Tag: Japanese author

Yoko Ogawa’s—The memory police *****

A novelist lives alone on a remote island since her parents have been removed by the memory police. It is not only people who have disappeared, but objects too—hats, the ferry service to the northern island—things that are also removed from the inhabitants’ memories. Every now and then when she wakes, she senses something else has disappeared.

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Keigo Higashino’s—Malice*****

If you’re a mystery buff, you’ll want to read Malice.

When Nonoguchi’s friend, successful author, Hidaka is murdered in his home office, Detective Kaga is assigned to the case. He was once a teacher at the same school as Nonoguchi, and it doesn’t take him long to suspect Nonoguchi murdered the friend he has known since his school days. But Detective Kaga needs a motive otherwise the case will not hold up in court. What could Nonoguchi’s reason be to murder a friend who has helped him during his middle school years and introduced him to an editor so his children’s stories can be published? Detective Kaga is persistent, but can he outwit Nonoguchi?

Yoko Ogawa’s — Hotel Iris

Mari quits school after her father’s death to help her demanding mother run the Hotel Iris. Behind the reception desk she witnesses a prostitute scream abuse and storm out of the hotel, then hears the voice of the man from the hotel room and is intrigued. She spots him in the street one day and follows.

There are rumours about this man — that he killed his wife, but Mari can’t quell her attraction. Will she be safe with a man so much older than her? Will the rumours prove true? Or will something darker occur?

Read the Guardian’s review on the book cover — this is absolutely true of this macabre tale that I couldn’t put down.

Kobo Abe’s — The woman in the dunes ******

Over two decades ago I saw a haunting Japanese movie based on Kobo Abe’s book that has always stayed with me. It was time to read this strange story of a man who walks into the sand dunes in search of beetles that survive in this unique environment. When the day draws to a close, Niki seeks shelter in a strange village he encounters. He is billeted with a woman living alone and only when he wakes the next morning does he learn his fate. This unique story will have you spitting sand and brushing it off your shoulders with every page turn.