Samurai Bluegrass

Samurai Bluegrass by Craig Terlson is a book of science fiction with elements of time travel and suspense. The book description from the publisher describes it best: “In a magical tale of a samurai lost in time, Craig Terlson draws bold strokes of beauty and violence, music and myth, calm and chaos, in ancient Japan and modern-day Toronto. Gordo Clement arrives in a forest in Toronto in 1984, right after he was killed by archers in 12th C. feudal Japan. Or so he believes. When Gordo is invited to a bluegrass concert, he recognizes traits of the samurai in the players, and the music pulls him back to the moment he crossed over in time. Still in a reverie from the concert, he comes upon Heather, a single mother, who is set upon by a gang of men. Gordo appears out of the shadows and fights off her attackers like a martial arts master. While hiding his true identity from his friends, Gordo learns that the doctor is a fellow time-traveler who knows how to get back to the 12th C. Gordo is elated at the thought of returning home, until he understands that for the crossover to happen someone must die.”

Terlson switches between first- and third-person for the chapters narrated by Gordo (1st) and Heather (3rd). Terlson does an excellent job of unspooling this time travel adventure, weaving both narrative threads masterfully. Gordo's “fish out of water” bit is funny yet detailed as he tries to grapple with his new life in Toronto, far and away from his previous life in twelfth-century Japan. Heather's life as a single parent is troublesome for her yet relatable for the reader. When these two characters cross paths, we are propelled down a winding urban adventure to a satisfying conclusion. The vigilante motif is a well-trodden tale in pop culture via movies, television, and comic books, but is uniquely told here. Terlson is an author worth keeping an eye out for. I will be reading more of his books in the near future.

I enjoyed this novel and I recommend it. I would give this book five stars.