This was like reading a movie. I was really into it until I noticed way too many connections with The Tommyknockers. Then my motivation died and it toThis was like reading a movie. I was really into it until I noticed way too many connections with The Tommyknockers. Then my motivation died and it took me 2 months to finish the last chapter. I can't even remember what it was about, but I know it made me jump at every little noise in the house while I was reading, so it must have been good. ...more
Ok, this is the last Japanese book I'm reading for a while. Fuck me, this had me emailing my brother who lived in Japan for a year, asking him what thOk, this is the last Japanese book I'm reading for a while. Fuck me, this had me emailing my brother who lived in Japan for a year, asking him what the fuck is wrong with Japanese writers. His answer? Japan is all twisted, that's why I love it. Heh.
Although this book offered much more insight into Japanese culture than Kirino's Out: A Novel, while also giving thoughtful and poignant perspectives on American culture, I just can't stand this bloodbath shit that's popped up in both of these novels, along with high school girls selling themselves, bodies being hacked up and thrown away in the local trash bins, designer brands sported by chicks who are moments away from having their throats slit in graphic detail, etc.
That's not to say that the book isn't well-written. It is an extremely interesting psychological portrait of mankind, examining the human consequences of loneliness in both Japanese and American societies. And it gave me anxiety to the point that I was either going to puke or have to pop a Xanax. Signs of an excellent writer.
The following is one of my favorite passages, not only because I've felt this way a long time about Americans, but also because it highlights the one of the greatest underlying themes of this book:
"Nobody, I don't care what country they're from, has a perfect personality. Everyone has a good side and a side that's not so good .... What's good about Americans, if I can generalize a little, is that they have a kind of openhearted innocence. And what's not good is that they can't imagine any world outside of the States, or any value system different from their own. The Japanese have a similar defect..."
Read this book if you want to be entertained and learn about Japan, but be prepared for gore and psychological drama. ...more
Tommyknockers,Tommyknockers,knockin' at my door. >shiver<
This is another one I picked up when living in small-town Italy when I was 16 because there Tommyknockers,Tommyknockers,knockin' at my door. >shiver<
This is another one I picked up when living in small-town Italy when I was 16 because there were no other books in English at the bookstore.
How Stephen King comes up with this shit, I have no idea. All I know is that a metal plate in your head can protect you from alien invasion. :-D
Not only was this book ultra-creepy, it was a great story with tons of wild plot twists and random characters that only King could dream up.
The best part of King's novels is that no character is sacred, especially not the ones you're the most attached to -- the ones you love and have come to understand? Maybe identify with a little bit? Possibly even sympathize with? BAM! They're the first to go.
So my school had too many new jr. high students the year I started, and there weren't enough classes, so we all got shoved into this one bitchy teacheSo my school had too many new jr. high students the year I started, and there weren't enough classes, so we all got shoved into this one bitchy teacher's classroom during her free hour and were forced to do "silent reading."
Thus, I wound up reading an old copy of Different Seasons that I'd found laying around the house ... I think this book traumatized me. Kick ass. ...more
I should note that I read almost all of the Stephen King books on my list when I was sixteen and living in small-town Italy -- literally, in a villa iI should note that I read almost all of the Stephen King books on my list when I was sixteen and living in small-town Italy -- literally, in a villa in the sticks. The only English-language books at the bookstore were Stephen King novels.
I'll never forget reading this book on a stormy night, branches thrashing against my window, thunder, lightning, rain flying sideways, and me, nearly pissing myself with fear as I read, and praying that no one would come in one of the four entrances to my bedroom and kill me.
What the hell is wrong with Stephen King, dude? The man is sick.
It took me like 8 months to get through this tiny little book.
Why? Because Patricia Highsmith is insane, that's why. This story was so tragic that it It took me like 8 months to get through this tiny little book.
Why? Because Patricia Highsmith is insane, that's why. This story was so tragic that it gave me nightmares, forcing me to read it in small chunks.
This is a great book in the same way The Bell Jar is: Amazing, but would you really recommend it to a friend? Solution: recommend it to an enemy. :)...more
Read this in college for relief when I could no longer stand The Canterbury Tales and the other horrors that were revealed to me after I declared my ERead this in college for relief when I could no longer stand The Canterbury Tales and the other horrors that were revealed to me after I declared my English major.
This book scared the living crap out of me, to the point that I couldn't read it unless my boyfriend was in my dorm room.
The best part? Unlike most thrillers, this one's not all's well that end's well. CHRIST it was scary. Loved it. ...more
La Petite Américaine
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