Scan barcode
dizzyjxc's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.75
sultanareads's review
5.0
4,5
“No matter how hard he tries, no matter what he might think, Man will always be mere man, and never God.”
“No matter how hard he tries, no matter what he might think, Man will always be mere man, and never God.”
cl456's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mara19's review
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
mirimira's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
justinbaumann71's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Let me tell you about my experience with "The Decagon House Murders" by Yukito Ayatsuji. Now, I'm a fan of classic murder mysteries, and I know this Japanese cult classic was originally released in the late 80s, but boy, was it a struggle to get through.
One thing that really stood out to me was the lack of cultural context. As a non-Japanese reader, I wish there were footnotes explaining some of the cultural nuances. For instance, why certain cities were referred to as S-Town. A friend explained it to me, but having footnotes would've enhanced my understanding and immersion in the story.
The pacing of the book left something to be desired. I found the events unfolding to be somewhat dull because we didn't get enough time to connect with the characters, whether on the island or off. And when the big reveal came at the end, it felt predictable, like the only logical conclusion. As a result, I didn't feel particularly invested and found myself just wanting to finish the book.
Overall, while "The Decagon House Murders" may have its fans, it didn't quite hit the mark for me. I won't be picking up the sequel anytime soon.
One thing that really stood out to me was the lack of cultural context. As a non-Japanese reader, I wish there were footnotes explaining some of the cultural nuances. For instance, why certain cities were referred to as S-Town. A friend explained it to me, but having footnotes would've enhanced my understanding and immersion in the story.
The pacing of the book left something to be desired. I found the events unfolding to be somewhat dull because we didn't get enough time to connect with the characters, whether on the island or off. And when the big reveal came at the end, it felt predictable, like the only logical conclusion. As a result, I didn't feel particularly invested and found myself just wanting to finish the book.
Overall, while "The Decagon House Murders" may have its fans, it didn't quite hit the mark for me. I won't be picking up the sequel anytime soon.
sofiamey's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
skylights's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75