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maiborromeo's review against another edition
4.0
This book hit so close to home. In Asia, most people think that just because you are a public figure they own you and they have every right to everything that involves you. This is a perfect example of the toxic culture, maybe not just with Asians, but with everyone in general.
beatricetheoxfordclerk's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
yontararak's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
westernskynaida's review against another edition
3.25
Honestly, I enjoyed this. I’m kind of glad that I read similar book first because at least I understood that being from the stalker/murderer’s POV adds to the horror
Now I’m wanting to watch the movie even more because I want to see why everyone says the movie is better (not that I doubt that because Kon was a film genius)
Now I’m wanting to watch the movie even more because I want to see why everyone says the movie is better (not that I doubt that because Kon was a film genius)
lapingveno's review against another edition
5.0
Is this just a pulpy thriller about a deranged, Silence-of-the-Lambs-esque super fan who wants his favorite pop idol sensation's skin? Yes.
But is it also a subtle commentary on how a man can be so absorbed by lust that he projects his hatred for himself onto women as though it were their fault that he lacks self-control? Is it also a commentary on the male proclivity to suffer from Pygmalion syndrome, to want to "fine tune" a woman into his exact image of perfection? Is it also a commentary on men's obsession with the maintenance of feminine purity while in the same breath excusing/ignoring their own perversions/sexual deviancies/shortcomings? Well, perhaps so.
This is certainly not the same plot as that of the anime film adaptation, but each does its own thing well (similar to the relationship between Richard Matheson's I Am Legend and the film of the same name staring Will Smith). Those who've read this should watch the film, and those who've watched the film first (as I did) should also read this, as both have rather deep points to be made (or at least found hidden within the subtext, or whatever artsy-fartsy thing I'm trying to say here).
In short: Bravo!
But is it also a subtle commentary on how a man can be so absorbed by lust that he projects his hatred for himself onto women as though it were their fault that he lacks self-control? Is it also a commentary on the male proclivity to suffer from Pygmalion syndrome, to want to "fine tune" a woman into his exact image of perfection? Is it also a commentary on men's obsession with the maintenance of feminine purity while in the same breath excusing/ignoring their own perversions/sexual deviancies/shortcomings? Well, perhaps so.
This is certainly not the same plot as that of the anime film adaptation, but each does its own thing well (similar to the relationship between Richard Matheson's I Am Legend and the film of the same name staring Will Smith). Those who've read this should watch the film, and those who've watched the film first (as I did) should also read this, as both have rather deep points to be made (or at least found hidden within the subtext, or whatever artsy-fartsy thing I'm trying to say here).
In short: Bravo!
nightmare_maven's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
selceyn's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
readingslay's review against another edition
3.0
[3.5 stars] This was so vile to read especially the second half and kind of terrifying, I almost wish the movie was similar to this plot but it seems like if it was the same it would be a completely different movie altogether, so they should be appreciated separately I guess. This book was good ngl but I probably will never read it again because of how horrifying it was
theconquerorbookworm's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
dollhousebooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
1.0
Sometimes authors write characters in such a way that makes you want them to die. The two female characters involved in this final, "climactic" chase scene (Rumi & Mima), made such stupid decisions that I was rooting for their death. It was just so aggravating to read 2-3 chapters worth of these dumb women trying to escape from this evil man without actually successfully getting anything done until the very last 2 pages. And that only happened because of some other characters being there.
Here are some examples of their absolute stupidity:
1. Leaving the light on in the room where they were hiding in an otherwise completely dark and empty building.
2. Getting caught 2 seconds after they decide to try to make their 1st escape by running into a wall because they lose their footing. (Not entirely their fault but it was incredibly aggravating and a complete waste of time)
3. When one of them finally does escape from the bad guy (for like the 2nd time) they end up just sitting in another dark room where they originally were taken for quite some time while pondering whether or not to take the emergency exit or not and then getting caught again.
4. When other characters who try to save the two ladies by "killing" the villain but not actually checking to make sure he's dead so he ends up attacking the main character again...for like the 3rd-4th time after her pathetic attempts of "escaping."
They just were so stupidly useless that I lost all respect for them. Pitiful characters who continued to not think and do stupid things and totally deserved to die.
Here are some examples of their absolute stupidity:
1. Leaving the light on in the room where they were hiding in an otherwise completely dark and empty building.
2. Getting caught 2 seconds after they decide to try to make their 1st escape by running into a wall because they lose their footing. (Not entirely their fault but it was incredibly aggravating and a complete waste of time)
3. When one of them finally does escape from the bad guy (for like the 2nd time) they end up just sitting in another dark room where they originally were taken for quite some time while pondering whether or not to take the emergency exit or not and then getting caught again.
4. When other characters who try to save the two ladies by "killing" the villain but not actually checking to make sure he's dead so he ends up attacking the main character again...for like the 3rd-4th time after her pathetic attempts of "escaping."
They just were so stupidly useless that I lost all respect for them. Pitiful characters who continued to not think and do stupid things and totally deserved to die.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Murder