A review by wanderlustsleeping
Six Four by Hideo Yokoyama

2.0

2.5 Stars

My most disappointing read of 2019. Maybe of even the last couple of years.

I've tried to read this book on and off for a few years now. The first 100 pages are a confusing mess, throwing a billion names at the reader and a billion positions within the police force and press media hierarchy, but with no clear explanation of how all these people and positions fit together. Things pick up 100 pages in but each place that's supposed to feel like a step forward in this thriller has a lackluster landing. The "thriller" and "crime" part of the story never lived up to the enormously long wait. The first 95% of the the book is about the inner workings and politics of the police force and media press. A snoozefest, and not worth the label of a thriller. The answers we receive to the mystery, while I admit interesting, seem far fetched, and like I said before, does not live up to the enormously long wait.

The main character got on my nerves so many times, and every moment his character supposedly grew or transformed, felt like something I couldn't grasp, because he never seemed like a character whose form could be seen. Regarding everyone else, I genuinely didn't care for anybody.

I teared up once near the end because objectively what certain characters are going through are tragedies no one should have to deal with, but the crimes, most character's stories, and their presentation left me with an "I don't care" attitude most of the time. Genuinely, would not recommend.