- Hardcover: 208 pages
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (5 Jan 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0747589488
- ISBN-13: 978-0747589488
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 13.4 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 361,525 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Audition
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Product Description
Review
'The prose in these passages is elegiac and affecting, but it has the sharp, visceral feel of the butcher's knife or surgeons scalpel a highly compulsive, one-sitting read, and Audition should add to the Renaissance Man's growing fanbase in the English speaking world' Irvine Welsh, Guardian 'Murakami has gained a reputation as a diagnostician of Japanese culture in the Bret Easton Ellis/Chuck Palahniuk mode for all his gory details, and his insistence that modern life is just one more movie, Murakami remains a romantic. Trauma and nostalgia may defeat each other, but there's always hope in the form of the next generation' Telegraph PRAISE FOR PIERCING 'There are echoes here of Edgar Allan Poe and Dostoevsky - Murakami shares their fascination with the darkest layer of the soul, and the appalling isolation of the criminal. Creepy and gripping' The Times 'The fame, or even notoriety, of Ryu Murakami lies in his ability to write tightly plotted, well-written tales of violence, seedy sex and horror combined with a vivid sense of the neon-slashed but oppressive atmosphere of the Tokyo street, all underpinned with a fashionable nihilism' Sunday Telegraph
Product Description
Documentary-maker Aoyama hasn't dated anyone in the seven years since the death of his beloved wife, Ryoko. Now even his teenage son Shige has suggested he think about remarrying. So when his best friend Yoshikawa comes up with a plan to hold fake film auditions so that Aoyama can choose a new bride, he decides to go along with the idea. Of the thousands who apply, Aoyama only has eyes for Yamasaki Asami, a young, beautiful, delicate and talented ballerina with a turbulent past. But there is more to her than Aoyama, blinded by his infatuation, can see, and by the time he discovers the terrifying truth it may be too late Ryu Murakami delivers his most subtle and disturbing novel yet, confirming him as Japan's master of the psycho-thriller.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Disturbing, but I liked it.,
This review is from: Audition (Hardcover)
I haven't read any other of Murakami's books, so I don't have any experience of his style or writing ability. From some of the other reviews here, this seems to be one of the weaker works in his canon.
That said, I liked it, and will certainly search out some of his better reviewed books. The Amazon product description kind of says it all in terms of plot. Though I might disagree with the comment that it was subtle, I wouldn't class this book as practically subtle, you know where it is going right from the start and it is fairly unapologetic about that. Neither was the characterisation amazingly subtle, but considering the book is only about 50,000 words, it was expertly handled. It's always difficult to comment on the writing style of a translated book. But I thought it very good, it was clear and precise, with enough embellished language to prove the writers skill, without detracting from the story. I would have loved to be able to read it in it's original language, but I get that feeling with every translated book. The violence I did find very strong, but I was expecting it and most of the book is a slow build up towards it, preparing the reader for it. If you are not in possession of a strong stomach, then maybe this is one to avoid. I have to say moments of it made me wince, but nothing wrong with that, it just shows the writer's skill. In the end I read it in two sittings, but only stopped the first session due to late night tiredness, otherwise this is certainly a book that could, and dare I say it, should be read in a single sitting.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Audition,
This review is from: Audition (Paperback)
Audition by Ryu Murakami is a novel at which any thriller/horror reader will love. Throughout the novel Murakami creates a scene at which anyone who has experienced a loss of something very dear to them can relate to while at the same time recreating his classic 'What will happen next' puzzle for the reader. The 4 main characters that the novel revolves around include Aoyama our widower and father to Shige, Shige a 15 year old high school kid and son of Aoyama, Yoshikawa one of Aoyama's closest friends and finally Yamasaki Asami our female main character. The story follows these 4 characters centring around Aoyama's loss of his wife Ryoko and how after a subtle hint from his son is convinced to remarry, where upon he formulates an idea with Yoshikawa and eventually meets Yamasaki Asami. Throughout the novel we hear of how Aoyama dealt with the loss of his wife including how he handled his career and the effects the death had on him and his sons relationship. As the novel progresses we learn more of Yamasaki Asami and how Aoyama's emotions lead him to develop a more intimate relationship with her. In short the novel is fantastic, it leaves you with a taste for more and in my own personal opinion teaches the reader some valuable lessons about love, friendship and loss.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent suspense horror novel for lovers of the genre,
By ruthie_uk2001 "ruthie_uk2001" (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Audition (Hardcover)
'Audition' begins innocently enough; a widower is encouraged by his son to find a new wife, one of his friends comes up with the idea of holding 'auditions' for them, under the pretence of a film that they never intend to shoot. When one woman in particular catches his attention things go from bad to worse, and worse to... even worse still! This novel is an excellent example of suspense horror because *everyone* except for the somewhat naive protagonist, is aware that something is 'off' - the tension builds rapidly throughout.
Murakami comments throughout on the horror instore, and when it comes to the novel's climax, he certainly doesn't disappoint. His characterisation and tension-building are superb. In some ways this isn't exactly an enjoyable read, but it is compelling. Not sure I am brave enough to watch the film version though!
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