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inhaledmocha's review against another edition
Literally a waste of my time. The main characters "Friend" describes his VIVID recounting of the sexual assault a woman and it goes on for far too long and literally adds nothing to the story. And the main character just ignores is wife's pleas to not let him in the house because she's uncomfortable around him. Like WTF?
And then has the audacity to pick up the plot (Where essentially the movie starts at about 50%) and say okay here's the actual plot now have fun.
And then has the audacity to pick up the plot (Where essentially the movie starts at about 50%) and say okay here's the actual plot now have fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault
xavz_'s review
1.0
boy howdy was this book gross and also bad. completely unnecessary intersexphobia and like WAY too much rape. the parts where i wasn't mad i was sooo bored. i should have dnf'd at the beginning of the book (even before ryuji was introduced and asakawa really said i can excuse SERIAL RAPE but i draw the line at making noises when you chew. absolutely bonkers.) but alas i continued and that was a mistake. no reason this book had to be doin all of that. nasty.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Sexism, Misogyny, and Sexual violence
loganreadshorror's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Ryuji gave me the ick big time. Asakawa is also grotesquely spineless for overlooking Ryuji’s confession about being a serial rapist . Despite the sexism, transphobia, and general disgust I felt towards the characters, it was a really good read, imo. Suzuki’s writing style is interesting and while some of the content is offensive, the idea is interesting and well-executed enough to keep me reading through my digust. After reading Spiral, you’ll definitely see further why Suzuki makes you hate Ryuji so throughly in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Transphobia
judassilver's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Misogyny, Murder, and Transphobia
Moderate: Death, Alcoholism, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic
akira_outofthegravity's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I saw the film (Ringu) recently and really enjoyed it, so I decided to finally get around to reading this.
Much like the film it’s a slow burn that gradually speeds up towards the end. I prefer the book purely because it goes more in depth about Sadako and her reasons for becoming an Onryo, but I prefer the movies version of Asakawa.
That being said This Asakawa is a really compelling protagonist. Despite everything he really cares about his family.
There were various elements that made me uncomfy, such as Asakawa’s attitude towards intersexuality, and generally the way women are portrayed, however I wonder if (for the time) it may have been considered progressive? I don’t know, I think it’d be interesting to research and I like how the story has evolved over the time.
A solid read!
Much like the film it’s a slow burn that gradually speeds up towards the end. I prefer the book purely because it goes more in depth about Sadako and her reasons for becoming an Onryo, but I prefer the movies version of Asakawa.
That being said This Asakawa is a really compelling protagonist. Despite everything he really cares about his family.
There were various elements that made me uncomfy, such as Asakawa’s attitude towards intersexuality, and generally the way women are portrayed, however I wonder if (for the time) it may have been considered progressive? I don’t know, I think it’d be interesting to research and I like how the story has evolved over the time.
A solid read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Rape, Transphobia, Death, Body horror, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Grief, and Body shaming
Minor: Vomit, Violence, and Sexism
emmiebee's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
To hit on some of the questions asked. It's lack of diversity being a Japanese book is more or less to be expected it's more that every single person who played a real role in helping move the plot forward was a guy. The women were few and far between and were either character development, obstacles, or motivation.
Very early on in the story we're introduced to MC#2 or main support and he's introduced to us as the guy who broke into a girl's house and raped her. Wtf!? Our MC doesn't like this about him but chooses to remain his friend for decades later. Ok. (It's so the author can justify him seeing the tape) how dark he is is brought up multiple times and supposedly the key to realizing what actually happened to our dead girl. (The use of the word supposedly is explained in the spoiler section). The MC isn't a great person either the only time he expressed any positive emotions for his family was when their lives were at risk. I read this having not read the reviews because a "friend" said it was so good, hah. Seriously don't read the spoiler if you plan on reading the book. There's nothing interesting about this once the why of it all is revealed. It doesn't even do the suspense thing well. I would've been *slightly* more invested if they had added a little something to it like the closer they came to the day the more they were feeling watched, or seeing shadows out of the corner of their eyes, or really anything other than the MC reminding us how many days are between him and a week.
Very early on in the story we're introduced to MC#2 or main support and he's introduced to us as the guy who broke into a girl's house and raped her. Wtf!? Our MC doesn't like this about him but chooses to remain his friend for decades later. Ok. (It's so the author can justify him seeing the tape) how dark he is is brought up multiple times and supposedly the key to realizing what actually happened to our dead girl. (The use of the word supposedly is explained in the spoiler section). The MC isn't a great person either the only time he expressed any positive emotions for his family was when their lives were at risk. I read this having not read the reviews because a "friend" said it was so good, hah. Seriously don't read the spoiler if you plan on reading the book. There's nothing interesting about this once the why of it all is revealed. It doesn't even do the suspense thing well. I would've been *slightly* more invested if they had added a little something to it like the closer they came to the day the more they were feeling watched, or seeing shadows out of the corner of their eyes, or really anything other than the MC reminding us how many days are between him and a week.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Murder, and Rape
Minor: Rape, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
magalis's review against another edition
slow-paced
1.5
Not my strongest October read. I have to admit, I didn't actually intend to read this one this year. I had put what I thought was the Japanese movie version on hold at the library, but what came in was the book instead (my bad! You'd think I'd be able to navigate a library catalog, but apparently not). I figured since I didn't have a definite October book this year anyway, I might as well just read this one!
The story itself could have been really good, but the pacing is incredibly slow. It's more of a mystery than a horror novel, which I wasn't really expecting. You would think that since the majority of the book takes place in just a week that things would move along fairly quickly, but I didn't feel like that was the case at all. This could have been a translation issue I suppose, but it made it feel like a chore to pick this up and read it.
I also didn't find the two main protagonists to be sympathetic or likeable at all. Asakawa started out alright, but was just incredibly mean to/about his wife and daughter, and then was transphobic and a rape apologist. Ryuji was literally a rapist who told Asakawa about the women he raped and clearly showed no remorse. I honestly didn't care if either of them survived until the end. The majority of the mystery-solving was also just Asakawa following a gut instinct that turns out to be right, not a lot of legitimate detective-work.
I don't regret having read this, but I don't have much of an interest in continuing this series or reading more by the author.
The story itself could have been really good, but the pacing is incredibly slow. It's more of a mystery than a horror novel, which I wasn't really expecting. You would think that since the majority of the book takes place in just a week that things would move along fairly quickly, but I didn't feel like that was the case at all. This could have been a translation issue I suppose, but it made it feel like a chore to pick this up and read it.
I also didn't find the two main protagonists to be sympathetic or likeable at all. Asakawa started out alright, but was just incredibly mean to/about his wife and daughter, and then was transphobic and a rape apologist. Ryuji was literally a rapist who told Asakawa about the women he raped and clearly showed no remorse. I honestly didn't care if either of them survived until the end. The majority of the mystery-solving was also just Asakawa following a gut instinct that turns out to be right, not a lot of legitimate detective-work.
I don't regret having read this, but I don't have much of an interest in continuing this series or reading more by the author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Transphobia, and Rape
shaziareads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Murder, Death, and Sexism
ivy123's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Ok, so I have so many thoughts about this no idea how I will get them all out for my book club or be happy with any one rating.
Firstly I want to say I have seen the movies but a long time ago so all I really remembered was a girl is assaulted and killed, thrown down a well, and coming back for vengeance with a videotape. With that limited information, it felt like discovering the story all over again while reading the book.
So getting down to what I liked about this book.
- I liked the mystery of the novel, following around the main characters and his sidekick as they followed clues to find out how to avoid death around Japan was very interesting.
- the writing style worked really well for me as well. Sometimes with translated works, things are lost in translation but I found for me it was perfect.
- the utilization of technology as something to be afraid of and the hints at the spreading of the media being like disease were also things I think we can find relevant in today's society even with a more dated medium like VCR.
SPOILER
However, there were a lot of things I also didn't like or wanted more of.
- For a start, I wanted more of the supernatural aspects to this novel. I wanted more appearances by the spirit even if just to remind the main characters of their impending doom or a scene of her exiting the TV like in the movie.
- The main character and his sidekick were also unlikeable, however, I feel like that was the intention of the author. They were both misogynistic to the point I wanted them both to die and only wanted the main character to stay alive for his family's sake not because of him. Also, the way the main character is still friends with his friend who likes to talk about how he raped women was hard to swallow and the attempt at a small redemption at the end did not seem justified in relieving him of his personality.
- Lastly, the way in which sexual assault is discussed in the book was tough for me to read. As someone who does not like reading this in books, I thought I could deal with this as I assumed it would be a brief mention and the actions labeled as reprehensible. However the way, it was almost brushed under the carpet as something that happens did not sit well with me. At one point one of the characters even suggests a woman wanted to be raped so she did not die a virgin before backtracking this as unlikely. Even when they find the person who assaulted and murdered the girl in the well no justice is had it just moves on to the next clue. I understand this is a reflection on the way the characters think about women as written they are not meant to be likable but I still struggled with this as I feel if you were not able to figure this out the novel could be sending some very unhelpful messages.
In regards to a lot of the twists in this novel, I would say half had good pay off and half were unnecessary. Why did we really need the medical twist with Sadako and Ryugi's plot twist after his death was not enough to redeem him or excuse his behavior. So in conclusion really liked this book but also really did not at the same time. I am considering reading the other books in the series as I do wonder what would happen next with the tape spreading but I do feel this can be read as a stand-alone and you would not be missing out on not continuing.
Firstly I want to say I have seen the movies but a long time ago so all I really remembered was a girl is assaulted and killed, thrown down a well, and coming back for vengeance with a videotape. With that limited information, it felt like discovering the story all over again while reading the book.
So getting down to what I liked about this book.
- I liked the mystery of the novel, following around the main characters and his sidekick as they followed clues to find out how to avoid death around Japan was very interesting.
- the writing style worked really well for me as well. Sometimes with translated works, things are lost in translation but I found for me it was perfect.
- the utilization of technology as something to be afraid of and the hints at the spreading of the media being like disease were also things I think we can find relevant in today's society even with a more dated medium like VCR.
SPOILER
However, there were a lot of things I also didn't like or wanted more of.
- For a start, I wanted more of the supernatural aspects to this novel. I wanted more appearances by the spirit even if just to remind the main characters of their impending doom or a scene of her exiting the TV like in the movie.
- The main character and his sidekick were also unlikeable, however, I feel like that was the intention of the author. They were both misogynistic to the point I wanted them both to die and only wanted the main character to stay alive for his family's sake not because of him. Also, the way the main character is still friends with his friend who likes to talk about how he raped women was hard to swallow and the attempt at a small redemption at the end did not seem justified in relieving him of his personality.
- Lastly, the way in which sexual assault is discussed in the book was tough for me to read. As someone who does not like reading this in books, I thought I could deal with this as I assumed it would be a brief mention and the actions labeled as reprehensible. However the way, it was almost brushed under the carpet as something that happens did not sit well with me. At one point one of the characters even suggests a woman wanted to be raped so she did not die a virgin before backtracking this as unlikely. Even when they find the person who assaulted and murdered the girl in the well no justice is had it just moves on to the next clue. I understand this is a reflection on the way the characters think about women as written they are not meant to be likable but I still struggled with this as I feel if you were not able to figure this out the novel could be sending some very unhelpful messages.
In regards to a lot of the twists in this novel, I would say half had good pay off and half were unnecessary. Why did we really need the medical twist with Sadako and Ryugi's plot twist after his death was not enough to redeem him or excuse his behavior. So in conclusion really liked this book but also really did not at the same time. I am considering reading the other books in the series as I do wonder what would happen next with the tape spreading but I do feel this can be read as a stand-alone and you would not be missing out on not continuing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Death, Misogyny, Murder, Rape, and Sexism
Minor: Suicide, Confinement, and Medical content
zeph_yr's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexism, and Suicide
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