Richard's Second novel has just been released!!
"GAIJIN HOUSE"
At last, now out!
Available on Kindle,
PC, i-Pad
Click this under bar _
Amazon.com: 4.0 out of 5 stars
2 reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars An amusing and nostalgic journey
22 Oct 2012
By
Kimiko Matthews - Published Amazon.com
Having lived in Osaka myself more than 15 years ago,
Downing's second novel was a hilarious trip down memory lane. His detailed descriptions of the many characters throughout his book, including himself, helped paint a picture in my mind of the kind of debauchery and craziness that I remember fondly. Downing's gift for telling a (tall) tale make this a very easy and entertaining read.
4.0 out of 5 stars Downing scores again! 11
Oct 2012
By stephen thomas newman - Published Amazon.com
Format:Kindle Edition
In this follow-up to his terrific first novel 'The Devil's Tattoo' Downing proves that he can do humour as well as he does suspense. He
really captures what I'd imagine the atmosphere and ambience of Osaka to be and the characters are well developed and sympathetic - if a little crazy! A real tour de force from an under appreciated writer.
› Go to Amazon.com to see both reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars
5.0
out of 5 stars A GAIJIN'S VIEW
17 Feb 2013
By tonynoodles
Format:Kindle
Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is something special and very different - a genuine
Gaijin's view of Japanese life, from someone who obviously knows it intimately.
The text is fast and witty, the cartoons are beautifully and cleverly drawn,
and you are so carried along on the wave of antics involving the raft of zany
characters that you just want to keep on reading. If you want to find out what
the Japanese really get up to, this is far better than any guide book.
"GAIJIN HOUSE"
At last, now out!
Available on Kindle,
PC, i-Pad
Click this under bar _
Amazon.com: 4.0 out of 5 stars
2 reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars An amusing and nostalgic journey
22 Oct 2012
By
Kimiko Matthews - Published Amazon.com
Having lived in Osaka myself more than 15 years ago,
Downing's second novel was a hilarious trip down memory lane. His detailed descriptions of the many characters throughout his book, including himself, helped paint a picture in my mind of the kind of debauchery and craziness that I remember fondly. Downing's gift for telling a (tall) tale make this a very easy and entertaining read.
4.0 out of 5 stars Downing scores again! 11
Oct 2012
By stephen thomas newman - Published Amazon.com
Format:Kindle Edition
In this follow-up to his terrific first novel 'The Devil's Tattoo' Downing proves that he can do humour as well as he does suspense. He
really captures what I'd imagine the atmosphere and ambience of Osaka to be and the characters are well developed and sympathetic - if a little crazy! A real tour de force from an under appreciated writer.
› Go to Amazon.com to see both reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars
5.0
out of 5 stars A GAIJIN'S VIEW
17 Feb 2013
By tonynoodles
Format:Kindle
Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is something special and very different - a genuine
Gaijin's view of Japanese life, from someone who obviously knows it intimately.
The text is fast and witty, the cartoons are beautifully and cleverly drawn,
and you are so carried along on the wave of antics involving the raft of zany
characters that you just want to keep on reading. If you want to find out what
the Japanese really get up to, this is far better than any guide book.
Go to amazon.com.uk to buy
"The Devil's Tattoo"
Many,many thanks to Dan Nyman of Unthank Publishing Company for his hard work,friendliness and drive in all of this.
1) The Devil's Tattoo...a Japanese kamikaze pilot survives the war and claws his way up the greasy pole to become one of Japan's top yakuza (Mafia) bosses and is then forced to battle not only foreign gangster groups,but a growing rebellion from within his own ranks.A novel of love,power,lust,hate and revenge...with a strong international theme.Covers the years from 1943 to 2011 and is set in Osaka,Japan,Hong Kong,The Philippines,Hawaii and London.
Read what other people think of it.
Andrew Sangster:military historian and author of 6 books including the below.
When I first picked up the Devil’s Tattoo it was with a high degree of scepticism since matters Japanese had never really appealed to me in my reading; having started the book I found it difficult to put down. The historical background was realistic and the characters sprung to life. The plot reflected that of a good crime writer, but tinged with an historical perspective which for me set it a notch higher than traditional crime novels. It moved at a fair pace but at the same time it was not racy or superficial, and the author is very clever in making the reader start to like someone who in our normal lives we would probably shun. In places the book is so realistic I could not help but wonder whether it was based on a true story? I would recommend this book to anyone. Andrew Sangster..military historian and author of six books including "From Nazi Thug to British Mayor."
One of the best books you'll ever read
about Japanese Gangsters. Full of intrigue, sex and violence, you can't put it
down. I was the one who interviewed the real 'Nito' and what you read
is the true story of his rise and fall in the Yakuza hierarchy. Bonny Leftwich
One of the best books you'll ever read
about Japanese Gangsters. Full of intrigue, sex and violence, you can't put it
down. I was the one who interviewed the real 'Nito' and what you read
is the true story of his rise and fall in the Yakuza hierarchy. Bonny Leftwich
I finished the book last night. It was wonderful! Didn't want it to end, but
loved the ending. Good job. If I had to guess which character was based on you, it would be Phil Gunn. ..Linda.
loved the ending. Good job. If I had to guess which character was based on you, it would be Phil Gunn. ..Linda.
I really only picked up this book because Richard is somebody I've come to know over the last few years as a fellow chess club member and I have to admit to a certain amount of scepticism on my part. Nevertheless I soon found myself being drawn along by an ingenious plot with a huge cast of finely-drawn characters coming into and out of the story. It was evident early on that the author was widely travelled and had done his research (Japan, Korea, Manila, Hawaii, etc) thoroughly enough to make the book almost "unputdownable". The use of a Prologue set in present times had me trying almost throughout the book to guess the inevitable twist in the tail. Yes, there was one (and a couple of unexpected kinks along the way) and when it came it was totally not what I'd expected. Read the book yourself (and no peeking at the ending!)and you won't be disappointed. A bloody good effort for a first novel, maybe a new Wilbur Smith (eastern version)in the making...
Alan Holmes
Alan Holmes
A very enjoyable read about the dark yet fascinating world of the yazuka. There
are many interesting tidbits about Japanese history and customs as well. The story moves along at a good pace right up to the lastpage. I found the book hard to put down and couldn't wait to get back to it when I did. Although the book comes to a satisfying conclusion, I hated leaving the characters behind.
are many interesting tidbits about Japanese history and customs as well. The story moves along at a good pace right up to the lastpage. I found the book hard to put down and couldn't wait to get back to it when I did. Although the book comes to a satisfying conclusion, I hated leaving the characters behind.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon U.S. (beta) Amazon U.S.: 5.0 out of 5 stars (1 customer review)
5.0 out of 5 stars A great debut from Downing, 27 Dec 2011 By Kimiko Matthews - Published on Amazon U.S. This review is from: The Devil's Tattoo (Kindle Edition) The Devil's Tattoo was a brilliant read, capturing my imagination from start to finish. A little bit of history mixed in with Downing's obviously fertile imagination made for a book that was hard to put down. The characters were vividly described, making you cheer them on throughout the story's 60 years. I would recommend the Devil's Tattoo for anyone looking to be entertained and educated about the inner workings of the Yakuza.
Looking forward to reading more from this author.
Finished the book, a good yarn that, when is the mini series coming out??? (seriously the story lends itself to that!) Cheers DaveBook
I read: "The Devil's Tattoo" by Richard Downing. Dickie has returned to England after years in Osaka, and come up with his debut novel, a tale of gangsters and violence, but also a panoramic view of the urban underworld in Japan since World War 2 - a side of the country we don't often hear about. Very entertaining, and a good introduction to some of the seamier Japanese habits and customs - it's not all tea ceremonies! The book is available only on Kindle, but if you don't have a Kindle, fear not - the Kindle app on iPhone and iPad works really well. · · ShareMartin Herrington
Gaijin House...a light hearted romp through Osaka,Japan and what happens to the foreign tenants of a run-down cockroach - infested hovel when the landlady threatens them with eviction in order to cash in on the property boom.She brings in the dreaded yakuza in order to flush them out,but things don't always go to plan,especially when the yakuza boss falls in love with with one of the tenants...with strange consequences.
You will meet Armbreaker Jackson,Russell the Missionary,supermodel Mindy Lawford,man about town Ray Boland, and the grunge/rock/punk/heavy metal group The Spotted Dick,bogus university lecturer Liverpool John, Ken the Japanese culture vulture,plus a host of others.
Many stories completely true and others embelished somewhat,and the odd one or two a figment of my fertile imagination. Witty yet poignant.
What I have been reading recently.These are amongst my favourites,but I would be extremly happy to hear of any novels you have enjoyed reading.
1.Sea of Poppies...set in India during the Opium boom.I am half way through it and will give my opinion later,but am enjoying it a lot,although the pidgin English is hard going at times.Short-listed for the Booker prize.
2.The English Passengers...a Manx brandy smuggler is forced to carry a motley crew seeking the garden of Eden to Tasmania during the 18th century.Brilliantly written...and the characters almost jump out of the pages.The author,whose name escapes me has also lived in Japan and has written a wonderful earlier novel called The Whore's Banquet...set in Japan and any foreigner who has lived in Japan for a lengthy time can easily identify with the main character.
3.From Nazi Thug to British Mayor by Andrew Sangster...what happens when a young German is indoctrinated with anti-Jewish ideas,but finds out later one of his parents has Jewish blood.An Excellent book which portrays the pressure the young German is under to conform to what is considered "the right way." His later capture by the British in the closing stages of the war,his marriage to an English woman and his rise to become a mayor in a Norfolk town are also readworthy.
4.The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet by David Mitchell....for anybody interested in Japan and her history.I couldn't put this story down,it was just so gripping and well written and has rightly become a best seller.A midwife with access to forbidden Dutch medical learning in the 16th century is kidnapped by a bizarre religious sect and forced to deliver babies for them.To say anymore is to spoil the suspense for you,but it was my favourite book of last year.This author,married to a Japanese has also lived and worked in Japan.