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witchqueen5's review
4.0
This was quite an interesting story, showcasing the Japanese society and customs of the people while also exposing the consequences of bottling up things. The main character is in the beginning quite plain, a busy man entirely focused on his career path, but then as events unfold so does his personality. I think what I enjoyed the most was the suspense created from his schemes and the way the plot ended - simple and just.
quokkaboba's review
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bbb__'s review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
birdwrong's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book definitely subverted my expectations built up in the first half. I thought that the mystery was all going to just be something the protagonist had imagined!
In the end it was a pretty harrowing study into how a person can fall to their paranoia and obsessions.
I went into reading this book almost 100% blind, so I wasn't quite prepared for how seriously dark the story gets. But I enjoyed the general tone of the writing and pacing. There's something about the protagonist's devotion to his work above all else that reminded me a bit of 'The Remains of the Day's, which I enjoyed very much.
In the end it was a pretty harrowing study into how a person can fall to their paranoia and obsessions.
I went into reading this book almost 100% blind, so I wasn't quite prepared for how seriously dark the story gets. But I enjoyed the general tone of the writing and pacing. There's something about the protagonist's devotion to his work above all else that reminded me a bit of 'The Remains of the Day's, which I enjoyed very much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
noeliamollet's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
skys's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This was a drag. It was boring. The ultimate downfall of Asai was very slightly different but not enough to rescue the story. Spent 40% waiting for something to happen. Then it was bogged down by internal dialogue. Also, way too much explaining throughout.
smsr's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sanmeow's review
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
i had high hopes, unfortunately. since this is labeled a mystery, i thought that i surely wouldn't predict the 'twist' instantly. but i did. and it's not just me, i truly think a lot of people would. that just took away from the story massively, along with the fact that the main character is surprisingly boring. some good commentary on society and its norms. i do like the writing style, but i don't think it really fits the whole mystery / psychological thriller genre. the reason why i liked it is the fact that i knew the twist right away so there was no mystery for me anyway. i would perhaps read more from the author, but not this genre.