Comments on: Review: Battle Royale, Koushun Takami

By: Amy @ My Friend Amy

Amy @ My Friend Amy — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:43:01 +0000

I disagree a lot as you’ll learn today if you’re there. On one point especially, which is that I think Noriko is one of the best characters, perceptive and wise and also a girl. I don’t necessarily think being willing to kill makes you strong. But you have to also take cultural considerations into account and things are quite different in Japan. I actually ended up thinking this book dug a little deeper and was a little crueler than The Hunger Games. can’t wait to discuss!
.-= Amy @ My Friend Amy´s last blog ..Faith’n’Fiction Saturday: What are Your New Year’s Resolutions? =-.

By: cbjames

cbjames — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:59:42 +0000

I think it probably plays better in Japan. I only know it from the movie verson, but I understood it was meant to be a satire critiquing the dog-eat-dog mentality in Japanese schools which are very competitive and have several make-or-break exams etc. The movie was supposed to horrify viewers and make them re-think how teenagers are treated in Japan. I don't think it worked and I won't be reading either of the print versions. .-= cbjames´s last blog ..I'll Be Watching You by Charles de Lint =-.

By: zibilee

zibilee — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:12:31 +0000

This book seems like it just hashed out territory that has already been covered, and not in any exciting new way either. It sounds like a painful reading experience, and although you didn't absolutely hate it, I don't think I will be picking this one up. Thanks for the very frank review! .-= zibilee´s last blog ..The Lady Queen: The Notorious Reign of Joanna I, Queen of Naples, Jerusalem, and Sicily by Nancy Goldstone - 384 pgs =-.

By: S. Krishna

S. Krishna — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:13:23 +0000

Great, great, great review - you've given me a lot to think about! I completely agree that it went really fast. I think I liked it more than you, but I agree with many of the problems you had with it. I can't wait until our book club discussion! .-= S. Krishna´s last blog ..Her Mother’s Daughter – Julianne Lee =-.

By: Meghan

Meghan — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 08:24:54 +0000

All I read was the book – no manga or movie and to be honest I’m not really inclined to read/watch either. I also heard that the manga was the author’s ideal vision of the story, so I hope it works better for you!

By: Amanda

Amanda — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 04:43:03 +0000

Did you read the manga or the book based on the movie? I heard that the manga is far better (and I got it for Chrismukkah so it's in my tbr pile). .-= Amanda´s last blog ..Best Discoveries of 2009–Boston Places, Web Clips, and Recipes =-.

By: Aarti

Aarti — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 23:18:48 +0000

I remember the Twitter conversation around this book. Don't know if I'll be able to read it, but I must clearly get my hands on The Hunger Games... .-= Aarti´s last blog ..Sunday Salon: How many books do you read at a time? =-.

By: jennygirl

jennygirl — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:34:31 +0000

Since I just finished reading Hunger Games, I'll pass on this one. I have trouble with some books that are written for teenagers. Authors tend to write younger or something and that works my nerves. Thank you for the review. .-= jennygirl´s last blog ..2010 Challenges =-.

By: Beth F

Beth F — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 20:08:36 +0000

Gulp. I haven't started it yet. I plan to read as much as I can by book club. Actually, I flipped through it and it didn't draw me in. But I'm willing to try. .-= Beth F´s last blog ..Weekend Cooking: Movie Review: Julie & Julia =-.

By: heidenkind

heidenkind — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:39:38 +0000

I've had this book on my TBR pile for YEARS. I have to say, it sounds pretty horrible, especially the thing with the girls being weak and passive. Soooo annoying. .-= heidenkind´s last blog ..New Year's Readathon Wrap-Up =-.