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emmiebee's review
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.
Moderate: Sexual violence, Murder, and Rape
Minor: Rape, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
kylenestrella's review
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Graphic: Rape and Transphobia
hanner1210's review
dark
mysterious
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? No
3.0
Ignoring the main character and his side kick, its a decent book. Definitely not as scary as the American version of the movie, but a good mystery, especially if you haven't seen/don't know the movie.
Minor: Rape
There are a couple mentions of it, but it is not explicit.emilyyjjean's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
5.0
Fantastic! I really loved the movie The Ring, and never knew it was based off of this book. The book is even better than the movie!
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Suicide and Death of parent
lexxluthor's review
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Sexual assault, Confinement, Death, Rape, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Alcoholism and Terminal illness
augreading's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
I can’t rate this book. I enjoyed it for the entire run, but when I was done I was left conflicted. Spoilers incoming. One character is a rapist, and I read the book with the thought that it would surely tie into the themes and be resolved and it just never is. Yes it’s implied that he wasn’t actually a rapist and was lying but that doesn’t really explain why the main character is so cool with him while not knowing he’s lying. It’s hard to rate this as I’m reading a translation of a 30 year old book from a different culture so there is definitely symbolism I just missed due to not having context. So I can’t rate it and I can’t recommend it. My only advice is the watch the movie Ringu. It’s shorter,scarier and better.
Graphic: Rape
stevienielson's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
3.75
Graphic: Child death, Murder, Sexual violence, and Rape
Moderate: Medical content
kmolson29's review
dark
mysterious
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? No
3.75
Moderate: Death and Rape
flowtjo's review
medium-paced
1.0
It has some of the most egregious use of intersex characters, sexism and rape as plot features I've ever seen. It's not a bad translation job, a product of its time or cultural difference - the writer had a couple of good ideas and wrapped them up in his terrible views, badly defined characters and very limited knowledge of both the occult and science. A mildly interesting story that turned out to be such a nasty little book. So so disappointing.
Graphic: Rape, Suicide, and Transphobia
Starts off OK, but the latter half of the book is riddled with transphobia/anti-intersex speech, a lot of rape, and healthy doses of sexism against women throughout. Ye been warned.