Lewis "Scooter" Libby. What a guy.

[Warriorbird]

http://www.boingboing.net/2005/11/01/scooter_libbys_novel.html

[Gan]

Copyright says 2001. And you're just finding this out? Or is this more of an example of opportunity knocks and the time is ripe.

Oh yea, he writes bad fiction so he must be guilty. :rolleyes:

I wonder if his book is a better read than Michael Moore's trash.

[Ilvane]

Ganalon, just curious, but do any Republicans do anything wrong in your eyes?

-A

[Wezas]

I got no problem with the guy writing this stuff unless he starts being a hypocrite speaking out against works like this.

[Gan]

Originally posted by Ilvane
Ganalon, just curious, but do any Republicans do anything wrong in your eyes?

-A

You obviously have not seen my posts concerning DeLay. Or perhaps you have and like some of your other political views, you only remember/absorb what you want to see. :shrug:

[Edited on 11-5-2005 by Ganalon]

[Parkbandit]

Originally posted by Ilvane
Ganalon, just curious, but do any Republicans do anything wrong in your eyes?

-A

Ilvane, just curious, but do any Democrats do anything wrong in your eyes?

[Edited on 11-5-05 by Parkbandit]

[DeV]

Come on people. What's so bad about a little pedophilia, bestiality, rape and incest? Geez. Get off your high horses.

[Wezas]

Originally posted by Ganalon
You obviously have not seen my posts concerning DeLay.

Perhaps if you had a cliff notes version at the end... :!:

:saint:

[Gan]

:lol: @ Wezas. Good one.

Interestingly enough, the book is out of print but you can buy used copy for a mere $125.00.

Here's a link to the reviews, and it mentions nothing of beastiality. I wonder if that was just a far left interpretation...?
:thinking:

Perhaps we could ask one who has read the book to give us some insight as to its story.

Long list of the reviews:
Amazon.com
Setsuo is a young apprentice at a remote mountain inn in turn-of-the-century Japan, who falls in love at first sight of the beautiful Yukiko, one of a roving band of actors who have come to stay. Trapped at the inn by a blizzard is a larger group of strange travelers. Emotionally wrought by his feelings for Yukiko, Setsuo cannot see that he is getting involved in political skulduggery as he tries to fathom the increasingly odd behavior of the guests. The finding of a corpse and a mysterious small box keep the reader guessing too.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly
Although set in Japan in 1903, Libby's first novel avoids the exoticism and antiquarianism of James Clavell and sets its own tightly dreamlike tone. Setsuo, apprentice innkeeper at an isolated mountain hostel in Northern Japan, finds himself marooned with a dubious cast of travelers during a blizzard. His youthful naivete unfortunately draws him not only to a mysterious young woman with a band of itinerant performers but also to a half-frozen and half-crazed visitor. When this stranger flees back into the storm, Setsuo and another guest separately pursue him, leading to robbery and murder. With rumors of political intrigue enveloping the action and the apprentice in possession of a Macguffin as enigmatic as a haiku image, Libby maintains a sense of mystery and claustrophobia through pared-down prose and minimalist characterization. Setsuo's love interest, for instance, is simply the "girl in the cloak of yellow fur" for much of the novel. Even after he learns her name is Yukiko, her actions, history and motives remain ambiguous to the end. Spare and muted, Libby's debut has distilled his diplomatic experiences in Japan with the U.S. State and Defense Departments into a subtle, if sometimes attenuated, story of innocence and temptation halfway across the world and a century ago.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
When Setsuo, an apprentice innkeeper in turn-of-the-century Japan, follows a bearded man into a blinding blizzard, he sets into motion a convoluted set of events. Robbery, murder, love, politics, mystery, and intrigue are all parts of the deadly game, but what exactly is the game and is Setsuo truly a player or merely the pawn of forces he cannot even comprehend? First novelist Libby skillfully devises an exotic and extreme but plausible story, creating fascinating characters and maintaining dramatic tension while dropping false leads along the way. Despite an unresolved Hollywood ending, this is recommended for general and mystery readers, particularly those interested in Japanese history and culture.?Jim Dwyer, California State Univ. Lib., Chico
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

The New York Times Book Review, Erik Burns
... delicate prose and stirring descriptive passages ... Mr. Libby's storytelling skill neatly mixes.... conspiratorial murmurs with the boy's emotional turmoil.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews
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. -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Midwest Book Review
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 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. The Apprentice is a gripping novel of suspense set against the unique backdrop of Japan's secluded snow country. Lewis Libby is a new talent whose ability to conjure up mood, create interesting charecters, and craft a terrific story line give promise to a very successful career. Highly recommended! --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Book Description

The Apprentice takes place in a remote mountain inn in northernmost Japan, where a raging blizzard has brought together wayfarers who share only fear and suspicion of one another. It is the winter of 1903, the country is beset with smallpox and war is brewing with Russia.

In the flickering shadows of the crowded room, 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 murder, passion and heart-stopping chases through the snow.

[DeV]

Originally posted by Ganalon


Here's a link to the reviews, and it mentions nothing of beastiality. ... No comment about the pedophilia, rape, and incest claims though huh? :lol:

"At age ten the madam put the child in a cage with a bear trained to couple with young girls so the girls would be frigid and not fall in love with their patrons. They fed her through the bars and aroused the bear with a stick when it seemed to lose interest."

p.s. I could care less about what is depicted in this book since I haven't read it none of the claims can really be substantiated. Care you volunteer! It has no bearing on his indictment so it really doesn't matter in the grande scheme of things anyway.

[Gan]

Originally posted by DeV

Originally posted by Ganalon


Here's a link to the reviews, and it mentions nothing of beastiality. ... No comment about the pedophilia, rape, and incest claims though huh? :lol:

"At age ten the madam put the child in a cage with a bear trained to couple with young girls so the girls would be frigid and not fall in love with their patrons. They fed her through the bars and aroused the bear with a stick when it seemed to lose interest."

p.s. I could care less about what is depicted in this book since I haven't read it none of the claims can really be substantiated. Care you volunteer! It has no bearing on his indictment so it really doesn't matter in the grande scheme of things anyway.

Either the reviews actually read it on context to the story line or they're all just liars. You're right that its no big deal, just funny that it surfaces now and from a sight like boingboing that looks like a nice conservative website [/sarcasm]

Perhaps one familiar with the culture on which he's basing the storyline of his book could say if there's any link or if its just sordid fiction from his twisted imagination.

[DeV]

Originally posted by Ganalon
Either the reviews actually read it on context to the story line or they're all just liars. You're right that its no big deal, just funny that it surfaces now and from a sight like boingboing that looks like a nice conservative website [/sarcasm]As if he's complaining. A writer wants his story to sell. He's obviously not ashamed of it and hopefully he expects critisim with the praise. It all comes with the territory of being a good or bad writer. End of story.


Perhaps one familiar with the culture on which he's basing the storyline of his book could say if there's any link or if its just sordid fiction from his twisted imagination.
Ganalon, it isn't that serious.

[Gan]

Originally posted by DeV
Ganalon, it isn't that serious.

My point exactly! :!:

[DeV]

Originally posted by Ganalon

Originally posted by DeV
Ganalon, it isn't that serious.

My point exactly! :!: Yay!

[xtc]

Originally posted by Ilvane
Ganalon, just curious, but do any Republicans do anything wrong in your eyes?

-A

Probably about the same % as Democrats do wrong in your eyes.

Sorry Ange but you do seem rather biased yourself.

[Warriorbird]

I mainly considered it amusing, considering the administration's notions of family values and crackdown on porn. Book reviewers generally work through minor works on pre-written summaries/excerpts.

There's some excerpts out there with a little digging. I nabbed the Boing Boing byline because it was handy and in my RSS feed. It's all over.

[Latrinsorm]

It's awfully peculiar how no mention of perversion occurs in the reader reviews until November 2nd, 2005. It's even more peculiar that each of those reviewers has exactly 1 review. Libby will get what's coming to him, naturally, but all I'm saying is it's very peculiar.

[Warriorbird]

Well...if you're trying to sell a book... would you include that in the review? Alternately would you say, "I really dug the bestiality in this!" if you were reviewing a book for Amazon?

I don't doubt that it may be written well. It's also legal to publish/own (for now). I just find it ironic that it's by a key Bush administration figure.

[Latrinsorm]

The user reviews are what I'm talking about. There were several predating November 2nd, positive and negative, that made no mention of what (in my mind) would be a fairly major point of controversy. Am I saying it's absolutely not in the book? No. I'm just saying it's peculiar that it crops up in a newspaper article and all of a sudden amazon has a bunch of comments about it from people who've never commented on anything before (and have some shall we say politically charged handles).

[Warriorbird]

Because people are naturally trying to find out "what's up" with Libby due to the indictment. A lot of Amazon "user reviews" are also more than a bit corporate, I'm afraid to say.

[Edited on 11-6-2005 by Warriorbird]

[Back]

The left has nothing on the right when it comes to repressed perversions. This is news to me but I really couldn’t care less. I still want to see what comes of this trail and investigation.

[Gan]

Originally posted by Backlash
The left has nothing on the right when it comes to repressed perversions.

Amazing how you make these claims and yet have nothing to back it up.

And what did Clinton do with that cigar again??? Oh thats right, it wasn't repressed, it was inserted... :rolleyes:

[Edited on 11-6-2005 by Ganalon]

[Back]

Originally posted by Ganalon

Originally posted by Backlash
The left has nothing on the right when it comes to repressed perversions.

Amazing how you make these claims and yet have nothing to back it up.

And what did Clinton do with that cigar again??? Oh thats right, it wasn't repressed, it was inserted... :rolleyes:

[Edited on 11-6-2005 by Ganalon]

I thought it was pretty much common knowledge. Conservatives are repressed when it comes to sex, liberals are, well, not. :)

Ok, over generalization. But stereotypically speaking, thats just how it is. Sorry mate.

Unfortunately for the right all the scandals with the clergy kinda get lumped in.

[Gan]

If that were the case, then logic dictates that the liberals handle the beastiality eh?

Darwin and monkeys and KY, oh my!

[Warriorbird]

Like I said...I mainly found it funny in reflection of the administration's porn policies. Believe me, I've known incredibly perverse Democrats and Republicans. I've slept with both too.