tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post6757058690266982412..comments2023-10-12T05:37:20.816-07:00Comments on Suko's Notebook: Real WorldSukohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11893742747135555499noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-40478287580558274712009-10-17T03:55:17.995-07:002009-10-17T03:55:17.995-07:00@Mee: personally, I think Grotesque would generall...@Mee: personally, I think Grotesque would generally be appealing to me compared to Out because from its first few pages alone I was already captivated by Kirino's voice (or the two voices of her main characters, for that matter). But unfortunately, I chickened out of it last year. I might (just might) give it a shot again next year. Or perhaps try Out. I do hope she releases a new book in English translation soon, as she's got dozens in Japanese already.Mark Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00191881042368314958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-24333687344396424372009-10-15T17:02:26.047-07:002009-10-15T17:02:26.047-07:00Karen, I am unfamiliar with Nina Sankovitz's b...Karen, I am unfamiliar with Nina Sankovitz's blog but will check it out. (How can anyone read a book a day, unless they're children's books or very short ones?!) In college I read <i>The Realms of Gold</i> by Margaret Drabble, but I don't remember much about it. <br /><br />Mee--you've changed your profile picture--cute! Yes, I am hooked by Japanese lit, although I must take a short break from it. <br /><br />Again, thanks very much for the comments. Of course I welcome more.Sukohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11893742747135555499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-77087043514789151812009-10-15T15:06:30.864-07:002009-10-15T15:06:30.864-07:00If Mark David is right about Real World to be the ...If Mark David is right about Real World to be the least disturbing, that means I should be able to enjoy it. I read Out a couple of years ago and I believe it's one of the best thriller books I read (or any books). I intend to read another Kirino's books but have read mixed reviews on Grotesque or Real World. The general feeling that I got though people seem to like Real World more than Grotesque (many said Out is still the best of them all). Anyway, it's great to see other views. I'm glad you enjoy Japanese books!meehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00328641316798271079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-17731291275415325952009-10-15T14:00:41.241-07:002009-10-15T14:00:41.241-07:00I enjoyed reading your thorough review of Kirino&#...I enjoyed reading your thorough review of Kirino's novel. It sounds like a fascinating book. As a psychology major, I'm certain to find plenty of meaning in the words and actions of her teenage characters. <br /><br />Suko, have you ever heard of Nina Sankovitz's blog? She has been reading a book a day and blogs about it. I could see you interviewing her.<br /><br />Also, have you heard of Margaret Drabble? She has been compared to Virginia Woolf, but she is much lesser known.<br /><br />Thanks Suko, for a wonderful review!Karen Karibiannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-90026960604576979592009-10-15T13:54:54.242-07:002009-10-15T13:54:54.242-07:00Veens, thank you for taking the time to read my re...Veens, thank you for taking the time to read my review. I hope you will try some Japanese literature.<br /><br />Mark David, I appreciate all of your thoughtful comments. Many have recommended <i>Out</i> and <i>Grotesque</i> to me--I'm not sure which one I'll read next! I love the covers, too, and tried to photograph <i>Real World</i> to make it look forbidding, like Carl does on <i>Stainless Steel Droppings</i>.<br /><br />I really appreciate all of you taking the time to comment, and welcome additional comments.Sukohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11893742747135555499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-33745542240914771432009-10-15T06:25:26.629-07:002009-10-15T06:25:26.629-07:00@Belleza: If you want to try a Kirino, I would rec...@Belleza: If you want to try a Kirino, I would recommend this for starters, as it seems to be the least disturbing of her three English-translated works. But I do think that this novel is also something that parents (in particular) would find a little more disturbing than kids would. I do hope you like it... cause as I said earlier, it's got great writing.Mark Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00191881042368314958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-2047169210104036362009-10-15T06:22:06.924-07:002009-10-15T06:22:06.924-07:00By the way, the UK covers of Kirino's books ar...By the way, the UK covers of Kirino's books are amazing, don't you think? I find them beautiful (in a very dark way). I like the UK cover of Grotesque as well, which in my opinion really captured the story in one picture.Mark Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00191881042368314958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-82123377165075927992009-10-15T06:19:58.082-07:002009-10-15T06:19:58.082-07:00@Suko: I agree with everything you said. This is o...@Suko: I agree with everything you said. This is one of the first books I read this year, and I have to admit it stirred me up a little. It's terrifying, yes, on a psychological level. So while it's very poignant, I was able to take it and enjoy the book for what it is. Nice review for quite a chilling novel :) If you enjoyed this and didn't so much mind the creepy scenes, you might like Natsuo Kirino's Grotesque. That I believe has an even better writing, but it's definitely more disturbing. I chose to stop reading it last year, but I know I'll get back to it someday. Natsuo Kirino is a mystery/noir writer whose works I can also call literary fiction. Amazing writer, in my opinion. And you might know this already, but Out is her most popular and most acclaimed novel (and perhaps most brutal as well).Mark Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00191881042368314958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-45831925583224702242009-10-15T00:41:09.018-07:002009-10-15T00:41:09.018-07:00I totally smiled at - "Instead, I read about ...I totally smiled at - "Instead, I read about murder, violence, sexuality, and alienation."<br /><br />God, this review gave me the chills. I am not sure if I will be ale to go through this one at all. I am sure to mark this one for the Jap challenge in the future! As I really need to read more of there fiction!<br /><br />Thank you for a great review!Veenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18051587201427141480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-38135225759785606312009-10-14T19:38:32.692-07:002009-10-14T19:38:32.692-07:00Kerri, I had a lot of fun photographing the cover....Kerri, I had a lot of fun photographing the cover. (I've also seen a few variations of it.)<br /><br />vvb32, I will read <i>Out</i>! :)<br /><br />K.M., I'd never read anything by a Japanese author before joining this reading challenge. Now I am obsessed!<br /><br />I appreciate all of your comments and welcome more.Sukohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11893742747135555499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-78615418587722980542009-10-14T13:37:43.582-07:002009-10-14T13:37:43.582-07:00Unless Pearl Buck counts, I don't think I'...Unless Pearl Buck counts, I don't think I've ever read Japanese fiction. But you've intrigued me enough to make me want to try. I'm esp. interested in the idea of the characters wearing masks. Portraying the subtle intricacies of characters who show one face to the world and another to themselves is hard to pull off - but brilliant when it's accomplished.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13832782604769370695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-20272635931368701442009-10-14T12:38:48.481-07:002009-10-14T12:38:48.481-07:00i've been eyeing this at the bookstore and pla...i've been eyeing this at the bookstore and plan on picking it up soon. you MUST read OUT! that is the one that really got me hooked onto this author.vvb32 readshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10924589941745430884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-79525600177950833332009-10-14T08:04:51.846-07:002009-10-14T08:04:51.846-07:00Suko - Thanks for stopping by BookEnds. Now if eve...Suko - Thanks for stopping by BookEnds. Now if ever there was a book to read based on the cover ... what a striking image and the description of the book is very interesting.Kerrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04868326582777240483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-74713907423058785152009-10-13T20:42:16.391-07:002009-10-13T20:42:16.391-07:00chasingbawa, it sounds as if you've read a lot...chasingbawa, it sounds as if you've read a lot of Japanese literature, whereas I'm a novice. I may read Out and/or Grotesque in the future. Thanks for stopping by!<br /><br />Mel, it was your review that got me interested in reading Real World. Every time I visit your blog, I add a book to my TBR (for example, I just added The Flower Mat because it sounds so beautifully written)!<br /><br />dolcebellezza, I'm enjoying this challenge immensely and know I must read something by Haruki Murakami one of these days. I wonder how you became interested in Japanese literature--please excuse me if you discuss this on your blog. My problem now is that I want to read too many books by Japanese authors, and lack the time. (You're right about the masks--maybe it starts during the teen years?!)<br /><br />Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. More are always welcomed.Sukohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11893742747135555499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-82078141706370844482009-10-13T17:52:31.692-07:002009-10-13T17:52:31.692-07:00Your first few lines made me smile, "instead ...Your first few lines made me smile, "instead I read about murder, violence, sexuality and alienation." Then, I was intrigued to hear that Philip Gabriel translated this work, as I know he translated much (if not all) of Haruki Murakami's. The whole subject matter is very interesting, as I have an eighteen year old son, and all the better that now he's out of High School and into college. I feel I could write a horror novel of my own about his High School days, where he apparently forget everything I taught him about studying hard and applying one's self. Anyway, I haven't read much of Kirino, (any?) and I'm all the more interested after your wonderful view. It makes me thing that adults often wear masks, too, we're just better at disguising them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-76207745220373737372009-10-13T15:19:55.369-07:002009-10-13T15:19:55.369-07:00I also enjoyed Real World a lot-I have Out on my s...I also enjoyed Real World a lot-I have Out on my shelves now-once I get some of new to me Japanese authors whose books I have read I will read Out-it is interesting to see the very different way teenage and young adults are treated in the work of Banana Yoshimoto-Suko-I do hope you will at least briefly post on LizardMel uhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08714473754458914681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-25090268518754407782009-10-13T13:32:40.831-07:002009-10-13T13:32:40.831-07:00I read Out by Natsuo Kirino several years ago and ...I read Out by Natsuo Kirino several years ago and loved it. And now I'm reading Grotesque. Kirino does alienation and isolation really well and her Japan is a different reality from that of some of the better known classical and contemporary Japanese fiction. Thanks for your review, I can't wait to read Real World.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-36450058532673506062009-10-13T12:37:03.793-07:002009-10-13T12:37:03.793-07:00Diane, and Naida, thanks for stopping by. Real Wo...Diane, and Naida, thanks for stopping by. <i>Real World</i> is an intense novel.<br /><br />Amanda, I've enjoyed the Japanese Literature challenge greatly. Prior to joining this challenge, I'd heard of a few of the more popular Japanese authors but had never read anything from Japan. Now I'm hooked. This is my fourth post for the JLC-3, and I'm also reading <i>Lizard</i>, short stories by another Japanese author, Banana Yoshimoto (although I won't necessarily post about <i>Lizard</i>).<br /><br />Zibilee, this is a fast-paced thriller. It's not my usual genre, either, but I liked taking a break from my comfort zone. <br /><br />As always, I appreciate your comments. They add so much to this site. More are welcomed.Sukohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11893742747135555499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-49913129544885691942009-10-13T11:52:01.977-07:002009-10-13T11:52:01.977-07:00I've heard a lot about this book and it sounds...I've heard a lot about this book and it sounds really interesting to me. Though it also sounds very stark and scary I think it would be a really diverting read and would be very different from my usual reads. Great review, the book sounds excellent and I will be looking into it, Thanks!Zibileehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05857638467064749190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-65624733795949415692009-10-13T11:03:52.094-07:002009-10-13T11:03:52.094-07:00I don't think I could read something like this...I don't think I could read something like this.Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07026099426503180472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-15812262110446407202009-10-13T11:01:30.026-07:002009-10-13T11:01:30.026-07:00Wow, this sounds intense. I'd really have to b...Wow, this sounds intense. I'd really have to be in the mood for something like this one.<br />Glad you enjoyed it, great review.<br /><a href="http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/</a>The Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10217390642323530030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011304218892238385.post-44171998531663303262009-10-13T11:01:22.987-07:002009-10-13T11:01:22.987-07:00I have never read Japanese Crime fiction, but what...I have never read Japanese Crime fiction, but what you have said about this book sounds creppy but good. I'll add to me list. Thanks Suko.(Diane) Bibliophile By the Seahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10519875632878992728noreply@blogger.com