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tarshka's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
3.5
I found this book recommended as a good start into Japanese mysteries that take after the style of golden age mysteries (honkaku and shin honkaku, apparently are the genres). This is sort of Japanese "And Then There Were None". Which it definitely is inspired by/referencing, it's even mentioned a couple times. I enjoyed it well enough, though the ending felt kind of long and drawn out. I don't know if that's unique to this story or part of the style.
Specifically for the audio version I listened to, the author has a way of pronouncing certain sounds that was very strange to me. It didn't particularly bother me, it was just odd as I've never heard this accent before.
Specifically for the audio version I listened to, the author has a way of pronouncing certain sounds that was very strange to me. It didn't particularly bother me, it was just odd as I've never heard this accent before.
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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
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
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
Here’s the thing this is Bill there’s a Japanese cult, classic murder mystery style book and I know it was originally released in the late 80s but like men was this a slog to get through.
Additionally, I really feel like because this is a Japanese book that has been translated from English audience. I wish they were little footnotes that explain some of the cultural reasons for why the book is freezing things certain way. I asked a friend who is more familiar with Asian culture than I am and he was saying that the reason they just called the cities S-Town because they don’t need the whole city when they’re in writing and he had a better explanation for the night, but like a foot note explaining that would’ve been really cool, so that I could have a better sense of where I was in Japan and and fill in the blanks mentally.
I found the actual playing out of the events to be semi-boring because we just didn’t get enough time to feel invested with the characters either on the island or off island, and the reveal at the end regarding the motivation, was the only route they could possibly go, so I never felt overly connected and kind of just wanted to be done by the end of the book I don’t plan on getting the sequel.
Additionally, I really feel like because this is a Japanese book that has been translated from English audience. I wish they were little footnotes that explain some of the cultural reasons for why the book is freezing things certain way. I asked a friend who is more familiar with Asian culture than I am and he was saying that the reason they just called the cities S-Town because they don’t need the whole city when they’re in writing and he had a better explanation for the night, but like a foot note explaining that would’ve been really cool, so that I could have a better sense of where I was in Japan and and fill in the blanks mentally.
I found the actual playing out of the events to be semi-boring because we just didn’t get enough time to feel invested with the characters either on the island or off island, and the reveal at the end regarding the motivation, was the only route they could possibly go, so I never felt overly connected and kind of just wanted to be done by the end of the book I don’t plan on getting the sequel.
sofiamey's review against another edition
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