Into a Black Sun

This is a well regarded novel about the Vietnam War, set in and around Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). It tells the story of a Japanese war correspondent, as he explores various aspects of life - both with the Americans in their camp with the South Vietnamese troops and in the backstreets of the city. All the more interesting, because most accounts of the war that we can read are either American or Vietnamese - in this case Kaiko tries to work both sides of a viewpoint.

As the author spent time as a correspondent in Saigon, there is more than a suggestion that many aspects of this novel are autobiographical, and this clearly adds a dimension to the writing.

Initially the novel comes across as having limited plot - it follows the daily routine of the main character, his interactions with other Japanese reporters, with his Vietnamese girlfriend and her brother, with other somewhat random people he encounters. But the imagery and writing are very good - shout out to the translator of course - and the explorations of Saigon are worth the limited plot.

The reader can't help but think this all leads up the the last few chapters. The third to last is a chapter which could almost be a stand alone essay of the effects of losing WWII on the Japanese psyche. The second to last traces the correspondent packing up his time in Saigon, in preparation for his returning to the jungle; and in the last chapter, he accompanies the Americans on a mission into the Viet Cong held zone.

Not my normal genre, but a relatively quick, enjoyable read.

4 **