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| Gifted Hands: Saino no aru te By Kenneth Fenter |
By Rod Nave
Author . Filmmaker . Screenwriter
What I appreciate about
Gifted Hands, the fourth in a series, written by Kenneth Fenter, is that the
experience of reading this book, reminds me of savoring a fine dose of vintage wine.
It’s difficult to replicate the intrinsic craft of a journalism teacher, who
has spent decades of his life as a professional, perfecting the art of the
word, but the author has very much done so.
We as the reader can always
revel about today’s new trend in young writers, such as J.K. Rowling’s smash
hit series, “Harry Potter” or Stephenie Myer’s horror-thriller paperbacks,
“Twilight,” but can they really hold a candle to the expertise of a true
literary pioneer, who has carefully orchestrated his experiences, honing them
with gifted hands, into a piece of art, through his crafted-diligence of
knowing Asian culture and creating narrative to the point the reader is saying,
“I really think, see, feel and taste this fictionalized reality.”
I was taken by Kenneth’s
story from the beginning of the book. During the occupation after World War II,
the lead character, Charles, is besieged by his lingering, haunting memories of
his old love, Keiko, who is native Japanese, during his tour of duty in
Nagasaki, Japan, the town he met her. This reminds me of the haunting-passion
staged in Jimmy Stewart, the lead character of the Alfred Hitchcock
masterpiece, “Vertigo”, which moves this story forward, and captivates my
interests in the writing intention, to draw the passion for Charlie, to relive
his glory days, who is self-absorbed in Asian culture, which is expressed in
grand detail, by my accounts and leads the reader into a greater experience of
an enriched life when he returns to Japan 20 years later.
Many lessons of
life and love are expressed in the following pages, lending credible journeys
of family love, culture and religion. It’s this political-family’s camaraderie,
that bonds us to a higher-spirit and awakens the mindset, that I felt was
remarkably executed in Kenneth’s writing, that opens my insight to a greater
understanding.
This story
transcends the invisible likes of distinct race, creed and culture, that I
became absorbed in “Gifted Hands,” which is a book that you can put in a
special place for other great novels of classic literary works. I can read this
book over and over again and still learn more in great detail, because the
author a known teacher and as well as a journalist, craft maker, and adventurer,
has lived and preached his work, like an experienced watch smith, who has
perfected his art, to a greater way, whose every intricate cog, screw and gem
is working precisely, in unison and near perfection.
The book in
conjunction with the author, are a 2 in 1 achievement in grand story telling
that still evokes and teaches you a thing or two about life, right when you
have thought you heard it all and think you have it all figured-out. Kenneth
takes you by the hand and guides you into a broader experience of life, seen
through his life and intricately places oneself into the soul of Charlie’s
travels and experience of Japan. The drama unfolds into a sortie “cat and
mouse” espionage with those of “political significance” and their underground
ties, that makes you breath and live what Charlie feels, whose true passion is
love, which conquers all.
My Mother’s
birthday is within 2 weeks and I can’t think of a better gift for her, than
“Gifted Hands”, especially knowing that Kenneth Fenter is the same man who
schooled my sister Denice, into becoming a yearbook editor, but also a fine
lady she had become. Rod Nave
Rod Nave is a 1972 graduate of Springfield High School who attended the University of Oregon School of Journalism. He is an author, filmmaker and screenwriter.
Here is a very early animation written and collaborated on by Rod on youtube. Adventures of Dynamo Duck Rod is now in Hollywood working on more serious film endeavors.
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