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whatsshwereading's Reviews (740)
What a weird and confusing book, this one. The synopsis held such promise of intrigue but the book disappoints. The most annoying thing for me was the prose. Third person, present tense ("Nella returns home and rushes upstairs to the cabinet." and "Cornelia dances around Johannes, having to be two servants.") No idea people wrote this way as well!
Next annoying thing, the characters. None of them are likeable and Nella's love for her husband inexplicable (seriously he does nothing, absolutely nothing to deserve the kind of devotion Nella lavishes upon him)
And finally the Cabinet and the miniaturist. What was the whole point? The story could've done without them. But then, the author would perhaps not have been able to give such a compelling title to the book eh?
I thought I was going to read a mystery a la Maurier's Rebecca instead I read a book that's at best a random, incoherent collection of chapters written in an annoying prose.No rating for this one!
Next annoying thing, the characters. None of them are likeable and Nella's love for her husband inexplicable (seriously he does nothing, absolutely nothing to deserve the kind of devotion Nella lavishes upon him)
And finally the Cabinet and the miniaturist. What was the whole point? The story could've done without them. But then, the author would perhaps not have been able to give such a compelling title to the book eh?
I thought I was going to read a mystery a la Maurier's Rebecca instead I read a book that's at best a random, incoherent collection of chapters written in an annoying prose.No rating for this one!
The very first line in the book says "he didn't see it coming. At all." Well, neither do we. This is the third book of Higashino's that I've read - a gothic mystery in his signature style and as usual it managed to shoot all my theories to hell!!!
When I read the synopsis, I thought I'd be reading some seriously dark stuff and prepared myself for a creepfest (I actually thought the book would give me nightmares)But it turns out that it is more drama than horror. What's most surprising is how easily the lead characters accept the strange paranormal turn their lives take (but then, hey Japanese fiction)
Once you get over light treatment of such a disturbing subject, the story keeps you engrossed. Some scenes actually contributed to the "ick" factor, while some were simply amusing. And yes, the ending is a classic Higashino. Knocks you for a six.
All in all, it makes for a good lazy weekend/vacation read. Definitely a must for Higashino fans.
PS: I gave a 3-start rating simply because the book wasn't as scary as I wanted it to be!
When I read the synopsis, I thought I'd be reading some seriously dark stuff and prepared myself for a creepfest (I actually thought the book would give me nightmares)But it turns out that it is more drama than horror. What's most surprising is how easily the lead characters accept the strange paranormal turn their lives take (but then, hey Japanese fiction)
Once you get over light treatment of such a disturbing subject, the story keeps you engrossed. Some scenes actually contributed to the "ick" factor, while some were simply amusing. And yes, the ending is a classic Higashino. Knocks you for a six.
All in all, it makes for a good lazy weekend/vacation read. Definitely a must for Higashino fans.
PS: I gave a 3-start rating simply because the book wasn't as scary as I wanted it to be!
And he does it again.
This was my fourth Higashino book and I was still unable to crack the mystery.
So, what's all the fuss about? Well, there was a murder. We know who did. But we don't know how it was done! As the book progresses, you realise you are nowhere close to even guessing how it was done. This is Higashino at his best. Every page is taut with suspense. Few characters, simple prose.
The fact that the detectives (Kusanagi & Utsumi) refused to see what was beneath their noses was quite annoying at times. But well, they do finally come through and are of some use to the plot. It is the brilliant Professor Yukawa who cracks the case though (Is it me or does Yukawa seem like a japanese version of Sherlock? Rude, arrogant, very little tolerance for ineptitude?)
Its trivial annoyances and simple prose notwithstanding, this is a simply (pun intended) fun read.
If you think nail-biting, edge-of-the-seat, murder-inducing curiosity thriller is your preferred genre, don't miss Salvation of a Saint!!
This was my fourth Higashino book and I was still unable to crack the mystery.
So, what's all the fuss about? Well, there was a murder. We know who did. But we don't know how it was done! As the book progresses, you realise you are nowhere close to even guessing how it was done. This is Higashino at his best. Every page is taut with suspense. Few characters, simple prose.
The fact that the detectives (Kusanagi & Utsumi) refused to see what was beneath their noses was quite annoying at times. But well, they do finally come through and are of some use to the plot. It is the brilliant Professor Yukawa who cracks the case though (Is it me or does Yukawa seem like a japanese version of Sherlock? Rude, arrogant, very little tolerance for ineptitude?)
Its trivial annoyances and simple prose notwithstanding, this is a simply (pun intended) fun read.
If you think nail-biting, edge-of-the-seat, murder-inducing curiosity thriller is your preferred genre, don't miss Salvation of a Saint!!
