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Out

By Natsuo Kirino, Stephen Snyder (Translator)

(64)

| Hardcover | 9784770029058

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Book Description

OUT was awarded the Grand Prix of the Mystery Writers of Japan in 1997-the Asian equivalent of an Edgar.
It is a dynamic example of the work of a new breed of Asian women writers excelling in the smart, hard-nosed, well-written, and realistically plotted mystery novel. Kirino' crime story can sContinue

OUT was awarded the Grand Prix of the Mystery Writers of Japan in 1997-the Asian equivalent of an Edgar.
It is a dynamic example of the work of a new breed of Asian women writers excelling in the smart, hard-nosed, well-written, and realistically plotted mystery novel. Kirino' crime story can stand comparison with the work of other top-notch Western women writers in this genre, like Sarah Paretsky and
Ruth Rendell.
The story-though a bare summary makes it seem merely brutal and bloodthirsty, when it is much more than that-focuses on four women who work together in a lunch-box factory in the suburbs of Tokyo. One of them suffers from spouse abuse and, unable to take it any longer, murders her husband and
appeals to her co-workers to help her dispose of the corpse. One of these friends---the brain behind the coverup-after cutting up the body in the bathroom of her house, has the other two dump it as garbage. The money from the man's life insurance is then divided among them. But this is only the
beginning. The successful, unpremeditated crime and the rewards it brings are the seed of other, premeditated schemes, escalating from one localized use of violence to a rash of similar deeds, with unpredictable outcomes for the women behind them.
As a study in the psychology of domestic repression and the dynamics of violent crime, OUT works on several levels, gripping the reader from its smoldering beginning to the fireburst of its finale.
In hardcover in its original language it sold over 300,000 copies, and a movie version will have its premiere in Tokyo at the end of 2002, with international distribution under discussion.

Critics

  • Murder sushi wrote

    Out by Natsuo Kirino, translated by Stephen Snyder 520pp, Vintage, £6.99 The western market for Japanese fiction and movies prefers its products laced with sex and ultraviolence, and it's even better if the killing and maiming is committed by women, ... (read full critics)

    guardian.co.uk published on Sat, 25 Sep 2010

  • Out

    OUT is the first English translation of a work by Japan's "Queen of Crime" OUT. One hopes more translations of her work will follow if OUT is typical of her work. Set in the working class underbelly of Tokyo's sprawling suburbs OUT makes a compelling ... (read full critics)

    asianreviewofbooks published on Wed, 1 Sep 2010

5 Reviews

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  • 1 person find this helpful

    A thriller about a gruesome murder in Tokyo. It depicts the dark side of human nature and the bottom social class in the Japanese society. A great story.

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    Tiny said on Apr 28, 2006 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

  • Extremly thrilling !! The writer made excellent con in character portrayal. The book is not about justice or humanity, it's about how desperation can turn your life upside down. May a person really cross the line when he/she is devastated ?? Read it and think about the issue.

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    Chloe Ho said on Oct 25, 2011 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

  • Japan - present

    I am still not sure what to think of this book... Yes, it is well written and the characters are described in depth, but the actions are grottesque and unbelievable (and cruel!). I didn't like the end at all.

    Characters: Masako, Yayoi, Kuniko, Yoshie

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    Mati said on Jun 15, 2010 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

  • Lost In Translation

    I was leant this novel by a friend - and was ultimately disappointed. It came recommended as 'the best book he'd ever read'. He can't of read many books. It's a bit turgid.

    Most books start well, dip in the middle and pound home to a strong finish. This is the exact opposite to those books. It ... (continue)

    I was leant this novel by a friend - and was ultimately disappointed. It came recommended as 'the best book he'd ever read'. He can't of read many books. It's a bit turgid.

    Most books start well, dip in the middle and pound home to a strong finish. This is the exact opposite to those books. It opens with a sluggish start, gets a bit interesting in the middle with a curveball and drops to a flaccid finish with a few apologies and an 'I'm sorry, this usually doesn't happen to me'.

    All I can say is there are far better books available. I guess it's definitely not the worst book I've read though.

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    Kieran Delaney said on Jul 8, 2009 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

  • Out

    This is a book that will stick with you for a while - extremely dark, but extremely riveting.

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    Readingrat said on Nov 27, 2007 | Add your feedback

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9784770029058 Hardcover $22.95 -- The Book Depository
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