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laurathehobbit's review against another edition
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
mixigod's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
CW / Sexual Assault
A promising supernatural thriller mystery that starts with a bang - we meet Asakawa who is a neglectful husband and father to his wife and children due to being a complete workaholic as a reporter. He decides to investigate the mysterious death of his niece and uncovers the infamous tape. The horror imagery and vibe at this section of the novel is incredible, it's gripping and vivid. It is clear Suzuki has a very solid grasp on the horror of sensation, the wrongness of something and how much that can rattle someone.
But it is from here on out that the book begins to falter. The horror elements are abandoned completely in favour of unraveling the mystery of the tape within the deadline. The connections were interesting and easy to follow but the story began to be overshadowed by a very recurring and uncomfortable theme of sexual assault and misogyny that did not feel like an attempt to observe the horror in those as being linked to the central horror of the novel.
In fact, one of the leading characters is revealed to be a serial rapist early into the novel and the reaction of our protagonist to this character is largely... blasé? As well as the authors use of sexual assault as a common theme, it seems nearly every female character mentioned in the novel, which there aren't many by the way, are either assaulted or viewed in a majorly misogynistic light.
This lead to an uncomfortable read with no resolution to this element of the novel other than it being a tragic fact apparently. The story also alludes that the desire to commit assault is not that of volition but because of an evil influence?
Safe to say, one should divert to the film adaptations of this if you're looking for a resolute horror as the ending of this novel falls short - likely setting up for the sequel, but does not ultimately deliver on the trials experienced.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, and Sexual assault
tealightfultomes's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Transphobia, and Toxic friendship
lily_t_h's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Use of a character being intersex played for shock value and horrorsaxymisty's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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? N/A
1.0
ugh, shoulda DNF'd it tbh.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Transphobia
Moderate: Suicide and Vomit
Minor: Alcohol
shelbyshoe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Transphobia
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, and Suicide
Minor: Vomit and Death of parent
ammmiiiii's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Transphobia
evening_person's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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? Yes
3.0
One of the most achingly ‘90s pieces of media I have ever consumed. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone who is familiar with the existence of the film, whether or not they have seen it. I would recommend this book to someone who likes unsolvable mysteries and watching bad things happen to bad people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Transphobia, Medical trauma, and Alcohol
jdansereau'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
3.0
An interesting story partly ruined by the authors weird choices. Although its pretty common to have casual/random violence against women in books written by Japanese male authors so it tracks I guess. Also rest in piss Ryuji.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Blood
cheyenne_halud's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Murder