Out
11 journalers for this copy...
From the back cover:
This mesmerizing novel tells the story of a brutal murder in the staid Tokyo suburbs, as a young mother who works the night shift making boxed lunches strangles her abusive husband and then seeks the help of her coworkers to dispose of the body and cover up her crime. The coolly intelligent Masako emerges as the plot’s ringleader but quickly discovers that this killing is merely the beginning, as it leads to a terrifying foray into the violent underbelly of Japanese society. At once a masterpiece of literary suspense and pitch-black comedy of gender warfare. Out is also a moving evocation of the pressures and prejudices that drive women to extreme deeds, and the friendships that bolster the in the aftermath.
Meh, I’m not sure about that ‘friendship’ in that last sentence. Every action in this book is done out of desperation more than anything, IMO. If I had to summarize it in one word, that’s the central theme of the book. Desperation. All characters are desperate in some ways, to get OUT of their sticky situation. Is that probably where the title comes from?
The gender prejudice and inequality are especially thick in this book. Work especially well with Japan setting and four women as the central characters. (Well, this reminds me of Desperate Housewives out of the blue. But rest assured, it’s nothing like it. Doesn’t mean I don’t like Desperate Housewives :)
Some parts can be too gross to read. I did read every single word with some effort. I thought I couldn’t go on but I could. It’s totally a page-turner however. I finished the book fairly quickly, finishing the last 2 chapters in 1 night (ie a few hours), because I just had to know what happened next!
Please make a journal when you get the book so we all know you have received the book and it's safe with you.
Try to keep it with you no more than 4 weeks (The book is un-putdown-able so I don't think you'd have any problem :D)
After you finish the book, either make a journal entry or updated your first one and tell us what you think about it! (not required of course, but I would REALLY appreciate it if you do. I'd love to read what you think about the book! So pretty please? ;)
PM the next person in the list to get his/her address (good to do this about 1 or 2 weeks before you actually finish the book so there's time for the other person to reply).
Last make another journal entry or again updated the existing one when you have sent the book to the next person on the list, so we know that it's on its way!
So the journey goes this way: (it may change depends on newcomers, requests, etc) PM me if there's any problem
1) UnwrittenLibra, US (Intl)
2) Wordsnark, Canada (Intl)
3) arugh48187, India (Intl)
4) Plinius, Netherland (Intl)
5) Fifna, Netherland (EU preferred)
6) Midlifecrisis, UK (EU preferred, Intl OK)
7) Wijntje, Netherland (EU) <== the ray was finished!
I really did enjoy the book...though it confused me a little at times, the pages flowed and I just identified so much with these characters. They went through so much to gain so little...it really shows the power (or lack thereof) of humanity. I know this is a generic review, but I'm kind of tired after a day full of travel. Either way, I'm really glad I read the book and will pass it off to the next reader shortly. Thanks for your patience, everyone!
[Sent off today to arugh48187 in India, from Lewiston NY. Sent 'Priority Mail,' so it should arrive in 10-14 days.]
Thanks for sharing. I will be posting this one to the next reader shortly.
Released 15 yrs ago (8/5/2008 UTC) at Bangalore, Karnataka, India, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Katyoun asked to be skipped, so this one is going out to Plinius. Happy reading!
'She had no desire to go back to them, no desire to change the way things were now. When stones lying warm in the sun were turned over, they exposed the cold, damp earth underneath; and that was where Masako had burrowed deep. There was no trace of warmth in this dark earth, yet for a bug curled up tight in it, it was a peaceful and familiar world.'
When they meet in the end, there's a burst of recognition, acceptation and energy, and both manage to break from their isolation.
Natsuo Kirino works out her characters exceptionally well, I couldn't find a flaw. The world she describes feels very cold and full of sexism, but then I've often heard that Japanese men still cannot see women as their equals. Thanks for sharing, meexia!
Bilbi writes that she has already read the book, so now I'm waiting for Fifna's address.
travels to Fifna today
Have PMed Midlifecrisis for their address.
Sent to Midlifecrisis today!
Thanks for sharing this book with me Meexia.
I'm trying to let this ray go on an other round in the Netherlands.
- rroos --> the book is here now
- Betje
Released 15 yrs ago (10/20/2008 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Enjoy :)
Edit 22-12: Apologies, apologies, this book stayed with me for far too long... Once I started I almost couldn't stop reading. What a gruesome but good read...As I stated above: I have another book of this author in my private collection, Grotesque, and although it counts more than 500 pages, I'm gonna try to start it soon! Thanx for sharing this book! I will send it to the next one on the list.
Released 15 yrs ago (12/22/2008 UTC) at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way to Betje, have a good read!
I have three other rings waiting plus exams coming up, so it will be next year before I will start reading OUT.
It has some nice unexpected turns, it intrigues untill the last pages.
I am not sure if I have to send this book to some-one else. I will check with Wijntje first.
Released 14 yrs ago (6/20/2009 UTC) at OBCZ-Schlemmer (gesloten) in Den Haag, Zuid-Holland Netherlands
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
This book has been with me far too long! Time to travel on. I will take it to Den Haag, and leave it in OBCZ Schlemmer (near Central Station). I hope it will find a new reader soon!