Scan barcode
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
4.0
Through interviews with those involved and back stories about key individuals, this book revolves around not only the gas attack but the reasoning within individuals who get caught up in a cult and are thereafter convinced to commit murder. Murakami speaks with some participants in the murders and some of those who were injured during the attack. Digs at questions of religious fanaticism and how and why a person could be convinced to murder someone else based on religious beliefs. Disturbing and extremely informative.
irxren's review against another edition
4.0
In this non-fiction literary collection, Murakami delves into the real-life stories of individuals profoundly affected by the Tokyo Gas Attack, a chilling act of terrorism that shook Japan. From a random train passenger to a dedicated officer and even an Irish Jockey, each person's experience during the deadliest incident since World War II unfolds in raw detail.
The book captures the diverse perspectives of those caught in the chaos: 13 lives lost, 50 severely injured, and thousands rushed to hospitals. Murakami skillfully avoids his usual magical realism, opting for a straightforward narrative that reflects the unadorned reality of the event. What sets this book apart is its sincere exploration of why such horrors occur and the lessons humanity can glean from them.
The book captures the diverse perspectives of those caught in the chaos: 13 lives lost, 50 severely injured, and thousands rushed to hospitals. Murakami skillfully avoids his usual magical realism, opting for a straightforward narrative that reflects the unadorned reality of the event. What sets this book apart is its sincere exploration of why such horrors occur and the lessons humanity can glean from them.
lostintranslatedbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This is a well-balanced book about the Tokyo gas bombings in the early 1990s. My friend recommended this book to me and I can’t put it down. Without any spoilers, I think it definitely changed my views, and even gave me, a new and different perspective to Murakami’s fictional works like Wind-up bird chronicles and Killing Commendatore.
honnari_hannya's review against another edition
4.0
A great, chilling nonfiction read for those who are interested in history, sociology, memoir, or interviews. I loved the way Murakami and his editor structured this, with passages about the specific trains framing and providing context for each batch of interviews, so that readers get a bird's eye view of the magnitude of the disaster and then a closer inspection of its effect on the people who lived that day. The most heartbreaking interview were the ones with the siblings, Akashi Tatsuo and Shizuko.
I also liked the addition of the interviews with the Aum cult members who weren't involved in the attack—because Murakami wanted to center this narrative around the victims, it was only right to include them too as victims of Asahara Shoko's manipulation.
I also liked the addition of the interviews with the Aum cult members who weren't involved in the attack—because Murakami wanted to center this narrative around the victims, it was only right to include them too as victims of Asahara Shoko's manipulation.
solaireastora's review against another edition
5.0
A fascinating book. It is divided into 2 main parts, with 2 essays from the author as well. The first part consists of interviews with survivors of the Tokyo Subway gas attack in March 1995. The second part consists of interviews with 61 Aum Shinrikyo members (who were not involved directly with the attack, but still had insight into the cult itself)
Some of the stories almost made me cry, especially the one where the author interviews a woman who has severe brain damage from the sarin gas. She has lost motor functions and memory but is gradually, very slowly trying to recover. It is tragic that her life would be destroyed in such a way.
Probably, a better job could not be done in terms of trying to understand all the human aspects of this monstrous event.
“In the final analysis, logic doesn’t play a strong role in people’s motivations.”
pg 354
“However, we need to realize that most of the people who join cults are not abnormal; they’re not disadvantaged, they’re not eccentrics. They are people who live average lives… who may live in my neighbourhood. And in yours.”
pg 364
Some of the stories almost made me cry, especially the one where the author interviews a woman who has severe brain damage from the sarin gas. She has lost motor functions and memory but is gradually, very slowly trying to recover. It is tragic that her life would be destroyed in such a way.
Probably, a better job could not be done in terms of trying to understand all the human aspects of this monstrous event.
“In the final analysis, logic doesn’t play a strong role in people’s motivations.”
pg 354
“However, we need to realize that most of the people who join cults are not abnormal; they’re not disadvantaged, they’re not eccentrics. They are people who live average lives… who may live in my neighbourhood. And in yours.”
pg 364
kaykal's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0