Moral assessment:
Type: Literature
Nothing inappropriate.
Some morally inappropriate content.
Contains significant sections contrary to faith or morals.
Contains some lurid passages, or presents a general ideological framework that could confuse those without much Christian formation.
Contains several lurid passages, or presents an ideological framework that is contrary or foreign to Christian values.
Explicitly contradicts Catholic faith or morals, or is directed against the Church and its institutions.
John Lyons, the main character of the novel, lives in Japan with his wife. He has a regular job and, although he is an American, he spies for the Russians. He drinks too much, womanises and treats people arrogantly, including his wife, who knows nothing of his spying and his infidelities.
The Japanese, who suspect him of being a spy, arrange a meeting with a very attractive young singer who is told to allow herself to be seduced in order to ascertain the activities of John. She obediently accepts her orders ‘to serve the divine Emperor’. The result is tragic for her, for John and for his wife.
C.A. (India, 2016)