Lewis Libby, in his book "The Apprentice", doesn't. This is an evocative book set in the mountainous northern country of pre-World War I Japan (hint: near Russia). The protagonist is the young apprentice of an inn and most of the action takes place during a particularly severe blizzard. This was simply one of the best books I have read in a long, long time. The writing is incredible, the plot interesting and the characters intriguing. I hope that you can find the book at a bookstore near you.
Apprentice didn't make the New York Times bestsellers list. I've lost what little faith I had in using the bestsellers list to find books to read.
