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made_in_dna's review against another edition
5.0
A stunning look at Japanese society, economy (consumer lending culture in particular), culture and more in the 90s. Eye-opening and extremely well-researched (without being heavy or boring) by Miyuki Miyabe. Fiction that tells a very real story of one woman trying to disappear, and the police investigator trying to find her.
Riveting, well-written contemporary fiction by one of Japan's most popular and prolific female writers. I've heard this book is even used in some Western universities to study Japanese literature. Well worth your time. You'll race through the 300 pages in no time and want more!
Riveting, well-written contemporary fiction by one of Japan's most popular and prolific female writers. I've heard this book is even used in some Western universities to study Japanese literature. Well worth your time. You'll race through the 300 pages in no time and want more!
nath_py's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Stalking, and Slavery
Minor: Kidnapping
riskayourina's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
slow-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
4.5
The ending is the best part!
cleheny's review against another edition
4.0
I found this on my parents' bookshelf when I was visiting over the holiday. I am glad that I decided to give it a try. Miyabe writes an absorbing mystery about stolen identities and the harsh consequences of debt in early '90's Japan. I have mixed feelings about the ending; it is a brilliant stroke, given the development of the mystery, but part of me wishes Miyabe had written one more chapter.
I also liked the detective she developed, and I'm disappointed that Honma and his family (biological and extended) are not ongoing characters in Miyabe's other books (at least the ones I've been able to find summaries of). All in all, a well-written and compelling story.
I also liked the detective she developed, and I'm disappointed that Honma and his family (biological and extended) are not ongoing characters in Miyabe's other books (at least the ones I've been able to find summaries of). All in all, a well-written and compelling story.
hllreka's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
4.0
Meski masih ada pertanyaan yg belum jelas jawabannya tp buku ini berhasil bikin adrenalin saya mendidih. Di setiap pergantian bab dan pernyataan kesaksian bikin saya deg2an; menanti-nanti fakta apa lagi yg akan diungkap oleh Honma.
spacestationtrustfund's review against another edition
3.0
The original title is 「火車」 [kasha], which means "locomotive" in Chinese, but in Japanese it has approximately half a dozen meanings, including but not limited to a cat-like yôkai that steals the corpses of those who died as a result of accumulating evil deeds, a Catherine wheel firework, a flaming chariot responsible for transporting souls to hell, or an alternate spelling of 花車 [kasha], a brothel madame (woman who manages and supervises prostitutes).
Several of the characters' names were changed for the English translation (by Alfred Birnbaum): "Shoko Sekine" was originally Sekine Akiko (関根 彰子); "Kyôko Shinjô" was originally Shinjô (or Shinshiro) Takako (新城 喬子); "Jun Kurisaka" was originally Kurisaka Kazuya (栗坂 和也); "Mr. Imai" was originally Imai Shirô (今井 四郎); "Mitchie" was originally Mit-chan (みっちゃん); "Sadao Funaki" was originally Ikari Sadao (碇 貞夫); "Hideki Wada" was originally Katase Hideki (片瀬 秀樹); "Orie Chino" was originally Ichiki Kaori (市木 かおり). I have no idea why these changes were made, as they add absolutely nothing of value to the story, and arguably even detract from it.
Several of the characters' names were changed for the English translation (by Alfred Birnbaum): "Shoko Sekine" was originally Sekine Akiko (関根 彰子); "Kyôko Shinjô" was originally Shinjô (or Shinshiro) Takako (新城 喬子); "Jun Kurisaka" was originally Kurisaka Kazuya (栗坂 和也); "Mr. Imai" was originally Imai Shirô (今井 四郎); "Mitchie" was originally Mit-chan (みっちゃん); "Sadao Funaki" was originally Ikari Sadao (碇 貞夫); "Hideki Wada" was originally Katase Hideki (片瀬 秀樹); "Orie Chino" was originally Ichiki Kaori (市木 かおり). I have no idea why these changes were made, as they add absolutely nothing of value to the story, and arguably even detract from it.
kikicochrane's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a slow burn read for me. I enjoyed Miyabe's writing style and overall pace of the story. Honma makes for a wonderful protagonist, he has flaws and he seeks assistance from others to help solve the mystery of why his nephew's fiancé up and vanished. Despite taking place in the 1990's, I learned quite a bit about how consumerism and materialism resulted in thousands of people falling victim to credit card debt in Japan. It made me reflective on the characters in the novel for those in the real world who struggled with the family class structure and financial debt during that time period.
Despite having many questions left unanswered by the end of the novel, I thought that it was a fascinating read with a few thrills.
Despite having many questions left unanswered by the end of the novel, I thought that it was a fascinating read with a few thrills.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Animal death and Classism
Minor: Rape
melc103's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars exactly.
This is not a bad book. It may be a 4 stars book if it is not be recommended as a crime novel or even thriller. Readers may figure out what happened at a very early stage, so it is definitely not fun for crime or thriller fiction readers. Letting alone this is an award winner.
However, this novel has many interesting points. For example, I got to see the Japanese credit system at that decade and really felt something that made me a bit upset as the story unfolded progressively.
Also, the ending was somehow a bit unclear, according to my friend, but I see it as an absolute tragedy... She never really showed up in the story until the very end. All they really wanted to know was what she had gone through..Yes, she did terrible things but I just want to give her a hug (followed by a call to police lol)...I was really emotional at that moment. I could say that I would feel different if I were 10 years old younger.
At this stage, I will discontinue with her works but who knows, I may pick them up some day
This is not a bad book. It may be a 4 stars book if it is not be recommended as a crime novel or even thriller. Readers may figure out what happened at a very early stage, so it is definitely not fun for crime or thriller fiction readers. Letting alone this is an award winner.
However, this novel has many interesting points. For example, I got to see the Japanese credit system at that decade and really felt something that made me a bit upset as the story unfolded progressively.
Also, the ending was somehow a bit unclear, according to my friend, but I see it as an absolute tragedy... She never really showed up in the story until the very end. All they really wanted to know was what she had gone through..Yes, she did terrible things but I just want to give her a hug (followed by a call to police lol)...I was really emotional at that moment. I could say that I would feel different if I were 10 years old younger.
At this stage, I will discontinue with her works but who knows, I may pick them up some day
grimamethyst's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0