan would renounce its modern ties and go back to the shogun period. Preposterous conclusion. And it turns out the abused woman still needs to be free of her husband, but this plotline is not resolved.
Just to satiate those who wonder what the first four professions are: they are (1) hunter, (2) farmer, (3) prostitute, and (4) politician.
November 13, 2018
I remember I liked Morrell's novels "The Fraternity of the Stone" and "The League of Night and Fog" quite a lot when I was quite a lot younger. Therefore I bought this book from a second hand book store at the Helsinki Book Fair.
I had expectations. And unfortunately they were not met. The novel was a disappointment. The further I read the more unsatisfied I was and in the end my evaluation was nearly "rubbish". Well written rubbish but anyway rubbish.
Totally unbelievable plot, and I don't mean the cliché superhero type of main character but the story itself. Science fiction movie stuff disguised as a crime novel (sort of). Felt like Morrell had run out of ideas and taken "a trip" with extra visions. A teenager might like this, for an adult this was far too thick. And the romantic part was definitely for teenagers. Who may not recognize the obvious Grace Kelly reference including To Catch a Thief. Too far back for modern adolescents.
The novel was longish just to be accepted as light entertainment without much sense. Morrell has performed better before.
Viides tehtävä
Gummerus 1991
I had expectations. And unfortunately they were not met. The novel was a disappointment. The further I read the more unsatisfied I was and in the end my evaluation was nearly "rubbish". Well written rubbish but anyway rubbish.
Totally unbelievable plot, and I don't mean the cliché superhero type of main character but the story itself. Science fiction movie stuff disguised as a crime novel (sort of). Felt like Morrell had run out of ideas and taken "a trip" with extra visions. A teenager might like this, for an adult this was far too thick. And the romantic part was definitely for teenagers. Who may not recognize the obvious Grace Kelly reference including To Catch a Thief. Too far back for modern adolescents.
The novel was longish just to be accepted as light entertainment without much sense. Morrell has performed better before.
Viides tehtävä
Gummerus 1991
March 7, 2018
... a fairly light read, but a page-turner. The first half is a somewhat conventional action thriller, with a touch of James Bond gadgetry and world-hopping. The second-half, however, the novel becomes more sinister, turning into a discussion on the nature of memory while also expanding the scope into some commentary on Japan-US relations.
The book is written in the late 80's, early 90's when America was captivated by the Japanese resurgence. This is around the same time as the original "Blade Runner" film, which contains a number of Japanese references, and Michael Crichton's "Rising Sun". Japan is central to the "The Fifth Profession", focusing on the samurai and cultural history. I personally won't be able to vouch for the novel's accuracy in Japanese culture, though the novel approaches Japan with some respect and research. Probably the first time that I have heard of the deity "Amaterasu" or the pinball variant "pachinko" that is apparently popular in Japan.
The writing, I have to say, won't win any awards. While adequate for revealing Savage's inner thoughts and the plot, the writing could have used more polish. The themes, however, are consistent with the summary of the 47 ronin and Birhtnoth's comitatus that serves as the introduction to the novel: loyalty, brotherhood, honor, and a bit of chivalry.
The book won't rank as a classic, but as a lighter read, it does very well.
The book is written in the late 80's, early 90's when America was captivated by the Japanese resurgence. This is around the same time as the original "Blade Runner" film, which contains a number of Japanese references, and Michael Crichton's "Rising Sun". Japan is central to the "The Fifth Profession", focusing on the samurai and cultural history. I personally won't be able to vouch for the novel's accuracy in Japanese culture, though the novel approaches Japan with some respect and research. Probably the first time that I have heard of the deity "Amaterasu" or the pinball variant "pachinko" that is apparently popular in Japan.
The writing, I have to say, won't win any awards. While adequate for revealing Savage's inner thoughts and the plot, the writing could have used more polish. The themes, however, are consistent with the summary of the 47 ronin and Birhtnoth's comitatus that serves as the introduction to the novel: loyalty, brotherhood, honor, and a bit of chivalry.
The book won't rank as a classic, but as a lighter read, it does very well.
July 3, 2019
This is a dramatic reading of the novel conducted by several excellent voice actors. The novel itself is an entertaining adventure story of two protectors or bodyguards. They've had their minds messed with and they use their skills to solve the mystery of why they were so messed with. It's fairly well written and has a well constructed plot. Not the best thing I've ever read in the genre, but it kept me entertained, and so the five-star rating. By the way, I got this an introductory freebie from Walmart's audiobook service.
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