naimfrewat's review against another edition
2.0
The book is interesting, but it failed to set itself apart from the mainstream... I don't quite see why it was awarded the Grand Prix
nemra's review
4.0
it's about loneliness of modern life. Enjoyed it with some reservations about the final pages.
clairewords's review
4.0
Shimura Kobo lives alone in a quiet suburban street, by day he works as a meteorologist; he rarely socialises with his colleagues, nor does he see family much, his life causes fewer ripples in Nagasaki than the weather he forecasts for it.
Recently there have been a few barely detectable disturbances to his inanimate way of living. A container of fruit juice seems to have lost a few centimetres, and isn't there one yoghurt pot less than was there this morning? He begins to take extra care securing his home, yet still has the feeling of something not being quite right.
He sets up a webcam in his home and sits at work watching his kitchen as if studying the meteorological charts, waiting to detect any sign of disturbance.
It is a brief story where the revelation comes early, its slow residual effect only beginning in the aftermath. About halfway the narrative shifts, adding to the mystery of how the revelation impacts Shimura, as we no longer have access to his thoughts.
That it is based on a true story is enough to haunt the reader, but the way Eric Faye narrates it, contributes to the way this story inhabits the mind as we read. Like the best stories, it stays with you long after reading and invites discussion with others about how such a thing could happen in our society.
And it will make you check your door locks more carefully.
"There comes a time when nothing happens any more. The ribbon of destiny, stretched too wide, has snapped. There's no more. The shockwave caused by your birth is far, oh so far, behind you now. That is modern life. Your existence spans the distance between failure and success. Between frost and the rising of sap."
Recently there have been a few barely detectable disturbances to his inanimate way of living. A container of fruit juice seems to have lost a few centimetres, and isn't there one yoghurt pot less than was there this morning? He begins to take extra care securing his home, yet still has the feeling of something not being quite right.
He sets up a webcam in his home and sits at work watching his kitchen as if studying the meteorological charts, waiting to detect any sign of disturbance.
It is a brief story where the revelation comes early, its slow residual effect only beginning in the aftermath. About halfway the narrative shifts, adding to the mystery of how the revelation impacts Shimura, as we no longer have access to his thoughts.
That it is based on a true story is enough to haunt the reader, but the way Eric Faye narrates it, contributes to the way this story inhabits the mind as we read. Like the best stories, it stays with you long after reading and invites discussion with others about how such a thing could happen in our society.
And it will make you check your door locks more carefully.
vzrivera's review
4.0
This is based on a true story that occurred in Fukuoka Japan. It's so creepy I couldn't believe it was true. But strange things do happen.
missmesmerized's review
5.0
Something strange is going on in Shimura Kobo’s house. He senses that somebody must be moving around the premises while he is absent. To catch the intruder he installs surveillance cameras and indeed a woman shows up using his kitchen, helping herself to one of his yoghurts and moving around like she lives there. The police are called and the woman arrested. She had installed herself in the spare room, hidden for quite some time. Shimura should be happy to be rid of this person, but instead he feels that now something is missing.
A very special novel set in a foreign environment. Very interestingly drawn is the protagonist’s psychological development. Rather isolated from the outer world and his colleagues, he starts feeling another being when the one next to him is gone. Surprisingly the perspective shifts and we get the account of the woman. This is the moment where Eric Faye attacks the economy and its dire conditions for human beings. Apart from the very compelling portrayal of the psychological development, this very critical account of how quickly one might lose everything in life is not only very convincing but also makes you think about the world we live in.
A very special novel set in a foreign environment. Very interestingly drawn is the protagonist’s psychological development. Rather isolated from the outer world and his colleagues, he starts feeling another being when the one next to him is gone. Surprisingly the perspective shifts and we get the account of the woman. This is the moment where Eric Faye attacks the economy and its dire conditions for human beings. Apart from the very compelling portrayal of the psychological development, this very critical account of how quickly one might lose everything in life is not only very convincing but also makes you think about the world we live in.
lantis's review
4.0
I obtained a copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaways and in the spirit of that I am writing this review.
When I received this book I was surprised about how short it was. I am still surprised by this. I feel the story, in itself, was so interesting that the author could have written a much longer book, delved into so much more.
Instead we get a letter from the nameless 'house guest', unburdening herself and apologising for her actions. To me it felt a little cut off, as though it suddenly hit a dead end. I did however like the fact that she was never given a name, it served to amplify Shimura's loneliness, he had no connection to this woman who knew him so well.
What threw me a little was that the book didn't necessarily -feel- very Japanese to me. Though the setting was in Nagasaki and the objects and surroundings suitably described I felt that the story might have been taking place anywhere in the world. Loneliness and isolation are feelings that have no boundaries but somehow for me personally the mindset I tend to associate with book about Japan seemed to be lacking.
Whilst I don't usually like first person I found I wasn't bothered overly by it in Nagasaki, both characters had quiet, understated thoughts that didn't seem jarring to me.
What I did enjoy was the portray of society and how we can become trapped in our own thoughts and loneliness and just trying to be 'ok' without ever really sitting down to think about why we live in the ways we do and how it might affect us in the grand scheme of things.
I also enjoyed the cover art which makes this book very attractive.
Overall I would give this book a 3.5 out of 5 - an enjoyable read which will make you think and re-evaluate things.
When I received this book I was surprised about how short it was. I am still surprised by this. I feel the story, in itself, was so interesting that the author could have written a much longer book, delved into so much more.
Spoiler
I found myself longing for a resolution that never entirely came. Perhaps that's because I'm a romantic at heart and rather hoped that Shimura might find a little happiness.Instead we get a letter from the nameless 'house guest', unburdening herself and apologising for her actions. To me it felt a little cut off, as though it suddenly hit a dead end. I did however like the fact that she was never given a name, it served to amplify Shimura's loneliness, he had no connection to this woman who knew him so well.
What threw me a little was that the book didn't necessarily -feel- very Japanese to me. Though the setting was in Nagasaki and the objects and surroundings suitably described I felt that the story might have been taking place anywhere in the world. Loneliness and isolation are feelings that have no boundaries but somehow for me personally the mindset I tend to associate with book about Japan seemed to be lacking.
Whilst I don't usually like first person I found I wasn't bothered overly by it in Nagasaki, both characters had quiet, understated thoughts that didn't seem jarring to me.
What I did enjoy was the portray of society and how we can become trapped in our own thoughts and loneliness and just trying to be 'ok' without ever really sitting down to think about why we live in the ways we do and how it might affect us in the grand scheme of things.
I also enjoyed the cover art which makes this book very attractive.
Overall I would give this book a 3.5 out of 5 - an enjoyable read which will make you think and re-evaluate things.
noonhe's review against another edition
3.0
مرد تنهایی ساکن شهر ناگازاکی، که کارمند اداره هواشناسیه، متوجه یه سری تغییرات و کم شدن توی مواد غذایی خونه ش میشه و میخواد بفهمه کی به خونه ش رفت و آمد داره ...
یه ماجرای واقعی بوده!
کتاب کم حجمه و داستان جالبی هم داره.
یه ماجرای واقعی بوده!
کتاب کم حجمه و داستان جالبی هم داره.