Scan barcode
rukmini's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Some other reviewers have complained that the non-yakuza stuff is boring, but I found all of it fascinating, especially the description of work culture in Japan.
I don’t think Adelstein’s attempt to do a Raymond Chandler / noir detective character voice is successful. It’s almost parodic in some places and it detracts from his credibility and the rest of the book. I honestly can’t judge if he’s making up or embroidering some of these stories, but I would assume that if they’ve been published in the WaPo and the LA Times, they’ve probably been vetted quite thoroughly.
I also can’t quite understand the hate in some of the reviews. Maybe it’s because of envy that he could do this job and speak such fluent Japanese (if his Japanese is good enough that the conversations recounted in the book actually went down the way he describes and he’s not glossing over a billion instances of asking for clarification or misunderstanding things)? Maybe it’s because (as Nick put it) he’s a bit of a prat? I really don’t know, but I do recommend the book.
I don’t think Adelstein’s attempt to do a Raymond Chandler / noir detective character voice is successful. It’s almost parodic in some places and it detracts from his credibility and the rest of the book. I honestly can’t judge if he’s making up or embroidering some of these stories, but I would assume that if they’ve been published in the WaPo and the LA Times, they’ve probably been vetted quite thoroughly.
I also can’t quite understand the hate in some of the reviews. Maybe it’s because of envy that he could do this job and speak such fluent Japanese (if his Japanese is good enough that the conversations recounted in the book actually went down the way he describes and he’s not glossing over a billion instances of asking for clarification or misunderstanding things)? Maybe it’s because (as Nick put it) he’s a bit of a prat? I really don’t know, but I do recommend the book.
msmo's review against another edition
4.0
It was easy to read this title; I did so with fascinated and voyeur-like attention.
martymakesgoodmovies's review against another edition
Half a star. A complete fabrication. If the dialogue and the perfect dramatic beats don’t raise any suspicions, than take a look at this Hollywood Reporter article. Contradicted by multiple people, Adelstein comes off as completely suss. Another Million Little Pieces situation. Do not read.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/tokyo-vice-problematic-source-material-1235135828/amp/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/tokyo-vice-problematic-source-material-1235135828/amp/
andrewhall's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating, pulpy story, told with noir-ish verve. He is not a great writer of English prose, but he tells an interesting story, and gets to the heart of many social problems in Japan in the 90s and 00s. He often portrays himself in a pretty poor light. Very enlightening and entertaining.
girlnouns's review against another edition
4.0
This book is about the Author's journey from college to covering various types of crime. Jake focuses his life as a journalist more so than certain cases, which I thought was very refreshing.
Some people say that Jake Adelstein is a psycho, but I think a lot of callousness comes from the Police not being fully effective against organized crime. This can be seen in People who Eat Darkness, a book on Lucie Blackman's murder, where the police only do their job with foreign pressure involved and also are not too concerned about sex workers.
Adelstein's push for more visibility for human trafficking in sex work is refreshing and I disagree with the people that think Jake Adelstein is some bumbling American idiot (even though he portrays him self that way). He did really good work as a journalist and puts his work over anything else, sacrificing his capacity to be a good partner and friend.
Some people say that Jake Adelstein is a psycho, but I think a lot of callousness comes from the Police not being fully effective against organized crime. This can be seen in People who Eat Darkness, a book on Lucie Blackman's murder, where the police only do their job with foreign pressure involved and also are not too concerned about sex workers.
Adelstein's push for more visibility for human trafficking in sex work is refreshing and I disagree with the people that think Jake Adelstein is some bumbling American idiot (even though he portrays him self that way). He did really good work as a journalist and puts his work over anything else, sacrificing his capacity to be a good partner and friend.
gigglesbanana's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting look into a side of Japan I never experienced, but often heard about. The yakuza influence is greater than I imagined!
abby_can_read's review against another edition
dark
informative
medium-paced
3.0
🎧
This was a good read. This book was about Adelstein and the sex industry in Tokyo.
This was a good read. This book was about Adelstein and the sex industry in Tokyo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Suicide
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Drug use