Four housewives work the graveyard shift in a factory assembling lunch boxes. When one of them, the young and beautiful Yayoi, kills her husband, her friends helps her dispose of the body. Just when they think that they have warded off the police, a hoard of loan shark, private investigators and ex-con are hot on their trail. Will they get out of this alive?... and with a suitcase full of money?

While my husband finds the plot too slow-moving, I like how it dives into the psyche of each characters to make them real, and to provide a look into the less glamorous lives in Japan, especially that of immigrants. I do find some of the violent scenes hard to stomach though. (more the close-to-final scene rather than the cutting-up-body part, which has stopped many readers from moving forward.)

However, while I consider this a superb crime novel which fully deserves its awards, it doesn't change my mind that mystery and thrillers is not my favorite genre...

I will now save this for Rootmartin's Passport to the World vbb.

Just received - I chose this in rootmartin's virtual Passport to the World book box.
Thank you azuki

Definitely not for the squeamish, "Out" is a story of murder, revenge, desperation, even resignation. Very dramatic - and this was the author's first novel. Now looking for her next ones.


From Joe Hartlaub's review at bookreporter.com
"....Kirino, as is the case with the best of mystery writers, combines a strong plot with a canny description of contemporary Japanese mores and culture to make this an unforgettable work. While OUT was initially slow to attract literary attention in the United States, the gradual critical attention and word of mouth that it has achieved will undoubtedly result in much-deserved popularity. This is a novel that will be shared, and discussed, for some time to come."

"out" review at Bookreporter.com

This book is now back in Rootmartin's Passport to the World Virtual Book Box.

Mailing this book to Kiri tomorrow. All packed. Sorry it's been delayed.

It has just arrived.. my experience so far is YAY a package.. *opens* oooh! It's Out from eicuthbertson! and a postcard! How what a lovely postcard! (it is.. shame you can't see it!) and bookmarks! *eyes lovely snazzy bookmarks* That's it so far. So now I shall reluctantlt place this in "ye olde Mount TBR" and read it as soon as possible :D Thank you!