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jroberts3456's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Torture
misssleepy's review against another edition
- 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
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 part of the film. I actually think that the violence toward Gangsta will give me nightmares. (Coming back after researching, Gangsta does die in the film hit his death isn’t shown, just a brief shot of the after math. Maybe my eyes were covered or I blocked it from my memory.)
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 what was 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.
My biggest conclusion is that this story would be 4.0+ stars if they would t have done Gangsta like that !
Graphic: Violence, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Body horror
f18's review against another edition
- 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
I saw the movie Audition years ago, and found it underwhelming. In part, because I had been overhyped on how gory it would be but reading the book reminded me of other issues I had with the story.
After watching Love & Pop, Audition, and both reading and watching Piercing I think that what I really wanted from this book isn't what Murakami is interested in exploring in his work. I did enjoy this more than Piercing. Aoyama wasn't exactly likeable but he was far less grating than Kawashima who made me constantly want to throw the book across the room until around the halfway point when the comedy of errors plot kicked in. Piercing I found funny straight away which made it a much more entertaining read. Murakami's works are ultimately focused on internal psychology though, and in a way I always seem to have mixed feelings about.
Regardless, the ending was brilliant.
Graphic: Sexism, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Mental illness, Blood, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Violence, Torture, and Gore
Minor: Infidelity, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Cancer, Grief, Pedophilia, Death, Incest, Child abuse, and Alcohol
drug abuse specifically in the form of giving someone drugs without their consentmayankaris's review
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, and Animal death
mossroot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I've seen some complaints about the ending, but personally I believe it fits so well with the characters and is a really good example of the characterization that Murakami uses.
Audition took me about two hours to finish.
Graphic: Abandonment, Torture, Gore, Animal death, Alcohol, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Murder, Terminal illness, Blood, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Death, Animal cruelty, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death of parent and Gaslighting
rhythmixia's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Animal death, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
lobsterlemons's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Violence, Animal cruelty, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Animal death
Moderate: Death, Child abuse, and Drug use
ripxw's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse
mareld's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Murder, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Torture, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Eating disorder, Alcohol, Blood, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
emmablue's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, and Animal death