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greenbookworm's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dishwaterpossum's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book really dragged on for me. I loved her “Out” and was looking for something fun like that. The characters were nasty and the whining went on and on. Some of it held my interest but the last 20% was rough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Rape, and Sexual violence
aritrigupta's review
2.0
I have immense respect for Japanese literature, and for the writers. I hadn't read [a:Natsuo Kirino|14269|Natsuo Kirino|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1206555178p2/14269.jpg] before, but, with that blurb, I was expecting a dark, gritty thriller.
The author does explore complex themes through a rather spiteful narrator, with who, at times, you grudgingly agree with on her views. The impact of beauty on growing teenage girls is a very important and relevant topic that has been explored thoroughly here, and to some extent, it has been described truthfully. However, somehow in the midst of 500 pages the book lost its way - it became needless journals of prostitutes and their love/hate for sex. It did actually become quite grotesque, and retained no other element to it.
I had high hopes from this book, despite its rating, and its malicious unnamed narrator. There was intrigue, mystery, and darkness in the beginning, and it dwindled down to a rather meh!
The author does explore complex themes through a rather spiteful narrator, with who, at times, you grudgingly agree with on her views. The impact of beauty on growing teenage girls is a very important and relevant topic that has been explored thoroughly here, and to some extent, it has been described truthfully. However, somehow in the midst of 500 pages the book lost its way - it became needless journals of prostitutes and their love/hate for sex. It did actually become quite grotesque, and retained no other element to it.
I had high hopes from this book, despite its rating, and its malicious unnamed narrator. There was intrigue, mystery, and darkness in the beginning, and it dwindled down to a rather meh!
champers4days's review
1.0
The title of this book is telling: none of the characters are sympathetic and the story gets pretty dark pretty quickly. No one is good and everyone is self-interested, self-involved or self-destructive... I seriously considered not finishing it, although the ending was absolutely the best part!
syan22's review
2.0
had a lot of potential but it just didn't do it for me
none of the characters were likeable and they were all unreliable narrators.
interesting themes and social commentary, esp on the place of women in japanese society
none of the characters were likeable and they were all unreliable narrators.
interesting themes and social commentary, esp on the place of women in japanese society
lausbiana's review against another edition
4.0
la fórmula de natsuo kirino de poner a cuatro mujeres en el punto protagónico y luego un par de hombres que solo sirven para reafirmar la dicotomía mujer-hombre y la crítica del libro❤️
(descubrimiento del año)
(descubrimiento del año)
lausbiana's review
4.0
Cuando la gente ve a una mujer hermosa, esperan que sea perfecta; quieren que siga fuera de su alcance, creen que de esa forma resulta más adorable. De modo que, cuando se dan cuenta de que es ordinaria y tosca, su admiración se convierte en burla y su envidia se vuelve odio.
everie's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A gripping brick of a thriller! I love the narrator's awful, awful vibes (and four narrators of varying reliability to boot!) , what fun! Very dark though. I think puzzling out the main narrator carried me through the more yikes moments. All the TWs essentially
Kirino's deliberate, incisive prose made this dense book a quick read! Her villains and endings often leave a bit to be desired but the twist was a little fun here
Kirino's deliberate, incisive prose made this dense book a quick read! Her villains and endings often leave a bit to be desired but the twist was a little fun here
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia
andlovetoowillruinus's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Incest, Rape, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Infidelity, Trafficking, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Excrement