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Audition
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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 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 'A haunting Japanese version of a David Lynch nightmare' Guardian
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
Format: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.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
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.
Format:Paperback
I'd already seen the film but saw this at the library and had to give it a try.
At 200 pages it is short and visceral - it could have been twice as long and worked even better with further character development.
My recommendation is to read the book and then watch the film. The torture seen in the movie is harrowing and makes the equivalent here a little tame by comparison. Overall though a great, orginal and twisted story!
At 200 pages it is short and visceral - it could have been twice as long and worked even better with further character development.
My recommendation is to read the book and then watch the film. The torture seen in the movie is harrowing and makes the equivalent here a little tame by comparison. Overall though a great, orginal and twisted story!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Ryu Murakami again
If you've read other Ryu Murakami books then this one won't disappoint. Conversely, it probably won't impress either. An entertaining and gripping read nonetheless.
Published 18 months ago by Jess
Excellent suspense horror novel for lovers of the genre
'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... Read more
Published 18 months ago by ruthie_uk2001
Too little of interest happening.
The problem with Audition is that very little of interest is happening in 90% of the book. It is filled with the main character, Aoyama, wondering whether he should get married... Read more
Published 23 months ago by A. P. J. Jansen
Fugu Woman
There is an old expression in Japan such that "I want to eat fugu, but I don't want to die". Fugu is blow-fish, and if improperly prepared, it can be deadly. Read more
Published on 5 May 2010 by Aldo Matteucci
Murakami = brilliant
I love Ryu Murakami's stories. I first had the pleasure after discovering In the Miso Soup a few years back. I was utterly amazed at the crazy world I had just stepped into. Read more
Published on 15 Oct 2009 by S. Taylor
Murakami plays the psychological game again
This is my 3rd Murakami after reading 'In the miso soup' and 'Piercing'.
Based on the fact that he is one of my best authors and the reviews for the horror movie based on the... Read more
Based on the fact that he is one of my best authors and the reviews for the horror movie based on the... Read more
Published on 5 Jun 2009 by Freddy
dire
what a disappointment. i have read miso soup by murakami and was spell bound by the mirky and dangerous atsmosphere he created in this novel. Read more
Published on 28 May 2009 by anonymous
Great read
It does take a little while to get to the point of the story but once you're there, your mind get in a new world of suspicion and suspense, and you're right to feel that way. Read more
Published on 21 May 2009 by Jordan Thomas
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