The Long Shot by Katie Kitamura review

Books, Review | Brian | September 4, 2009 at 9:40 am

longshot Cal and his trainer, Riley, are on their way to Mexico for a make-or-break rematch with legendary fighter Rivera. Four years ago, Cal became the only mixed martial arts fighter to take Rivera the distance–but the fight nearly ended him.

Only Riley, who has been at his side for the last ten years, knows how much that fight changed things for Cal. And only Riley really knows what’s now at stake, for both of them. The Long Shot follows Cal and Riley through the three fraught days leading up to this momentous match, as each privately begins to doubt that Cal can win.

Sometimes when seeking out the best of or really strong examples of something it can be necessary to go outside of the acknowledged boundaries; to look for those who may not self-identify with what they are. For example maybe you read a book and see that it is a horror story though it may be marketed as a thriller. This happens a lot and shows us why it’s important to only use genres and marketing terms as guideposts but not treat them as absolutes. The sign above a shelf in a store isn’t necessarily indicative of what’s in between the covers of a book on said shelf. That’s the case here with The Long Shot by Katie Kitamura. As best as I can tell its being pushed as a literary (or even non-genre) book and seems to be getting play in those circles. To be clear there’s nothing wrong with that level or type of coverage. But. This is a case where an opportunity was missed.

Why?

Because don’t let The Long Shot by Katie Kitamura fool you, it’s a noir. Not only that but it’s a damned good one at that. But this also creates a lack of self consciousness that is refreshing. Since it doesn’t set out to be a noir it comes off all the greater as one. There isn’t any self awareness of what it is and therefore it comes off as far more naturalistic and effective once the noir elements make them selves clear. It’s like the early pulp crime writers who later were grouped together as noir, they weren’t trying to be noir at the time, they just were. Well, The Long Shot just is.

The Long Shot uses short, sharp, direct sentences that hit you like a flurry of unending jabs that effectively strikes a perfect balance between external action and internalism. The plot moves forward without ever getting bogged down in excessive pondering and naval gazing; Cal and Riley are men of action and determination. The humanity comes through in their exchanges; in their dialogue that crackles with knowledge and awareness and all of it is happening between the lines. With so much of it being left out you would think that the story would be cut to the bone but it is all there, the hurt, the fear, the humanity and, perhaps most importantly, the secret knowledge that comes a little too late that they probably knew all along but just couldn’t admit it.

That secret knowledge is part of what makes these characters so fascinating. There is a disconnect between who/what they think they are and who/what they really are. When those two opposing forces collide it can be quite shocking if not downright devastating. The Long Shot possesses a genuine conflict point, rather then a contrived one, which alters the characters at a DNA level.

The story offers a focused minimalism at its best. There isn’t much of a back story; there isn’t a wide angle lens. There is only a tight focus on the here and now. I think by any measurable standard The Long Shot is a fantastic book but I would particularly implore fans of noir and crime fiction to make sure that they check it out. Part Rocky, part The Wrestler. Refreshingly modern without even a hint of pulpy aftertaste. Very tragic and very much worth your time. Seriousley, I’m not kidding, go read this book.