natasha29singh's review against another edition
3.0
Mixed feelings about this one. Beautiful writing, great job of building an eerie atmosphere, but it kind of leads to nothing. I think it’s better read as a ‘study’ of eccentric, even sinister people/characters than a thriller of any sort. Did make me curious to read [b:The Tale of Genji|7042|The Tale of Genji|Murasaki Shikibu|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1616514777l/7042._SX50_.jpg|2212225] though, and I enjoyed the allusions to feminine spirits.
kambei's review against another edition
4.0
But of a slow burner at the beginning, but things really start falling into place around the middle of the book. Takes a few dark corners and in the end, you’re surprised by the outcome. But, you shouldn’t have been. You were told what would happen, you just didn’t expect it, didn’t believe it, or didn’t want it.
flamingo_and_owl_books's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
alisynamant's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
bamairi's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
amandale's review against another edition
3.0
A woman's love is quick to turn into a passion for revenge--an obsession that becomes an endless river of blood, flowing on from generation to generation.
ellenlovre's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
skovbiblioteket's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
5.0
A shocking and gripping read, deliciously full of references to Heian literature
zmorgason's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Like the pale and delicate strands of a spider's web, Masks is an intricately beautiful psychological nightmare. Two men vie for the affections of a fairylike young girl, a sort of medium for her manipulative matriarch. The girl, Yasuko, is a puppet on her mother-in-law's string, and Tsuneo and Tokyoki, the two men smitten with her, are like the marionette's own appendages. Layers of deception and manipulation are skillfully unfolded—an ornate scheme made all the more horrifying by its simple effectiveness. For those who enjoy a twisted love stories and classic literature, this is a must read.
megannewsome's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Incredibly taxing story, the kind of story that is certainly well written and entrancing yet also infuriating and sickening that makes it hard to stomach at times. As far as honestly portraying the complex depth of womanhood and grief, it was phenomenal even if one doesn't attach themselves to the thesis of revenge. At the same time I sometimes found the author's self-insertion of literary analysis to be too on-the-nose at times. Altogether incredible style.