"2 million people can't be wrong", flaunts the book cover on your left, immediately attracting your attention. The actual cover of the paperback isn't this bold, although it informs that 2 million copies of the Japanese Version has been sold. The count of fascinated readers has just gone up to 2 million plus 1. Myself.
Well, I am glad that this book was ever translated to English, because of which I had the opportunity to read it. I am a person who forms ideas, and get shocked when things do not comply as per them. For example, I always looked upon the Japanese as the race of short people, who were good in gymnastics. I never thought they could be such talented authors as well.
Keigo Higashino has come up with an extraordinary book, and credit must also be given to Alexander O. Smith and Elye J. Alexander, the translators, who have kept the grip of the story intact. The original book has been made into a movie too. Needless to say, with such a strong storyline, the movie must have been a blockbuster.
The book is a very direct book. Murder is committed in the very first chapter, and you know all along who has done it as you progress through the book. Rest of the story is about how the police put together facts, test each theory against the other, and finally close in. On the other hand, the suspect offers a fairly strong alibi. Events keep swinging, and rapid developments compel you to wonder that everything is over. And then comes the bombshell: Things that appear sorted out, aren't that straightjacket either.
Perhaps, creating a difficult problem is tougher than solving it. And the murderer has set such a problem: it is not as simple as it appears, and it may be an algebra problem although it appears like a geometry one. As the police sort their thought processes, the reader, who is a quiet witness of the true course of events, hopes that the true murderer should not be punished. Everytime the noose tightens, the author brings forward an independent line of thought which stalls inevitable doom.
In the story, Keigo has brought forward how human beings react in different situations, how relationships prosper, how emotions swing, how deep can passion for a subject or person be.. its amazing. The truth finally is brought out, but it takes all by surprise. The end is too deep to expect, and one gets moved by it.
Written in absolutely lucid English, it is bound to get you hooked.
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This review is a part of the Book Review Programme at Blogadda.com.
12 comments:
Thanks for the review Anupama. Looks like the book will make a fascinating read.
@Ashok,
Thanks for your crisp review of my review!!
@Mr Ramakrishnan,
Yes, the book is indeed fascinating! A must read for all crime-thriller fans.
well, i got this book for review and like reading it too!!
and glad u did the review too..and liked it....reading your review makes me smile...looks like we both liked this for similar reasons..my review post is up too..so you can have a dekko :)
Nice review. Very simple and yet appealing.
Like the green effect of your blog page :)
I too reviewed the same book under the same program. Leeme know ur feedback on the same :)
http://ektakhetan.blogspot.in/
Nice review Anupama!
Beautiful review.
Wonderful review and a great thrilling experience this book was!!
It was simply unputdownable!! I wish, a lil' more was explained about Misato's attempted suicide. Dont you think??
@Star,
Its interesting to find similar views on the same book by two different people, isnt it?
@Numerounity,
I liked your presentation too.
@Scribby,
Welcome to my page, buddy.
@Mr Subramanian,
Thanks a lot for your encouragement.
@Shilpa,
Yes, that incident moved me a lot, but it could either be dropped or explained further. Maybe it had an impact on Yasuko's final decision. The author has left that bit for the imagination of the readers.
Nice review, nice book although you don't seem to have anything negative to say about the book. Also, you could talk a little more about aspects other than the plot.
Looks like you enjoyed reading it. :-)
@Abhy..something,
Man, is your name difficult to pronounce!!
Yes, I liked the book, was absolutely glued to it till it was over! There's not much that one will not like. Its a perfect Japanese setting, and one enjoys reading it.
Thanks for this post Anupama. i have added this to my reading list for sure. I cant wait to read it now :)
@Jaya,
I am sure you would love it!
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