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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
mysterious
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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The way that the mystery unfolded or dictated was not particularly graceful and while i appreciated the setting and backdrop of the war, everything else lacked any sort of weight
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I ran to get this book after I finished The Honjin Murders and, even if I didn’t think it was as good, it was a good read.
It’s a bit slow for my liking, although I do enjoy the contrast with western books of the same genre. Definitely did not see the end coming.
This one might only be a 3.5 read for me, but I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the books.
It’s a bit slow for my liking, although I do enjoy the contrast with western books of the same genre. Definitely did not see the end coming.
This one might only be a 3.5 read for me, but I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the books.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Bajo la apariencia de un best-seller sencillo, esta novela nos acerca distintos aspectos de la cultura japonesa de una forma muy original. El férreo código de honor de los samuráis, las diferencias entre la gente de uchi (dentro) y soto (fuera)... Interesante y ameno.
Oh my gosh! This was such a good book! I can see why Yokomizo is compared to Christie and Doyle as a Master of Mystery. The translation I read was very good and I didn't feel anything was lacking in it. I will admit that I had to take to Google to look up some of the Japanese clothing and items which were mentioned. I recommend doing that to any readers out there, it enhances the experience.
Kosuke Kindaichi is a private investigator who comes to Gokumon Island after being repatriated back to Japan after the end of World War II. He is carrying out the dying wish of a brother in arms, to deliver news of his death to his family. Little does he realize what awaits him. Gokumon is a very small island in the Sato Inland Sea of Japan. The livelihood of the island is fishing. It's a tough little island and the residents are very tightly-knit, looking warily at strangers like Kosuke. It makes it difficult to investigate the murders to come.
There is a very long list of characters in this book, but after a while you get to know them all and can tell the difference between who is who. The plot is diabolical and Yokomizo is very good with classic foreshadowing (a device often overlooked by writers of that time period) and building suspense with elements of setting and atmosphere. The writing is quite beautiful, which makes the deaths that much more surprising. There's not just one 'red herring' in this book, there's a WHOLE SCHOOL of them!
One of things I found most interesting about this book was that it was written 1947-48 by a Japanese man, living in Japan, and the book is a Contemporary novel. So he's depicting what it was like in post-WWII Japan, after the surrender, in a 'boots on the ground' account. To many Japanese men, they really didn't know what they were fighting for. They were simply following the commands of their Emperor. So coming home for many was just a relief. It's not really dwelled on, life just went back to some semblance of normal.
I'm very glad Yokomizo's works are being translated into English. Only 5 of the 77 books have been translated, so there is a lot to look forward to.
Kosuke Kindaichi is a private investigator who comes to Gokumon Island after being repatriated back to Japan after the end of World War II. He is carrying out the dying wish of a brother in arms, to deliver news of his death to his family. Little does he realize what awaits him. Gokumon is a very small island in the Sato Inland Sea of Japan. The livelihood of the island is fishing. It's a tough little island and the residents are very tightly-knit, looking warily at strangers like Kosuke. It makes it difficult to investigate the murders to come.
There is a very long list of characters in this book, but after a while you get to know them all and can tell the difference between who is who. The plot is diabolical and Yokomizo is very good with classic foreshadowing (a device often overlooked by writers of that time period) and building suspense with elements of setting and atmosphere. The writing is quite beautiful, which makes the deaths that much more surprising. There's not just one 'red herring' in this book, there's a WHOLE SCHOOL of them!
One of things I found most interesting about this book was that it was written 1947-48 by a Japanese man, living in Japan, and the book is a Contemporary novel. So he's depicting what it was like in post-WWII Japan, after the surrender, in a 'boots on the ground' account. To many Japanese men, they really didn't know what they were fighting for. They were simply following the commands of their Emperor. So coming home for many was just a relief. It's not really dwelled on, life just went back to some semblance of normal.
I'm very glad Yokomizo's works are being translated into English. Only 5 of the 77 books have been translated, so there is a lot to look forward to.
If you're not reading Japanese locked island mysteries, what are you even doing?