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ashleytalksbooks's review against another edition
The translation was always and clunky. The story itself seems interesting, but I couldn’t read around the translation any longer.
justjussy__'s review against another edition
4.0
“We’re too busy living to worry about people who are already dead; that’s all there is to it. I’ve managed to make it this far by believing that when people die, they’re gone forever, and I’m certainly not going to start believing in ghosts at this point.”
The Graveyard Apartment
By Marino Koike
Translated by Deborah Boliver Boehm
QUICK SUMMARY 🖊️
A young family move into an apartment building situated next to a graveyard and they soon learn about the history of the area when strange things start taking place.
FINAL THOUGHTS 💭
I am really glad I spoke with @curiously.katt before just up and deciding to DNF this one. Because I did totally love the atmosphere the story gave. It’s more than just a haunted house (apartment) story.
What was an issue for me, mostly at the beginning is I believe a translation issue more so than anything else. Although this mostly seemed to be a me issue at the beginning. As the story went on I noticed it less and less.
The Graveyard Apartment
By Marino Koike
Translated by Deborah Boliver Boehm
QUICK SUMMARY 🖊️
A young family move into an apartment building situated next to a graveyard and they soon learn about the history of the area when strange things start taking place.
FINAL THOUGHTS 💭
I am really glad I spoke with @curiously.katt before just up and deciding to DNF this one. Because I did totally love the atmosphere the story gave. It’s more than just a haunted house (apartment) story.
What was an issue for me, mostly at the beginning is I believe a translation issue more so than anything else. Although this mostly seemed to be a me issue at the beginning. As the story went on I noticed it less and less.
mellabella's review against another edition
I really can't rate this. This was another DNF at the middle. I used to be the kind of reader that would NEVER not finish a book. Especially one like this that I had been wanting to read for a while. I don't mind a slow build. But this started out tedious and only got worse. Not scary or atmospheric.
erinld2005's review against another edition
4.0
http://angelerin.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-graveyard-apartment-by-mariko-koike.html
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ebook copy of The Graveyard Apartment By: Mariko Koike in exchange for an honest review.
Short Review Summary:
Atmospheric, good tension, and slow building.
The first thing that drew me to The Graveyard Apartment is the cover, but the other thing that really caught my attention is that it was originally published (in 1986, the year I was born) in Japan. I enjoy Japanese horror and I feel like it's something that I haven't read/watched enough of. Boy, am I glad I gave this one a try because I really enjoyed it!
#CoverLove
The Graveyard Apartment is an extremely atmospheric book. Due to the atmosphere, the mystery, the supernatural aspects, and the slow build I found it to be a bit gothic. I love stories that are a bit gothic and have a great slow building story, so this definitely was a big plus for me! However, this book is also psychological and pretty intense at times. The tension is really magnificently done in this novel. I'm a sucker for atmosphere and tension. I don't really have a lot to say about the characters though. I felt for Teppei, Misao, and their daughter Tamao in their situation, but I didn't really like any of them. It's not that I disliked them, but I definitely feel like this is a more of a setting/plot driven novel.
#AtmosphereAndTensionAreAWinningCombo
There are a few classic tropes, but they are very well done. Also, because it was first published in the 80s that is to be expected. I really enjoyed the tropes that were used and it didn't take away from the intensity of the novel. One part was so intense and then I had to go to sleep right after (since I couldn't keep my eyes open lol) and I really wanted to keep reading. It's funny because I dreamed about that intense part in my dreams that night. I couldn't wait to get back to it and finish the book the next day. I think that part will stick with me for a while. I love that.
#IDreamAboutBooks
Overall The Graveyard Apartment is a FANTASTIC horror novel and I loved it. I even love the ending that is equal parts awesomeness and frustrating. You'll have to read for yourself to see what exactly I mean by that though. I'm so glad I read this one. It's exactly what I've been in the mood for this Fall.
#OctoberReads
I recommend The Graveyard Apartment for fans of Shirley Jackson, The Ring, atmospheric/tense horror stories.
#CallingAllHorrorFans
tankgrrl1344's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
paperbacksandpines's review against another edition
4.0
Mariko Koike's The Graveyard Apartment is written in the same style as Japanese horror movie The Ring.
I picked this book up because I was looking for not only a scare but a scare from another culture. I wanted to compare a Japanese take on horror to that of North Americans. It is a different kind horror than most Americans are used to consuming. We like our horror to be fast-paced, heartbeat-skipping, and sleepless night inducing.
This book did not check the first box. It was a slow build, which may be an instant turn off for readers seeking instant gratification. As far as anxiety inducing elements go, that will depend entirely on how easily the reader is spooked. The incidents in which the Kano family, and those of others living in the apartment building, encounter range from creepy to downright terrifying.
I found it really interesting reading and learning about Japanese culture in this book. The husband and wife made a decision that was frowned upon by society, impacting the way they viewed the wife, Misao, especially. It surprised me how the Kano's extended family asked them intimate details about the family's financial health and they weren't strongly rebuffed.
Some of the social customs in the book made me do double takes. In one scene, Teppei and Misao were embracing. When Teppei's brother appeared, they sprang apart, like they had just been caught doing something much more intimate. In another scene, Teppei and his five year old daughter had taken a bath together! I understand that cultures all have their peculiarities that are difficult for others to understand and accept but that scene set off warning bells.
Some readers won't find enough scares or thrills in The Graveyard Apartment. Other readers will find the subtle horrors in this book to be "macabre, disturbing, and distinctly unpleasant." If you're looking for a slow build, this is an entertaining book to read.
I picked this book up because I was looking for not only a scare but a scare from another culture. I wanted to compare a Japanese take on horror to that of North Americans. It is a different kind horror than most Americans are used to consuming. We like our horror to be fast-paced, heartbeat-skipping, and sleepless night inducing.
This book did not check the first box. It was a slow build, which may be an instant turn off for readers seeking instant gratification. As far as anxiety inducing elements go, that will depend entirely on how easily the reader is spooked. The incidents in which the Kano family, and those of others living in the apartment building, encounter range from creepy to downright terrifying.
I found it really interesting reading and learning about Japanese culture in this book. The husband and wife made a decision that was frowned upon by society, impacting the way they viewed the wife, Misao, especially. It surprised me how the Kano's extended family asked them intimate details about the family's financial health and they weren't strongly rebuffed.
Some of the social customs in the book made me do double takes. In one scene, Teppei and Misao were embracing. When Teppei's brother appeared, they sprang apart, like they had just been caught doing something much more intimate. In another scene, Teppei and his five year old daughter had taken a bath together! I understand that cultures all have their peculiarities that are difficult for others to understand and accept but that scene set off warning bells.
Some readers won't find enough scares or thrills in The Graveyard Apartment. Other readers will find the subtle horrors in this book to be "macabre, disturbing, and distinctly unpleasant." If you're looking for a slow build, this is an entertaining book to read.
em_harring's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book. It's a solid haunted house type horror novel. It's very slow, and didn't quite build enough tension or horror for me, but I enjoyed seeing the family slowly unravel as the days go by. Koike nailed the "I'm trapped in a living situation I don't want to be in, and here's how it's affecting our family dynamincs" really well.
I also question some of the translation choices. Some of the dialogue and the description is stilted or just awkward (some of the word choices just weren't natural for every day conversation at all). I would be interested to know how the dialogue is in the original.
Overall, I would recommend if you're into j-horror, but if you're looking for a more Western horror you're probably not going to like this.
I also question some of the translation choices. Some of the dialogue and the description is stilted or just awkward (some of the word choices just weren't natural for every day conversation at all). I would be interested to know how the dialogue is in the original.
Overall, I would recommend if you're into j-horror, but if you're looking for a more Western horror you're probably not going to like this.
drlisak's review against another edition
2.0
Slow. Not very scary (except toward the end). Repetitive, and characters that weren't all that likeable.
jennyleighx33's review against another edition
3.0
While there were moments I genuinely found to be spooky, The Graveyard Apartment mostly left me longing for more. A lot of phantom roads leading to nowhere, which certainly makes the haunting mysterious but a bit too vague for my personal tastes (although, I could see Kiyoshi Kurosawa being very inspired by this book).
I understand the sentiment, but I’m not sure I agree with the author’s viewpoint, as I don’t really think Misao (despite being obnoxious at times) deserved such punishment. It certainly feels like 80s ideology, given society’s constant fear of conservative traditions being tossed aside for the carnal desires of young people.
That said, there is a complex criticism on toxic men, far beyond its time. The more I sat on it, the more I appreciated what Koike had to say about men like Teppei, those who always crave youth and fun and hate being challenged by women. It's good. I think the translation makes it a bit dry to read.
I understand the sentiment, but I’m not sure I agree with the author’s viewpoint, as I don’t really think Misao (despite being obnoxious at times) deserved such punishment. It certainly feels like 80s ideology, given society’s constant fear of conservative traditions being tossed aside for the carnal desires of young people.
That said, there is a complex criticism on toxic men, far beyond its time. The more I sat on it, the more I appreciated what Koike had to say about men like Teppei, those who always crave youth and fun and hate being challenged by women. It's good. I think the translation makes it a bit dry to read.
puzzled_pagan's review against another edition
3.0
It's a pretty decent little horror story, I just kept expecting it to go further than it ever did. Just kind of stays in the realm of spooky without ever getting scary.