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jorgechachas's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A haunting detail of the inner monologues of a man struggling with suicidal tendencies. A book that makes you feel heavy whenever you’re reading it. Not much more than that though. Eloquently written, concise, poetic, and low in plot. Enjoyable quick read.
7 out of 10.
7 out of 10.
sspaghettiboness's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I did not expect to become a Fuminori Nakamura completionist, but every novel I read by him simply makes me want to read another. This book is no exception. He excels at putting words to deep, twisting emotions built of rage, fear, and dread. The main character here is one built out of suffering, only thriving by receiving more.
Intentional or not, the first chapter gave me a little Fight Club vibe, although it was quickly washed away by how different this writing is. Which is what I like the most about reading his work - he does not waste time on superfluous description, he needles right away at exactly how he wants the reader to feel. In this case, it seemed there was a drowning sense of dread and apathy, which he then lit a flame by hope, and cemented the story with a healthy dose of reality.
Excellent writing, excellent piece. I look forward to reading more by him very soon.
Intentional or not, the first chapter gave me a little Fight Club vibe, although it was quickly washed away by how different this writing is. Which is what I like the most about reading his work - he does not waste time on superfluous description, he needles right away at exactly how he wants the reader to feel. In this case, it seemed there was a drowning sense of dread and apathy, which he then lit a flame by hope, and cemented the story with a healthy dose of reality.
Excellent writing, excellent piece. I look forward to reading more by him very soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, and Miscarriage
citronellope's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
emilysbookblog's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this story... Longer review to come
delphiniumrose_'s review against another edition
4.0
TW // physical abuse, depression. my brain hurts and i wasn’t expecting this dark noir. always on the verge of a panic attack and always feeling empty. bye
mirandacactusreads's review against another edition
4.0
I had been wanting to read a book in translation for a while so I thought I'd finally pick this one up from the tbr! Luckily it was short, sparse, and easy to read so I could knock another one off for my challenge this year lol. I liked how this book read as a thriller, but was still so focused on the main character and his story.
manwithanagenda's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
For such a tiny, tiny book, 'The Boy in the Earth' takes a long time to develop, but when it does....
Our narrator is a taxi-driver in Tokyo, a job he fell into because he likes the solitude and lack of intimacy. He's depressed and his suicidal thoughts are getting worse and he has dreams of being swallowed up by the earth. His live-in girlfriend is similarly burdened with depression and alcohol dependency.
Its clear that there's something more going on here than quarter-life ennui, but Nakamura holds out for a slow reveal, making us follow our narrator through self-destructive episodes and disturbing childhood memories.
This was not what I was expecting, but I was pretty damn impressed by the end of it.
Our narrator is a taxi-driver in Tokyo, a job he fell into because he likes the solitude and lack of intimacy. He's depressed and his suicidal thoughts are getting worse and he has dreams of being swallowed up by the earth. His live-in girlfriend is similarly burdened with depression and alcohol dependency.
Its clear that there's something more going on here than quarter-life ennui, but Nakamura holds out for a slow reveal, making us follow our narrator through self-destructive episodes and disturbing childhood memories.
This was not what I was expecting, but I was pretty damn impressed by the end of it.
mugadum's review against another edition
1.0
Split into 2 novellas - 土の中の子供、and 蜘蛛の声. Both are dreary in that same clinical and detached tone that appears to pervade modern Japanese “pop” literature. The premise of both stories are somewhat interesting at first glance, but the execution is terribly formulaic and full of cheap plot devices that the author attempts to use to make pseudo philosophical statements. I can enjoy a good noir story but this is just too awful.