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IS HOPE ITSELF THE ONLY ANSWER?
The renowned author of the Ring novels unravels a story of lovers wrestling with the darkness within themselves—be it selfishness, lust, or despair—in a deeply introspective romantic mystery that will tug at your mind as well as your heart.
A seemingly amnesiac woman sits mutely before her psychiatrist. Unable, or perhaps unwilling, to speak, the only time she shows any hint of emotion is when she hums a song—and the song becomes the first clue.
Pregnant but abandoned by her lover, who boarded a tuna boat to brave turbulent waters far from home, she’d waded into the pitch-black waves one evening to drown herself...because when you feel like you’re stranded at sea all by yourself in the dead of the night, those waves call for you, lulling you to sink into the silence beneath.
What we go on to discover is a cursed fate, a ruthless reality, and the dark humor of a world ruled by the indifferent forces of chance. They say you never know what the future holds, but what if you’re told that you only have precisely a fifty-fifty chance of attaining happiness?
The renowned author of the Ring novels unravels a story of lovers wrestling with the darkness within themselves—be it selfishness, lust, or despair—in a deeply introspective romantic mystery that will tug at your mind as well as your heart.
A seemingly amnesiac woman sits mutely before her psychiatrist. Unable, or perhaps unwilling, to speak, the only time she shows any hint of emotion is when she hums a song—and the song becomes the first clue.
Pregnant but abandoned by her lover, who boarded a tuna boat to brave turbulent waters far from home, she’d waded into the pitch-black waves one evening to drown herself...because when you feel like you’re stranded at sea all by yourself in the dead of the night, those waves call for you, lulling you to sink into the silence beneath.
What we go on to discover is a cursed fate, a ruthless reality, and the dark humor of a world ruled by the indifferent forces of chance. They say you never know what the future holds, but what if you’re told that you only have precisely a fifty-fifty chance of attaining happiness?
Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
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653 people want to read
About the author
Kōji Suzuki
126?books1,315?followersSuzuki Kōji (铃木光司) is a Japanese writer, who was born in Hamamatsu and currently lives in Tokyo. Suzuki is the author of the Ring novels, which has been adapted into a manga series. He has written several books on the subject of fatherhood. He is currently on the selection committee for the Japan Fantasy Novel Award.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 18, 2025
I'm going to need a minute to digest this book.
This was clearly written by a Japanese male author, and I must say, the male gaze was male gazing. It also highlighted outdated (?) medical theory – for example, a man is locked in a psychiatric ward, but he's let go once he starts getting horny for women, because "interest in the opposite sex was a good barometer of mental health as well" (this is a quote from the book). (The book is from 1993 so maybe it was not outdated then, but the constant talk about 'erections = good!' was not my vibe).
This is very different from what I read from Suzuki; it was some sort of tragic love story about how loving unconditionally (a woman, a man, a mother, a child) can mess with your psyche and drive you mad. The book had a lot of depth, every character got its background and their own little fucked-up story, which I liked.
The story wasn't my cup of tea, but I love Suzuki's style. It would be a 4-star if it weren't for the sexy bits and the male gaze.
I'll edit this later to add bits I highlighted (and made my eye twitch).
This was clearly written by a Japanese male author, and I must say, the male gaze was male gazing. It also highlighted outdated (?) medical theory – for example, a man is locked in a psychiatric ward, but he's let go once he starts getting horny for women, because "interest in the opposite sex was a good barometer of mental health as well" (this is a quote from the book). (The book is from 1993 so maybe it was not outdated then, but the constant talk about 'erections = good!' was not my vibe).
This is very different from what I read from Suzuki; it was some sort of tragic love story about how loving unconditionally (a woman, a man, a mother, a child) can mess with your psyche and drive you mad. The book had a lot of depth, every character got its background and their own little fucked-up story, which I liked.
The story wasn't my cup of tea, but I love Suzuki's style. It would be a 4-star if it weren't for the sexy bits and the male gaze.
I'll edit this later to add bits I highlighted (and made my eye twitch).
August 1, 2022
3.5 stars
The Shining Sea is an interesting tale with several mysteries. The central mystery being why did Sayuri, a pregnant woman, commit suicide? And why is she unable to communicate now? Acts of suicide and suicidal ideation are things frequently mentioned in this book but nothing too explicit. Another big theme of this book is chance or luck, particularly when it comes to the chance of having a happy and healthy life. Ultimately, our characters want a happy life but the deck may be stacked against them.
While I found the mysteries compelling I did feel there was too much filler with the side characters. And the side characters are uninteresting in comparison to the two central characters. This probably could have been cut down to a novella with a focus on the main characters only and it would have been more effective. Also, we didn’t even get to see what happened with one of the side characters at the end although we can guess what happened. Overall, The Shining Sea is a slow-paced but intriguing mystery that could have been tighter in focus.
The Shining Sea is an interesting tale with several mysteries. The central mystery being why did Sayuri, a pregnant woman, commit suicide? And why is she unable to communicate now? Acts of suicide and suicidal ideation are things frequently mentioned in this book but nothing too explicit. Another big theme of this book is chance or luck, particularly when it comes to the chance of having a happy and healthy life. Ultimately, our characters want a happy life but the deck may be stacked against them.
While I found the mysteries compelling I did feel there was too much filler with the side characters. And the side characters are uninteresting in comparison to the two central characters. This probably could have been cut down to a novella with a focus on the main characters only and it would have been more effective. Also, we didn’t even get to see what happened with one of the side characters at the end although we can guess what happened. Overall, The Shining Sea is a slow-paced but intriguing mystery that could have been tighter in focus.
January 4, 2024
Why in the world is this thing shelved in the horror section?! It's the farthest thing from horror out there!
It's a story about a pregnant woman who attempts to drown herself in the ocean, ends up in a mental hospital, is unable or unwilling to speak, and has baffled the doctors there. She's an absolute mystery until another patient hears her humming an obscure song he knows, uncovers her identity, and helps the hospital collect information about her so they can figure out (1) why she tried to kill herself and (2) how to make her better before she delivers the baby.
It's not at all what I was expecting because I BOUGHT IT IN THE HORROR SECTION. The only horror here is the true horror I felt when I realized I had bought a book in HARDCOVER thinking it was going to reveal a deliciously weird, dark twist somewhere and there wasn't even the TEENIEST TINIEST fragment of horror in it.
What's HORRIFYING... is the sheer amount of cheating that takes place in this book.
I want my money back.
It's a story about a pregnant woman who attempts to drown herself in the ocean, ends up in a mental hospital, is unable or unwilling to speak, and has baffled the doctors there. She's an absolute mystery until another patient hears her humming an obscure song he knows, uncovers her identity, and helps the hospital collect information about her so they can figure out (1) why she tried to kill herself and (2) how to make her better before she delivers the baby.
It's not at all what I was expecting because I BOUGHT IT IN THE HORROR SECTION. The only horror here is the true horror I felt when I realized I had bought a book in HARDCOVER thinking it was going to reveal a deliciously weird, dark twist somewhere and there wasn't even the TEENIEST TINIEST fragment of horror in it.
What's HORRIFYING... is the sheer amount of cheating that takes place in this book.
I want my money back.
October 8, 2018
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June 8, 2024
Decent meditation on interpersonal complication. I have to assume that the translator is the reason it’s not well written.
September 10, 2022
Koji Suzuki's The Shining Sea is a slow-burn mystery interwoven with a doomed romance and strong themes of taking fate into one's own hands. I loved this book for its portrayal of the strength required to love another person selflessly. Much of the novel's psychological science is quite dated by this point, about 20 years on, but I think that just makes the central theme of intentional love that much more powerful, as even in today's world it still rings true.
September 7, 2023
case:
p44: "Tell me, the woman in these pictures--that's Sayuri Asakawa, isn't It?"
There are similarities with his previous work (and undoubtedly, his magnum opus) Ring. In fact, I thought it was an early version before I realized that it was written after Ring.
p44: "Tell me, the woman in these pictures--that's Sayuri Asakawa, isn't It?"
There are similarities with his previous work (and undoubtedly, his magnum opus) Ring. In fact, I thought it was an early version before I realized that it was written after Ring.
February 5, 2024
Fantastic book . But no life was ideal , paradise was an illusion. If you love your significant other and feel the stresses of life crushing your relationship , read this book and reconsider how strong your love for them is. Take a step back to appreciate your life and hold the people you love tightly.
October 10, 2024
What a dark read. Koji is a master at the macabre. I enjoyed the book, but minus a star because I don't really love the detailed male gaze descriptions of womens' bodies. Also something happened at the end with the psychiatrist (avoiding spoilers), which I didn't really understand his reaction to.
Most of the characters in the book were not good people. Once you accepted that, and reflected on the themes, which to me were ironically, acceptance, and to a small part, desire, the storyline was a lot easier to digest.
Most of the characters in the book were not good people. Once you accepted that, and reflected on the themes, which to me were ironically, acceptance, and to a small part, desire, the storyline was a lot easier to digest.
June 9, 2023
this took me on an emotional roller-coaster. it started off bat shit crazy, then unhinged, moved onto devastating, then truly just what the fuck, and to finish off the last two pages like that? wow. i'm gagged.
idk if it was the writing or maybe the translation but i found that it was a bit inconsistent. there were certain passages that were lyrical and beautiful then it would get super technical with no emotion. it made it a bit hard to read but i did really enjoy the plot and the characters!
idk if it was the writing or maybe the translation but i found that it was a bit inconsistent. there were certain passages that were lyrical and beautiful then it would get super technical with no emotion. it made it a bit hard to read but i did really enjoy the plot and the characters!
April 6, 2025
It was an okay read overall. It had a very interesting concept but I thought there would be more horror elements? This reads more as an existential thing and not even horror existentialism. I think i would have enjoyed it more if there were a few more chapters that explored Sayuri and Yoichi's relationship post birth of the baby. Also would have enjoyed it more if the lack of womanly love wasn't the cause for so many character's mental health concerns.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2022
This one suffers from translation issues I think, though not as much as other books I've read in English translated from Japanese. There's enough of a mystery to keep you hooked on the first part, it lost a bit of momentum for me swapping to other perspective characters in the second part, but overall pulls together for a satisfying ending.
April 24, 2025
This read more like literary fiction than horror. It actually wasn’t really horror at all. I suppose it could be argued that it is a mystery, but even that feels like a bit of an overstatement. There is the “mystery” of who the patient is and her background, but the story doesn’t really have the suspense element I expect out of a true mystery novel.
February 20, 2023
3.4 I felt that this book was a little difficult to read because of the translation. It took a while for the book to pick up. I did enjoy the fact that you had insight to most of the characters personal lives and their struggles.
May 8, 2024
A very interesting mystery that kept me fully engaged. I read the entirety in one sitting!
I loved the use of the dark themes and the consistent contemplation of ones choices as well as their affect on others and how that can shape a perspective!
I loved the use of the dark themes and the consistent contemplation of ones choices as well as their affect on others and how that can shape a perspective!
January 6, 2023
The story proceeds in such a stately and measured fashion - like a Noh dance - how do we find meaning in our interconnected lives, how do we navigate uncertainty, doubt, and fear
May 25, 2024
Interesting premise, I think the novelty of this text got lost in translation, if I’m being honest.
November 7, 2024
i think this book really tested my patience, i believe that i attempted to read this book about 3 different times but kept getting bored of the storyline and would read something else instead. koji suzuki writes so beautifully about the most boring things in this story i swear. whenever i would find myself sucked into his writing for a while i would stop and think about what i had read about up to that point and found that it was a whole lot of NOTHING! i get that the main takeaway from the book is supposed to be something along the lines of living a straightforward life yadda yadda but i was kind of disappointed by the time i (finally) got to the end because i felt like it all was just a big yap session.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2012
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January 1, 2024
It would’ve been a really interesting story if the author’s misogyny wasn’t so baked in that it distracts from the plot. The female characters are reduced to tropes yet they, and women in general, are to blame for all the male characters’ misfortunes. Yawn.
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