Scan barcode
moz_art's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ghostface's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
jroberts3456's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Torture
littlespookysmut's review against another edition
4.0
I wanted to read this cause my boyfriend told me the movie was really gross and I ended up enjoying this more then I thought I would.
It’s a fast paced thriller that keeps you guessing
Tw: animal death, gore
It’s a fast paced thriller that keeps you guessing
Tw: animal death, gore
emilywest21's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
misssleepy's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I watched Audition (the 1999 film) last year but had no idea it was a book. I came across the book on tik tok and decided to give it a read.
This book was so dark. The majority of the book reads like a psychological thriller but the last 25% of the book (especially the last 2 chapters) are pure horror.
Unfortunately there is violence toward animals (the pet dog, Gangsta) that was especially disturbing. I did not like this and I don’t believe this was a pet of the film. I actually think that the violence toward Gangsta will give me nightmares.
The ending does have similarities to the movie but there are some key differences. Shige does save his dad in both versions which I did like.
The book does delve into the background of Yamasaki more than the movie and provides more context into why she commits the acts of violence that she does. It’s discussed in the movie but the book dives deeper into her psyche, which I enjoy.
I also think that Aoyama is more complex in the book. He’s definitely misogynistic and treats women as objects but there are times where I felt sympathy for him and believed his feelings towards Yamasaki. I had to remind myself often of their age gap and how gross it was to help shake some of the sympathy.
I think that the detailed sexism made me “root” for Yamasaki at times but I do think the extreme violence was more than warranted. So in the end the feelings are just very conflicting.
Regardless, what happened to Gangsta was just uncalled for!! So I was glad that bitch got stabbed in the neck in the end.
I keep lowering my rating because why the fuck did the dog have to die!!!
I haven’t stopped thinking of gangsta. I lowered my star rating because of this.
This book was so dark. The majority of the book reads like a psychological thriller but the last 25% of the book (especially the last 2 chapters) are pure horror.
Unfortunately there is violence toward animals (the pet dog, Gangsta) that was especially disturbing. I did not like this and I don’t believe this was a pet of the film. I actually think that the violence toward Gangsta will give me nightmares.
The ending does have similarities to the movie but there are some key differences. Shige does save his dad in both versions which I did like.
The book does delve into the background of Yamasaki more than the movie and provides more context into why she commits the acts of violence that she does. It’s discussed in the movie but the book dives deeper into her psyche, which I enjoy.
I also think that Aoyama is more complex in the book. He’s definitely misogynistic and treats women as objects but there are times where I felt sympathy for him and believed his feelings towards Yamasaki. I had to remind myself often of their age gap and how gross it was to help shake some of the sympathy.
I think that the detailed sexism made me “root” for Yamasaki at times but I do think the extreme violence was more than warranted. So in the end the feelings are just very conflicting.
Regardless, what happened to Gangsta was just uncalled for!! So I was glad that bitch got stabbed in the neck in the end.
I keep lowering my rating because why the fuck did the dog have to die!!!
I haven’t stopped thinking of gangsta. I lowered my star rating because of this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Violence, and Animal cruelty
anyajulchen's review against another edition
3.0
Tras leer un par de libros de Ryu, debo decir que su habilidad para escribir finales deja bastante que desear. El resto del libro es un desarrollo impecable de las situaciones, pero todo decae justo cuando uno ya se muerde los dedos y espera un gran final.
Eso sí, la traducción y el cuidado de la edición es impecable. Felicitaciones a la editorial.
Eso sí, la traducción y el cuidado de la edición es impecable. Felicitaciones a la editorial.
theredqueenlinnea's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Honestly just enjoyed the ride with this one. The philosophic ruminations and metaphors on post capitalist Japan underlying the story were good. I genuinely enjoyed the characters, their relationships, and the simplicity but sheer wild impressions made emotionally. The ending is very Japanese horror, and was quite good.