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The Ringmaster
Linguist and negotiator Gilbert Langton has been selected to mediate the interests of Japan and Germany, but when conflict in the Middle East arises, the repercussions of international power-plays ensnares Langton in a web of global deceit and blackmail. Reprint.
450 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
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About the author
Morris L. West
133 books174 followersMorris Langlo West was born in St Kilda, Melbourne in 1916. At the age of fourteen, he entered the Christian Brothers seminary ‘as a kind of refuge’ from a difficult childhood. He attended the University of Melbourne and worked as a teacher. In 1941 he left the Christian Brothers without taking final vows. In World War II he worked as a code-breaker, and for a time he was private secretary to former prime minister Billy Hughes.
After the war, West became a successful writer and producer of radio serials. In 1955 he left Australia to build an international career as a writer. With his family, he lived in Austria, Italy, England and the USA, including a stint as the Vatican correspondent for the British newspaper, the Daily Mail. He returned to Australia in 1982.
Morris West wrote 30 books and many plays, and several of his novels were adapted for film. His books were published in 28 languages and sold more than 60 million copies worldwide. Each new book he wrote after he became an established writer sold more than one million copies.
West received many awards and accolades over his long writing career, including the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and the W.H. Heinemann Award of the Royal Society of Literature for The Devil's Advocate. In 1978 he was elected a fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1985, and was made an Officer of the Order (AO) in 1997.
Morris West died at his desk in 1999.
After the war, West became a successful writer and producer of radio serials. In 1955 he left Australia to build an international career as a writer. With his family, he lived in Austria, Italy, England and the USA, including a stint as the Vatican correspondent for the British newspaper, the Daily Mail. He returned to Australia in 1982.
Morris West wrote 30 books and many plays, and several of his novels were adapted for film. His books were published in 28 languages and sold more than 60 million copies worldwide. Each new book he wrote after he became an established writer sold more than one million copies.
West received many awards and accolades over his long writing career, including the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and the W.H. Heinemann Award of the Royal Society of Literature for The Devil's Advocate. In 1978 he was elected a fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1985, and was made an Officer of the Order (AO) in 1997.
Morris West died at his desk in 1999.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 27, 2010
The Ringmaster, a political thriller set in post-Cold War Asia, is certainly one of West's best. Although unlike his Vatican trilogy in many respects, the characters in Ringmaster were so real I found myself completely drawn into the complex web of multinational and many layered relationships. The story centered on Gil Langton, a publisher, man of many languages and the mediator-in-chief of a major consortium involving one of his oldest friends, a wealthy Japanese businessman along with a small cast of unforgettable players from around the globe. A quote from a modern Zen master which appears nears the end of the book sums up the twists and turns of this little three ring circus, “When friends do business, there is no need of contracts. Unfortunately, there are no friends in business.”
Morris West is one of those rare writers—both extremely wise and subtly entertaining. Thoroughly enjoyable book.
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Although first published in 1991, this book is still eerily current. It's hard to believe it was being written as the Soviet Union was collapsing. Morris foresaw the shifting world balance including that most of America's future difficulties would stem from the Muslim world, ten years before 9/11.
Morris West is one of those rare writers—both extremely wise and subtly entertaining. Thoroughly enjoyable book.
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Although first published in 1991, this book is still eerily current. It's hard to believe it was being written as the Soviet Union was collapsing. Morris foresaw the shifting world balance including that most of America's future difficulties would stem from the Muslim world, ten years before 9/11.
November 3, 2024
En "El Ojo del Samurai", Morris West intenta entrelazar la política, las finanzas internacionales y el juego del poder en un relato que aspira a ofrecer una visión profética sobre la redención de la URSS. Sin embargo, el resultado es una novela que, aunque interesante en algunos pasajes, se siente más como un ejercicio fallido que como un logro literario. La trama gira en torno a un políglota alemán, un empresario japonés, un político ruso y un moderador australiano, todos convocados para salvar a una nación al borde del colapso.
A pesar de la riqueza temática, West no logra sostener el suspenso, y cae en el uso de personajes estereotipados que parecen sacados de sus obras anteriores. Esto, sumado a una prosa que a menudo resulta monótona, convierte la lectura en una experiencia tediosa. En un momento histórico clave como la era Gorbachov, West desaprovecha la oportunidad de contextualizar su narrativa con la profundidad necesaria, dejando a "El Ojo del Samurai" como un intento que no logra trascender.
A pesar de la riqueza temática, West no logra sostener el suspenso, y cae en el uso de personajes estereotipados que parecen sacados de sus obras anteriores. Esto, sumado a una prosa que a menudo resulta monótona, convierte la lectura en una experiencia tediosa. En un momento histórico clave como la era Gorbachov, West desaprovecha la oportunidad de contextualizar su narrativa con la profundidad necesaria, dejando a "El Ojo del Samurai" como un intento que no logra trascender.
October 14, 2018
Primera obra que me leo de este afamado autor, sinceramente no me gusto, la historia fue un poco aburrida, y en ciertos momentos repetitiva hasta el punto de estar como en un déya vu.
Si bien es cierto que uno de los protagonistas es el Empresario Japones Kenji Tanaka (que a mi parecer es el samurai), el que realmente lleva la batuta es el negociador Gilbert Langton (alias Gil). un políglota muy sobresaliente y quien se mueve entre las sendas de la geopolítica internacional, sus escarceos en la mafia, sus amores con las clientas y pare de contar.
Al final nunca entendí si pudieron ayudar a la URSS, si la negociación llego a buen puerto, lo que si fue cierto es que Tanaka murió, su amante Miko también lo acompaño y Gil siguió su vida bohemia con sus negocios de las editoriales.
Si bien es cierto que uno de los protagonistas es el Empresario Japones Kenji Tanaka (que a mi parecer es el samurai), el que realmente lleva la batuta es el negociador Gilbert Langton (alias Gil). un políglota muy sobresaliente y quien se mueve entre las sendas de la geopolítica internacional, sus escarceos en la mafia, sus amores con las clientas y pare de contar.
Al final nunca entendí si pudieron ayudar a la URSS, si la negociación llego a buen puerto, lo que si fue cierto es que Tanaka murió, su amante Miko también lo acompaño y Gil siguió su vida bohemia con sus negocios de las editoriales.
October 6, 2021
I loved this thrilling political / espionage book and the narrator was brilliant it had so much tension, so much edge of your seat twists to the tale, that I love so much. It was brilliantly written and flows really well. The depth of the character was brilliant and I found an instant connection to the main character. Also, I must say envious of his multilingual skills. It was brilliant learning about Japan and the other little bits of information the main character teaches us about the different business men's countries. I will be diffidently reading more books by Morris West and Hoping to hear more from the narrator Peter Hosking.
February 21, 2018
el libro tiene una portada que atrae y si bien comienza a fuego lento, es un ritmo que parece que no quiere darle mucho al acelerador y se encuentra el autor muy dedicado a escribir sobre sus áreas de conocimiento y especialidad.
honestamente, pudo ser mejor y el final es un tanto olvidable
honestamente, pudo ser mejor y el final es un tanto olvidable
June 11, 2025
No he entendido nada. La traducción es terrible, la trama aburrida, los personajes poco interesantes y el farragoso hilo argumental dura tres cuartas partes del libro para luego acabar en nada. No lo recomiendo en absoluto.
September 22, 2021
Me encanto, un triller geopolítico que viaja por múltiples culturas. Con notas magistrales de negociación, economia, leyes, política y romance.
December 15, 2024
Gripping. Classic Morris West.
May 24, 2020
read English version
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews