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platlinum's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
The author covers important themes of victim shaming, the structure that makes it hard to report these cases, speaking out, reclaiming one’s narrative, gaslighting, etc. I almost DNF the book multiple times because I was SO angry but the way the story unfolded and how the book came to be was SO necessary. I will think of the author’s story often. The translation is very seamless! I forgot I was reading a translated work until I saw Japan mentioned at times to remind the reader of the context.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual assault
Minor: Suicide
mushielei's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Shiori Ito’s memoir is beautifully translated and informative. Shiori Ito, on top of recalling her traumatic rape, educates about the Japanese legal system and her experience prosecuting her rapist. It’s emotionally raw and captivating. I read it in two days. Her words have sparked a movement against sexual assault in Japan and inspired countless women to stand up for themselves and fight against the stigma of sexual assault victims. This book is a riveting experience that I highly recommend for anyone interested in feminism, sexual assault and law and social issues concerning gender. Honestly, I think everyone should read this book. For those who may be sensitive to those topics, take caution, because Shiori Ito describes the circumstances and discloses a few graphic details of her rape.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
Minor: Suicide and Suicidal thoughts
churameru's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Misogyny
theecatreaders's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Drug use
futurama's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
5.0
I read this book in three hours. The whole time I was sweating and frustrated and sad and angry. Ito painstakingly details her assault in chronological order along with notes from the present day. It's an intense read but a necessary one. I still need more time to process. I do hope more of Ito's investigative work gets translated. Not only is this an expose on Japan's legal system and treatment of sexual assault in culture and law, it's also a fine work of investigative journalism. Ito mentions other projects she worked on in the book and hopefully we can read that as well.
Ito's case started and finished the entire time I lived in Japan and I remember seeing the original Japanese book selling out at bookstores. Thank you Shiori for your bravery.
On another note, the translation by Allison Markin Powell was seamless. Powell also translates Hiromi Kawakami's books (The Nakano Thrift Shop and others) amongst other themmy Japanese authors.
This is one of those rare books I think is a true 5/5
Ito's case started and finished the entire time I lived in Japan and I remember seeing the original Japanese book selling out at bookstores. Thank you Shiori for your bravery.
On another note, the translation by Allison Markin Powell was seamless. Powell also translates Hiromi Kawakami's books (The Nakano Thrift Shop and others) amongst other themmy Japanese authors.
This is one of those rare books I think is a true 5/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Violence, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Self harm, and Misogyny
heniaakbar's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
I cannot go around and about and start reviewing a book about someone's harrowing personal experience like this; I feel like I don't have the rights to do so. This book is a memoir, written by Shiori Ito herself, and that's her face on the cover.
It is powerful, with a fluid narration which can make you vividly imagine what Ito's been experiencing. I can't even begin to comprehend the courage to speak up to the world, the exhaust when everyone is seemingly against you. She even stated in her book that she considered to kill herself, but "not before I do everything I can do!". The spirit is admirable.
It's an important book to see that there are so many flaws in our judicial system and our law regarding sexual assault crimes; and how many victims are silenced by the higher power, to treat the cases as unimportant and to judge the victims for speaking up.
It is powerful, with a fluid narration which can make you vividly imagine what Ito's been experiencing. I can't even begin to comprehend the courage to speak up to the world, the exhaust when everyone is seemingly against you. She even stated in her book that she considered to kill herself, but "not before I do everything I can do!". The spirit is admirable.
It's an important book to see that there are so many flaws in our judicial system and our law regarding sexual assault crimes; and how many victims are silenced by the higher power, to treat the cases as unimportant and to judge the victims for speaking up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Drug use
eena's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
keegan_leech's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.75
In a word, Black Box is harrowing.
Ito is clearly an excellent journalist. Black Box is extremely specific in its scope and aims, and the book weaves its personal elements very effectively into more general facts about rape and sexual assault in Japan. The result is a book that's informative and direct yet simultaneously personal and deeply empathetic. It's this brilliance which makes for difficult reading.
Although it's barely longer than 200 pages, Black Box felt like it took me a very long time to read. This is entirely appropriate given that the book deals with the trauma of not just rape and assault, but the seemingly impassable barriers to legal retribution. It is impossible not to feel something of Ito's own fatigue and frustration in the writing.
I wouldn't recommend the book if you aren't prepared for an emotionally exhausting experience, but if you are in the right mindset for it, it's a powerful and immensely valuable read.
Ito is clearly an excellent journalist. Black Box is extremely specific in its scope and aims, and the book weaves its personal elements very effectively into more general facts about rape and sexual assault in Japan. The result is a book that's informative and direct yet simultaneously personal and deeply empathetic. It's this brilliance which makes for difficult reading.
Although it's barely longer than 200 pages, Black Box felt like it took me a very long time to read. This is entirely appropriate given that the book deals with the trauma of not just rape and assault, but the seemingly impassable barriers to legal retribution. It is impossible not to feel something of Ito's own fatigue and frustration in the writing.
I wouldn't recommend the book if you aren't prepared for an emotionally exhausting experience, but if you are in the right mindset for it, it's a powerful and immensely valuable read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicide
madrugada_dorada's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape