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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It wasn’t really creepy, maybe a bit eerie but it was very unique and creatively done. Easy to read. Although it was ridden with misogyny in how the characters spoke about and treated women, which perhaps was some of the point of the author? To expose those attitudes in Japan in the 90s? But I don’t know the author so can’t say for sure!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
I wasn't expecting to be as drawn into this book as I was, especially after spending some time with the protagonist, whom I personally never grew fond of.
Yet, somehow, the structure of the story and the path that our two main characters find themselves strung along kept me engaged. I felt the whirlwind nature of their investigation and the frantic mood created by a life-or-death deadline as they tried to solve the mystery before them and history behind them.
The writing itself is accessible without being overly impressive or impactful. I would probably give this book a 3.75 if not for the cultural impact it's had and the originality of its premise.
Yet, somehow, the structure of the story and the path that our two main characters find themselves strung along kept me engaged. I felt the whirlwind nature of their investigation and the frantic mood created by a life-or-death deadline as they tried to solve the mystery before them and history behind them.
The writing itself is accessible without being overly impressive or impactful. I would probably give this book a 3.75 if not for the cultural impact it's had and the originality of its premise.
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
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:
Complicated
Having seen both Ringu and the Ring I was looking forward to reading this book and I was not disappointed. The book had the creepy feel found in the movies but without the over-the-top-girl-crawling-out-of-the-tv moments. I much prefered the book to the movies as it gets you thinking about the characters and situation rather than trying to scare the pants of you.
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Took me ages to get around to reading this - like so many others it's been on my TBR shelf (my literal one at home) for the whole year but I only just picked it up in May. I had seen the Hollywood version of the movie at the cinemas back when it came out, and got the super heebie jeebies from that - in a good way, thought it was just the right kind of creepy! I haven't seen the Japanese version of the film but would love to someday.
As for the book, it was another easily digestible read, and also nice and creepy. Suzuki's descriptions at times had me feeling almost what the characters were feeling (thankfully not quite what they were feeling, at least the ones who died!), and the creep factor of the nature of Sadako's demise. I can't say that any one moment in the book was QUITE as scary as the moment in the Hollywood version of the film where we see the well and we see, well, you know...! But it was still a great read and I think Suzuki's a bit of a genius for coming up with a plot like this. I love it when authors have such rich imaginations! I did see some other reviewers mention that maybe having seen a film adaptation, the book was no longer quite as scary (i.e. the shock factor wasn't there), and possibly that's the case with me too.
Anyway, I've got SPIRAL to read next, look forward to seeing what goes on in that.
As for the book, it was another easily digestible read, and also nice and creepy. Suzuki's descriptions at times had me feeling almost what the characters were feeling (thankfully not quite what they were feeling, at least the ones who died!), and the creep factor of the nature of Sadako's demise. I can't say that any one moment in the book was QUITE as scary as the moment in the Hollywood version of the film where we see the well and we see, well, you know...! But it was still a great read and I think Suzuki's a bit of a genius for coming up with a plot like this. I love it when authors have such rich imaginations! I did see some other reviewers mention that maybe having seen a film adaptation, the book was no longer quite as scary (i.e. the shock factor wasn't there), and possibly that's the case with me too.
Anyway, I've got SPIRAL to read next, look forward to seeing what goes on in that.
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced