BLACK WIND: A Review

I'm always bemused by what critics, reviewers and the book industry categorizes as "Horror" fiction. This book, and author, are perfect example of the cubby-hole approach to the industry. During his thirty-plus year career F. Paul Wilson has written novels that fall squarely in the horror field, however, Black Wind is NOT one of those novels.

It is horrific? Absolutely. Are there supernatural elements in the story? Absolutely. However, Black Wind is also one of the most powerful World War II novels I have ever read. It is saga of passion and terror, the ravages of war, the pain of betrayal, and the glory of love. Herman Wouk has nothing on Wilson.

At the heart of the story are four people torn between love and honor: Matsuo Okumo, born in Japan, raised in America, and hated in both lands; Hiroki Okumo, his brother, a modern samurai sworn to serve a secret cult and the almighty Emperor; Meiko Satsuma, the woman they both love; and Frank Slater, the American who turned away when Matsuo needed him, and who now struggles to repay his debt of honor.

Wilson does an outstanding job of portraying the tumultuous events in Japan and America in the decades preceding WWII, and weaving historical events, people and native superstitions and East/West cultural differences into a emotionally satisfying story. The one major drawback is that as the book rushes to it's conclusion, some extra suspension of disbelief is needed as Matsuo (a Japanese Army officer) and Slater (an American Army officer) are able to slip in out of America, Japan, occupied islands in the Pacific with ease.

The book is also important for people who are reading Wilson's magnificent Repairman Jack series. RJ book #12, By The Sword will make a lot more sense if you have read Black Wind.

BIBILIO SAYS: Highly recommended!

Companion read: King Rat by James Clavell