THE REVOLT OF ZENGO TAKAKUWA

by ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 3, 1962

This is an adventure story about a Japanese man and woman in the jungles of New Britain, just before and during the American landing. Lt. Takakuwa, U.C.L.A. educated, deserts from the Japanese Army taking with him the Lt. Colonel's mistress, Michiyo, whom he has loved from afar. He had heard the Colonel's orders for her to be shot when the Americans land. Michiyo is a semi-professional whore and, refusing to believe that defeat is imminent, she bad-mouths him and his honorable intentions and uses unspeakable language (in Japanese). Takakuwa, a man of extraordinary patience and resourcefulness, puts up even with her attempts to kill him, takes her with him through the impenetrable jungle, subdues his desires even when her clothing in shredded to bits, and kills a few Americans that get in their way. They finally reach safety in a Melanesian village, are rescued and forgiven by Americans at the end of the war, and get married. Much of the story and the survival details are exciting. But the tricky attempt to present Japanese enemy soldiers as sympathetic too often wavers between romanticism and crudity.

Pub Date: May 3, 1962

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Cudahy

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1962

Categories: FICTION