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Review
"Vengefully mesmerizing. . . . Kirino turns an unerring eye toward the vicious razors of the adolescent female mind."
--"San Francisco Chronicle"
"Kirino helps us aficionados of crime fiction imagine the kind of novels James M. Cain might have written if he had been a Japanese feminist. . . . Emotionally harrowing."
--Maureen Corrigan, "Fresh Air" (NPR)
"A layered exploration of the human psyche, of the conflict inherent in need and desire, shame and humiliation. . . . A powerful study of people humbled at the altar of superficial values."
--"The Philadelphia Inquirer"
"Kirino provides an energized thrill ride as she also examines the sometimes-stifling stranglehold of Japan's social hierarchy, especially for women." --"Seattle Post-Intelligencer"
--"San Francisco Chronicle"
"Kirino helps us aficionados of crime fiction imagine the kind of novels James M. Cain might have written if he had been a Japanese feminist. . . . Emotionally harrowing."
--Maureen Corrigan, "Fresh Air" (NPR)
"A layered exploration of the human psyche, of the conflict inherent in need and desire, shame and humiliation. . . . A powerful study of people humbled at the altar of superficial values."
--"The Philadelphia Inquirer"
"Kirino provides an energized thrill ride as she also examines the sometimes-stifling stranglehold of Japan's social hierarchy, especially for women." --"Seattle Post-Intelligencer"
Independent on Sunday
`One of the great novels of 1940s Spain...Nada can now be enjoyed
in Edith Grossman's excellent new translation' --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
in Edith Grossman's excellent new translation' --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Anyone who has read my other reviews knows I'm not one to lavish praise on any old tripe. So trust me, this is the best book I've read all year.
As Kirino showed in Out, she has an ability to blend a basic crime-driven plot, with a literate and intelligent view of her own culture and society. In Grotesque, this is matched to acute observation about the nature of beauty, and how the eye of the beholder (and, more importantly, the beheld) impacts on our lives.
This is not a read for someone who enjoys a fast-paced thriller, or a police procedural, even though there are murders within it. It will reward those who want to take a ride in someone else's mind, no matter where that may take them. For once, the over-used description "dark and disturbing" is aposite.
A class act.
As Kirino showed in Out, she has an ability to blend a basic crime-driven plot, with a literate and intelligent view of her own culture and society. In Grotesque, this is matched to acute observation about the nature of beauty, and how the eye of the beholder (and, more importantly, the beheld) impacts on our lives.
This is not a read for someone who enjoys a fast-paced thriller, or a police procedural, even though there are murders within it. It will reward those who want to take a ride in someone else's mind, no matter where that may take them. For once, the over-used description "dark and disturbing" is aposite.
A class act.
23 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book really got under my skin. It is a dark, disturbing, often explicit tale of the need to be accepted in modern society and the pressures everyone faces in a class striken, layered society (here focusing on Japan).
It is divided into the journal entries of Yuriko (a beautiful woman whose meaning in life is to be appreciated for her beauty, hence her decent in prostitution)and Kazue (a hard working career who moonlights as a prostitute at night). The journal entries are collected together by Yuriko's older sister following the murders of both Yuriko and Kazue.
Each journal entry and intermediate narration by Yuriko's older sister deals with each of their experiences with remarkable individuality, each voice different from the others. This book shows remarkable characterisation by Kirino. The tale the characters tell is shocking and they revel in their own hatred, insecruity, jealousys, lies and hopes with disarming honesty - this makes their stories very affecting. You are repulsed by their actions and reasons but sympathetic at the same time. This makes Kirino's writing stunning; to sustain this balance among all her characters is amazing. Her writing often overflows with penetrating insight and disturbing images of individuals depraving themselves all to become accepted by society.
"Grotesque" is a very appropriate title for this book. It is a dark, disturbing, challenging novel dealing with unpleasant issues; prostitution, murder, hatred, jealousy and the seedy side of human life.If you are looking for a nice summer read avoid this. However if you are looking for a brilliantly written novel, full of a psychological insight and images that remain with you after you have finished then buy this book now. As I said at the start, "Grotesque" really got under my skin.
Thanks for reading my views
Jonathan
It is divided into the journal entries of Yuriko (a beautiful woman whose meaning in life is to be appreciated for her beauty, hence her decent in prostitution)and Kazue (a hard working career who moonlights as a prostitute at night). The journal entries are collected together by Yuriko's older sister following the murders of both Yuriko and Kazue.
Each journal entry and intermediate narration by Yuriko's older sister deals with each of their experiences with remarkable individuality, each voice different from the others. This book shows remarkable characterisation by Kirino. The tale the characters tell is shocking and they revel in their own hatred, insecruity, jealousys, lies and hopes with disarming honesty - this makes their stories very affecting. You are repulsed by their actions and reasons but sympathetic at the same time. This makes Kirino's writing stunning; to sustain this balance among all her characters is amazing. Her writing often overflows with penetrating insight and disturbing images of individuals depraving themselves all to become accepted by society.
"Grotesque" is a very appropriate title for this book. It is a dark, disturbing, challenging novel dealing with unpleasant issues; prostitution, murder, hatred, jealousy and the seedy side of human life.If you are looking for a nice summer read avoid this. However if you are looking for a brilliantly written novel, full of a psychological insight and images that remain with you after you have finished then buy this book now. As I said at the start, "Grotesque" really got under my skin.
Thanks for reading my views
Jonathan
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I agree with the reviewers that thought this book was tough after reading "Out" and overall a disappointment. I don't know how I managed to finish the book, as I was only half way through when I realised that I wasn't enjoying the novel and didn't like any of the characters. I waded through to the end in search of some kind of hope or meaning only to find emptiness. On the plus side I do like the authors style of writing and this made things a bit easier. (Meaning I finished it in a few days rather than a few weeks) and I will definitley have a go at her next novel, because I haven't forgotten the brilliance of Out. That novel stands alone as a shining beacon of hope for future Kirino works. I just think this one may have been a blip and I'm willing to let it go as one.
I give this review 2 stars, because I don't think it completely bad. Some of the characters, even though not likeable, are well described and sometimes intriguing. The style of writing also keeps the story going. Just a shame I didn't understand the point of the story. I wouldn't bother reading this if it is a detective novel you are after. This reads less as a story about crime, but more as a colection of memoirs about bitterness, prostitution and murder, and thus is dripping with cruelty and self loathing.
I give this review 2 stars, because I don't think it completely bad. Some of the characters, even though not likeable, are well described and sometimes intriguing. The style of writing also keeps the story going. Just a shame I didn't understand the point of the story. I wouldn't bother reading this if it is a detective novel you are after. This reads less as a story about crime, but more as a colection of memoirs about bitterness, prostitution and murder, and thus is dripping with cruelty and self loathing.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent!
I first came across Natsuo Kirino's work with her brilliant novel, Out, and have since read Real World, which was quite good but couldn't match up to Out. Read more
Published 2 days ago by D Brown
not as good as OUT
OUT was just fab, I loved it. This is good but Not as gripping . I did enjoy it and the writing is lovely but I miss books like OUT
Published 1 month ago by mermaid
Dark And Disturbing Genious
This a a dark and absolutely brilliant book. As others point out no you certainly will not like any character in this book. They are all floored in deep and convincing ways. Read more
Published 4 months ago by J. Axup
Mixed feelings...
Having read OUT and other books by Kirino I was really hoping for something as special here. Sadly the book lost me about two thirds of the way though although I did struggle on to... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Sadie
Grotesque
the book I have not started reading yet, having already read other books by the same author is definitely beautiful
Published 7 months ago by rita zanelli
Dreadful
Like most other reviewers here I loved "Out",it intrigued me then gripped me and left me feeling as if I'd discovered a massive talent and an author that would become a firm... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Oldbiker
Terrible ending
I pounced on this book in my local library after having read the wonderful Out, the best book I had read in ages. It was all going so well until the last 10 pages. What happened??? Read more
Published on 18 Feb 2010 by liveenl
Dreadfully disappointing and slow
I approached "Grotesque" with great anticipation, having loved "Out", which I and my wife both devoured eagerly while on holiday. Read more
Published on 26 Oct 2009 by Telboy
Wonderfully shocked.
I never write reviews, but want people to read this book. It has a hauntingly beautiful narative, which offers a look at the world through different eyes. Read more
Published on 31 Aug 2009 by Samantha Gray
Absolutely great
I think I already wrote a review...Anyway, the book was good enough, taking into consideration that it is from 1975, but I could see someone has taken good care of it. Thank you. Read more
Published on 30 Aug 2009 by O. Martin
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