Ring
Registered by rem_STP-921375 on 6/30/2005
19 journalers for this copy...
Fans of Japanese horror movies will love this book as it was made into the infamous film of the same name. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's not as eerie as the film, but fills in alot of the background information which I found interesting.
"Stunning, cutting-edge thriller with a chilling supernatural twist from Japan's stylish new literary star. Asakawa is a hardworking journalist who has climbed his way up from local-news beat reporter to writer for his newspaper's weekly magazine. A chronic workaholic, he doesn't take much notice when his seventeen-year-old niece dies suddenly -- until a chance conversation reveals that another healthy teenager died at exactly the same time, in chillingly similar circumstances. Sensing a story, Asakawa begins to investigate, and soon discovers that this strange simultaneous sudden-death syndrome also affected another two teenagers. Exactly one week before their mysterious deaths the four teenagers all spent the night at a leisure resort in the same log cabin. When Asakawa visits the resort, the mystery only deepens. A comment made in the guest book by one of the teenagers leads him to a particular vidoetape. When he watches it, instead of a movie he finds an odd collection of disparate images with a portentous message at the end: Those who have viewed these images are fated to die at this exact hour one week from now. Asakawa finds himself in a race against time -- he has only seven days to find the cause of the teenagers' deaths before it finds him. The hunt puts him on the trail of an apocalytpic power that will force Asakawa to choose between saving his family and saving civilization."
"Stunning, cutting-edge thriller with a chilling supernatural twist from Japan's stylish new literary star. Asakawa is a hardworking journalist who has climbed his way up from local-news beat reporter to writer for his newspaper's weekly magazine. A chronic workaholic, he doesn't take much notice when his seventeen-year-old niece dies suddenly -- until a chance conversation reveals that another healthy teenager died at exactly the same time, in chillingly similar circumstances. Sensing a story, Asakawa begins to investigate, and soon discovers that this strange simultaneous sudden-death syndrome also affected another two teenagers. Exactly one week before their mysterious deaths the four teenagers all spent the night at a leisure resort in the same log cabin. When Asakawa visits the resort, the mystery only deepens. A comment made in the guest book by one of the teenagers leads him to a particular vidoetape. When he watches it, instead of a movie he finds an odd collection of disparate images with a portentous message at the end: Those who have viewed these images are fated to die at this exact hour one week from now. Asakawa finds himself in a race against time -- he has only seven days to find the cause of the teenagers' deaths before it finds him. The hunt puts him on the trail of an apocalytpic power that will force Asakawa to choose between saving his family and saving civilization."
I am going to send this out on a ray as I know there are lots of Japanese horror fans out there!
Right-ho, so here is the running order. As there are quite a lot of participants try to read the book within a month. If you can't or would like to alter your place on the list let me know.
flajol (UK, can post intl)
Olliebear (UK, can post UK)
droogie (UK, can post intl)
arturogrande (UK, can post intl)
Rebecca84 (Germany, can post Europe)
mihi (Austria, can post intl)
hunnyb (Australia, can post intl)
ShilpaM (Australia, can post intl)
caligula03 (USA, can post intl)
Firegirl (USA)
bakerwhencan (USA, can post intl)
Scrawler (USA, can post intl)
Drusillamac (UK, can post intl)
neverbelilith
Sunlightbub
Candy-is-dandy
aubriel
Rossella05
soulbalm
angellica
Miss-R
cnfotp
woomama
Right-ho, so here is the running order. As there are quite a lot of participants try to read the book within a month. If you can't or would like to alter your place on the list let me know.
flajol (UK, can post intl)
Olliebear (UK, can post UK)
droogie (UK, can post intl)
arturogrande (UK, can post intl)
Rebecca84 (Germany, can post Europe)
mihi (Austria, can post intl)
hunnyb (Australia, can post intl)
ShilpaM (Australia, can post intl)
caligula03 (USA, can post intl)
Firegirl (USA)
bakerwhencan (USA, can post intl)
Scrawler (USA, can post intl)
Drusillamac (UK, can post intl)
neverbelilith
Sunlightbub
Candy-is-dandy
aubriel
Rossella05
soulbalm
angellica
Miss-R
cnfotp
woomama
I've just read the first few pages, and it's looking good. I might only read it in daylight hours though. With the phone unplugged.
Thanks for sharing this book, pennywhistler. :o)
Thanks for sharing this book, pennywhistler. :o)
"But still, way back in a corner of his mind, there was that what if. What if it were true?"
I haven't seen any of the films yet (too much of a scaredy cat) but I'm curious about them and thought the book would be an easier way in. I don't think the book is as frightening as the film (although I only managed the first ten minutes so may not be a good judge of that), but it does include some interesting meditations on the nature of fear. I'm not sure if I'll bother with the sequels - I don't think the ending can be bettered.
I haven't seen any of the films yet (too much of a scaredy cat) but I'm curious about them and thought the book would be an easier way in. I don't think the book is as frightening as the film (although I only managed the first ten minutes so may not be a good judge of that), but it does include some interesting meditations on the nature of fear. I'm not sure if I'll bother with the sequels - I don't think the ending can be bettered.
Released 18 yrs ago (7/13/2005 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
In the post to Olliebear.
SORRY! I have had this book for nearly 2 weeks and not journalled to say so. Terribly bad etiquette, I know but unintentional! Anyway, am almost through it and loving it. I have seen the Japanese film of the Ring ad the Korean version and loved both. The book is certainly very good and explains a few bits that I was unsure about from the film versions.
I will journal again once read to give my final opinion but I cna't see it changing in the final 50 pages!
Thanks for sharing! Sorry for being a crap Bookcrosser with this one. It won't happen again...hopefully!!
I will journal again once read to give my final opinion but I cna't see it changing in the final 50 pages!
Thanks for sharing! Sorry for being a crap Bookcrosser with this one. It won't happen again...hopefully!!
A great book, although it was odd seeing the film first as it is very different even down to the main character being male in the book and female in film. I do love the Ring cycle of films (Japanese ones) so I loved reading this and it helped me understand the film as there are inevitably a few parts that I didn't fully understand from the film. As usual, the book explained things in more detail.
I did find myself rushing the end slightly, and I think that is because I already knew what would happen and found it difficult to ignore that. This is why I tend to stay away from reading books of films I have seen but I couldn't resist with this one.
Thanks for sharing anyway! It was a great read and I am pleased to have the chance!
Will send this off after my holiday (only a week away!).
I did find myself rushing the end slightly, and I think that is because I already knew what would happen and found it difficult to ignore that. This is why I tend to stay away from reading books of films I have seen but I couldn't resist with this one.
Thanks for sharing anyway! It was a great read and I am pleased to have the chance!
Will send this off after my holiday (only a week away!).
Journal Entry 8 by droogie from Nottingham, not specified not specified on Saturday, September 3, 2005
Thanks for sending this - Ijust hope I'm brave enough to read it...
Journal Entry 9 by droogie from Nottingham, not specified not specified on Monday, September 19, 2005
Phew that was scary - I made the mistake of reading it late at night in bed, in the house by myself. I couldn't put it down - partly because it was so good and partly because I was too scared to turn out the light.
Sufficiently different from the American and Japanese films to keep me turning pages and the suspense builds really well.
Thank you Pennywhistler for giving me the opportunity to read this - I'm just going to add Spiral to my wish list :)
Sufficiently different from the American and Japanese films to keep me turning pages and the suspense builds really well.
Thank you Pennywhistler for giving me the opportunity to read this - I'm just going to add Spiral to my wish list :)
Journal Entry 10 by arturogrande from Coalville, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Friday, September 23, 2005
I think this is going to be a scary one - thanks for the warnings everyone!
I've seen the Japanese films, so the content and ending won't be a surprise - but I usually find books scarier than films anyway, as I've got a very vivid imagination.
I've seen the Japanese films, so the content and ending won't be a surprise - but I usually find books scarier than films anyway, as I've got a very vivid imagination.
Journal Entry 11 by arturogrande from Coalville, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Sunday, October 2, 2005
I found this MUCH scarier than the film, probably because - as with radio- 'the pictures are better'.
Given the fact that this was such a scary story, I'm not quite sure why it was changed around so much for the film.
There was a fabulous sense of creeping dread, and of death and horror waiting just around the corner of a very ordinary life.
And as for the ending - well, let me just say, fellow Bookcrossers - this is one ring you do NOT want to be a part of!
Thanks, pennywhistler, for making this into a ring.
I'm now sending it off to Rebecca84.
Given the fact that this was such a scary story, I'm not quite sure why it was changed around so much for the film.
There was a fabulous sense of creeping dread, and of death and horror waiting just around the corner of a very ordinary life.
And as for the ending - well, let me just say, fellow Bookcrossers - this is one ring you do NOT want to be a part of!
Thanks, pennywhistler, for making this into a ring.
I'm now sending it off to Rebecca84.
NB: The difference between the book and film versions has been mentioned in most of the journal entries so I thought I'd post an additional journal entry about that. The decision to change the sex of the main character was apparantly made because Japan is still a very traditional country compared to the West. Fathers are not seen as being as involved with their children (especially female children) as mothers are. The filmmakers apparantly felt that the audience would be better able to relate to a story about a mother doing anything to save the life of her child.
Journal Entry 13 by arturogrande from Coalville, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Thursday, October 6, 2005
On its way to Rebecca84.
Journal Entry 14 by Rebecca84 from Münster, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Just arrived today, thanks a lot :) I have some other books to read first, unfortunately, but I'll do my best.
I finished this way faster than I thought. It only took me three days to read it, which is impressive for me reading an English book :)
As for the book, I am the odd one out here because I didn't find it to be scary at all. I guess there have to date only been one or two books that scared me, books just don't have that impact on me. They can make me cry, but not be scared. This was no exception, so it read as more of a crime book lor thriller for me. It was a good thriller so, and despite being a Biologist (I hope this isn't a spoiler) I couldn't figure out the ending.
I am now looking forward to reading the sequels, I guess.
As for the book, I am the odd one out here because I didn't find it to be scary at all. I guess there have to date only been one or two books that scared me, books just don't have that impact on me. They can make me cry, but not be scared. This was no exception, so it read as more of a crime book lor thriller for me. It was a good thriller so, and despite being a Biologist (I hope this isn't a spoiler) I couldn't figure out the ending.
I am now looking forward to reading the sequels, I guess.
Journal Entry 16 by mihi from Wien - irgendwo / Vienna - somewhere, Wien Austria on Thursday, November 17, 2005
Arrived in todays mail, thanks for sending it, looking forward to read it.
Journal Entry 17 by mihi from Wien - irgendwo / Vienna - somewhere, Wien Austria on Monday, November 28, 2005
Just finished this nice work, and i have to say i was really frightened in the end allthough i knew what will happen (as i've seen the movies). It has to be said that i listened to "the dark side of phobos" while finishing it, and the music did it's part.
Yes it is different from the movies, it is better. It draws a nice picture of human cruelty.
Off to hunnyb as soon as i have the adress.
Yes it is different from the movies, it is better. It draws a nice picture of human cruelty.
Off to hunnyb as soon as i have the adress.
It was Christmas come early for me today - 3 books in the mail! Yay :) Thanks, I've been looking forward to receiving this one. Want to read it before I see the movie.
Finished the book today - didn't find it as scary as I feared it would be! Very tight, suspenseful writing with a good plot. Bit of a mystery as to the true nature of Ryuji though...? Maybe I'll read the sequel and see if I can find out :)
Thanks for sharing this, pennywhistler. It's on its way to ShilpaM when I get her address.
Thanks for sharing this, pennywhistler. It's on its way to ShilpaM when I get her address.
Update: I have tried to contact ShilpaM for her address to no avail... a fellow Aussie bookcrosser works with her, so fingers crossed I can contact her that way. Sorry about the wait guys!!
Ok, after all that ShilpaM has PM'd me to say she's been swamped by bookrings and would like to be skipped. Will PM caligula03 for address.
Book is here. Thanks!
I really enjoyed this book. I've only seen the U.S. adaptation of the film but will get around to seeing the Japanese version soon as I'm a fan of Japanese cinema and I must say I enjoyed the book much more than I did the film. I don't know what's with the recent trend of Hollywood deciding horses are a good (err scary?) horror motif.
Anyway, back to the book. I read it over the course of three evenings and had I the time, could have managed it in one go. It was a very tight plot explaining the origins of the tape, the purpose of the tape and the origins of the psychic powers involved in the curse. I don't want to go into the details more and risk spoiling the nuances of the book for those who have yet to read it. I will admit to the first couple chapters giving me nightmares which is what a good horror story should do.
Anyway, back to the book. I read it over the course of three evenings and had I the time, could have managed it in one go. It was a very tight plot explaining the origins of the tape, the purpose of the tape and the origins of the psychic powers involved in the curse. I don't want to go into the details more and risk spoiling the nuances of the book for those who have yet to read it. I will admit to the first couple chapters giving me nightmares which is what a good horror story should do.
Released 18 yrs ago (2/16/2006 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Mailing to Firegirl.
Arrived today -- have been looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for sharing; will get to it straight away.
I'm with you, Rebecca84, I didn't find this book to be scary either as I, too, am very rarely frightened by books. I did have high hopes for it, as the American film version is one of the few movies that really creeped me out. (I'm a big horror film fan but none have stayed with me as long as The Ring. I can freak myself out just thinking about it.) I found the book interesting, but not scary. As mentioned by others, it is sufficiently different enough from the films to be engaging and I liked the differences very much. I'm curious about the Japanese version; would like to see it to compare it to this book and the American film.
I will say, though, that I found the writing in this book to be very simplistic. Maybe that is why I didn't find it eerie -- there just wasn't enough description for me. Not a vivid enough picture was painted. I didn't find myself very sympathetic to the characters either, though their plight was one that should definitely evoke sympathy.
All in all, I did enjoy reading it, but primarily for comparative purposes. If I wasn't such a fan of the film, I don't think I'd care for the book very much. I suppose this is one of the VERY rare times I liked the movie better. I definitely appriciate the opportunity to read it though; thanks, Pennywhistler!
I've contacted the next in line and will post this out as soon as I have a shipped address.
I will say, though, that I found the writing in this book to be very simplistic. Maybe that is why I didn't find it eerie -- there just wasn't enough description for me. Not a vivid enough picture was painted. I didn't find myself very sympathetic to the characters either, though their plight was one that should definitely evoke sympathy.
All in all, I did enjoy reading it, but primarily for comparative purposes. If I wasn't such a fan of the film, I don't think I'd care for the book very much. I suppose this is one of the VERY rare times I liked the movie better. I definitely appriciate the opportunity to read it though; thanks, Pennywhistler!
I've contacted the next in line and will post this out as soon as I have a shipped address.
Posted today via media mail.
I picked this up at the post office today. I am really looking forward to this.
I had such a good time reading this book! One of those, I could not wait to get home and get back to reading. I've seen both the Japanese and American films, but if I am recalling correctly, this is the first horror book I've read.
The images of the people who died, and the tape were scary for me. Had a hard time getting up to go get a drink of water at night. I also really enjoyed the constant sense of fear the main character was feeling. That kept me not wanting to leave the story.
The character of the friend intrigued me a little... interesting part that is not in the movie. After first reading about his past, I was scared of the protagonist! I definitely was taken aback. There were other aspects that I won't go into to avoid spoiling, that were not in the movie that I think made the story. Overall, great read and I am going to look for some more Japanese horror books to read.
Thanks for including me! I will send this off to Drusillamac next. Scrawler asked to be skipped.
The images of the people who died, and the tape were scary for me. Had a hard time getting up to go get a drink of water at night. I also really enjoyed the constant sense of fear the main character was feeling. That kept me not wanting to leave the story.
The character of the friend intrigued me a little... interesting part that is not in the movie. After first reading about his past, I was scared of the protagonist! I definitely was taken aback. There were other aspects that I won't go into to avoid spoiling, that were not in the movie that I think made the story. Overall, great read and I am going to look for some more Japanese horror books to read.
Thanks for including me! I will send this off to Drusillamac next. Scrawler asked to be skipped.
Mailed off to Drusillamac today.
I caught this in the post this morning. Thanks to pennywhistler and bakerwhencan for sharing :-)
I really enjoyed this book. I thought it would be spoiled for me because I have seen both the Japanese and American film version. Thanks to pennywhistler for the comment about why a woman was the main character in the film. It explains a slight confusion I felt about Asakawa's character. At the begining he seemed rather uninterested in his wife and child but perhaps their pending death made him realise how important they were to him. Also, someone else has commented about Ryuji's character. You think you knew him and bam! the last few chapters completely turn his character around.
I believe some of the back story of Sadako has been made into a prequel (and sequel) film in Japan. After reading the preview of Spiral at the end of this book, I am hooked and considering picking it up.
Because I had seen the film, the 'twist' was more apparent but the book 'twist' was excellent. The idea of a disease and potential pact with the Devil was a LOT better than the film version.
Thanks for sharing this book with us pennywhistler and bakerwhencan for posting it to me. I have PMed neverbelilith for an address so this book should get moving within a week.
But who knows, I might be dead by then...... :-P
I believe some of the back story of Sadako has been made into a prequel (and sequel) film in Japan. After reading the preview of Spiral at the end of this book, I am hooked and considering picking it up.
Because I had seen the film, the 'twist' was more apparent but the book 'twist' was excellent. The idea of a disease and potential pact with the Devil was a LOT better than the film version.
Thanks for sharing this book with us pennywhistler and bakerwhencan for posting it to me. I have PMed neverbelilith for an address so this book should get moving within a week.
But who knows, I might be dead by then...... :-P
Sent to neverbelilith today.
Journal Entry 34 by perditaxknit from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Sunday, July 23, 2006
Oooops sorry! I've had this for ages and I didn't even journal it when it arrived. Bad Bookcrosser! *bows head in shame*
I liked this :) The simplistic way of writing (was this translated or written in English?) I think added to the general off-kilter oddness of the book, and the ending was splendid. As for book vs film, I think the book explained everything a lot better than the film (I've only seen the Japanese one - I was a bit confused at the end!) but I don't think anything could match the horror of the crawling-out-of-the-TV incident in the film. (hope that's not too spoilerous!)
Thanks for sharing Pennywhistler, and apologies again for holding this one up! x
I liked this :) The simplistic way of writing (was this translated or written in English?) I think added to the general off-kilter oddness of the book, and the ending was splendid. As for book vs film, I think the book explained everything a lot better than the film (I've only seen the Japanese one - I was a bit confused at the end!) but I don't think anything could match the horror of the crawling-out-of-the-TV incident in the film. (hope that's not too spoilerous!)
Thanks for sharing Pennywhistler, and apologies again for holding this one up! x
Journal Entry 35 by perditaxknit from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, August 3, 2006
On its way to sunlightbub :)
Journal Entry 36 by Sunnybubble from Wallasey, Merseyside United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 9, 2006
THis is an appropriate book for me at the moment as I am in bookring hell..ie. about 5 which really need to be read and moved on..I'll be as quick as I can ..and I think PW knows I'm a good credit risk!
I've pm'd Candy for her address.
I liked the book, but did find it a bit scary! I haven't seen the film, but I imagine it must be quite different as I don't see how some of the themes would work on screen. I can't say much more without spoiling, but a reccommended read..One of my favs of the year so far.
I liked the book, but did find it a bit scary! I haven't seen the film, but I imagine it must be quite different as I don't see how some of the themes would work on screen. I can't say much more without spoiling, but a reccommended read..One of my favs of the year so far.
Journal Entry 38 by candy-is-dandy from Great Bardfield, Essex United Kingdom on Sunday, August 27, 2006
This was waiting for me when I returned from holiday. Thanks for sharing!
Journal Entry 39 by candy-is-dandy from Great Bardfield, Essex United Kingdom on Friday, January 12, 2007
I'm sorry this has stuck with me for so long - I'm reading it now so should get it moving again in the next week.
Journal Entry 40 by candy-is-dandy from Great Bardfield, Essex United Kingdom on Monday, January 22, 2007
I haven't ssen the film and probably wouldn't have for fear of 'fear'. I find films much scarier than books - probably the atmospheric music and building of suspense.
I quite enjoyed this though all in all it wasn't as good as I expected. I think the language was quite basic, probably due to translation and I didn't really feel we got to know the main characters very well. Nice twist at the end.
I have PM'd aubriel so this will be on its way tomorrow.
I quite enjoyed this though all in all it wasn't as good as I expected. I think the language was quite basic, probably due to translation and I didn't really feel we got to know the main characters very well. Nice twist at the end.
I have PM'd aubriel so this will be on its way tomorrow.
Journal Entry 41 by aubriel from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Friday, January 26, 2007
Arrived safely.
I have a few books before I get to this one, but hopefully it shouldn't be too long.
I have a few books before I get to this one, but hopefully it shouldn't be too long.
Journal Entry 42 by aubriel from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Sunday, February 25, 2007
Again like some other journallers I've never seen the film of this so I had no idea what it was really going to be about. Personally, I didn't find it that scary (and this was my bedtime reading) though I did enjoy the story.
Rosella05 has asked to be skipped so this is now on it's way to soulbalm.
Rosella05 has asked to be skipped so this is now on it's way to soulbalm.
Received in the post this morning. Thanks Aubriel, and Pennywhistler
Loved Koji Suzuki's writing, especially some scenes at the beginning. But I so wish I hadn't seen the film before reading this - it would have been far more powerful if none of it was visually in my head already!
Will PM angellica and send it on to her next.
Will PM angellica and send it on to her next.
Posted to Miss-R today.
Thanks for passing this on! Once I've finished my current read I'll get started on this.
Although I didn't find this book scary I did thoroughly enjoy it! It was more of a thriller than a horror, and a very good one at that. I don't really know what to say about it without giving away too much to people who are yet to read the books, so I'll just say that I'm now looking forward to seeing the films and reading the sequel.
Arrived last week, sorry for not journalling before. I have nearly finished my other bookring so will start this at the weekend...
