Reviews tagging 'Injury/Injury detail'

Rings by Kōji Suzuki

6 reviews

mackenzienoelle's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

First and foremost HEAVY HEAVY SA TRIGGER WARNING. It was NOT handled well and was reoccurring throughout. Super uncomfortable in the worst way.
I almost DNF’d this one but I wanted to know what happened. Was it worth it? I don’t know, I don’t think so.
When this novel isn’t brutalizing and dehumanizing literally every woman in the story (the open contempt for women is so palpable throughout) it reads like GPS instructions. It felt like 80% of this book was just two deeply unlikable characters having annoying conversations in the car or on a boat. So so much detailed, dry description of transportation.
I didn’t enjoy the writing style, I felt the author took too many mid-scene tangents and constantly deflated the suspense. 
The best, spookiest part was the last like 3 pages which is soooooo annoying

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, Transphobia, and Murder

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Suicide

bhreaghmichelle's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Murder

Moderate: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Child death, Transphobia, and Pandemic/Epidemic

lostfoxtrail's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

There’s a good premise here but the explanation was a huge let down for me personally. Some problematic elements too, which decreased my reading enjoyment substantially. Probably wouldn’t recommend. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Violence, Murder, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

juliawren's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

There are definite tones of misogyny and seriously fucked up characters (please for the love of God check the content warnings), but that's what made this such an addicting read. I could hardly put it down.

Forget morally gray - this is on the same level as Lolita. Whether or not some of the themes and ideas being presented are the author's or just a downright alarming depiction of misogyny present in Japanese culture when this was written, you'll need to approach this story with some serious media literacy to understand that it is 100% a social and philosophical commentary, and you should not agree with all of the characters or their actions because that is the point. There will definitely be times where you won't agree with the author, too (at least I seriously hope not), but I lean towards the belief that his personal ideology (while still sexist and displaying substantial

victim-blaming

qualities that shouldn't be ignored) does not entirely align with these characters, especially given the ending (which, contrary to what many readers claim, does make perfect sense and has nothing to do with

Sadako wanting to have a literal child

- do y'all understand what a metaphor is??).

If you think the ending falls apart with the paranormal stuff, I'd recommend reading up on the Japanese concept of

curses,

as it differs considerably from American mythology/culture about ghosts. Weirdly, I'd also recommend Jujutsu Kaisen if you like anime or manga, since it gets into this concept and you can really understand how these kinds of

curses

are made.

That aside, the story was nearly as good as the American version (I didn't love the original as much but might give it another try after reading this). The mystery presented fit together perfectly by the end. Even having watched both movie versions and knowing the general plot / final twist, I felt the tension all the way through. This was a wonderfully chilling and terrifyingly disturbing read, and anyone who enjoyed the films and likes a good scare and can stomach horror, both real and paranormal, will enjoy it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Transphobia

Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Domestic abuse, Blood, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail

choco_bunbun's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence

Moderate: Misogyny and Blood

Minor: Cursing, Transphobia, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

judassilver's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Murder, and Alcohol

Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic