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The Devil's Whisper
Three deaths come in quick one girl jumps from the roof of a six-story building; another falls in front of a train; and a third is hit by a late-night taxi. But how are they related? And are they accidents, suicides -- or murder?
Slowly, the answers are uncovered by sixteen-year-old Mamoru, the nephew of the taxi driver currently being held by the police on charges of manslaughter for the death of the third victim.
Determined to help his uncle, Mamoru discovers that the girl killed by his uncle's taxi had participated in a devious scam to separate vulnerable men from their money, and that three of the four girls involved in the plot are now dead. When a powerful businessman reveals new evidence that could free
Mamoru's uncle, Mamoru decides he must go all out if he is to save the last of the four girls being targeted by the real killer.
And then the killer contacts him...
Slowly, the answers are uncovered by sixteen-year-old Mamoru, the nephew of the taxi driver currently being held by the police on charges of manslaughter for the death of the third victim.
Determined to help his uncle, Mamoru discovers that the girl killed by his uncle's taxi had participated in a devious scam to separate vulnerable men from their money, and that three of the four girls involved in the plot are now dead. When a powerful businessman reveals new evidence that could free
Mamoru's uncle, Mamoru decides he must go all out if he is to save the last of the four girls being targeted by the real killer.
And then the killer contacts him...
263 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1989
26 people are currently reading
1283 people want to read
About the author
Miyuki Miyabe
311 books548 followersSee also 宮部 みゆき (Japanese language profile) and 宮部美幸 (Chinese language profile).
Miyuki Miyabe (宮部みゆき Miyabe Miyuki) is a popular contemporary Japanese author active in a number of genres including science fiction, mystery fiction, historical fiction, social commentary, and juvenile fiction.
Miyabe started writing novels at the age of 23. She has been a prolific writer, publishing dozens of novels and winning many major literary prizes, including the Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize in 1993 for Kasha and the Naoki Prize in 1998 for Riyū [The Reason] (理由). A Japanese film adaptation of Riyû, directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi, was released in 2004.
Miyuki Miyabe (宮部みゆき Miyabe Miyuki) is a popular contemporary Japanese author active in a number of genres including science fiction, mystery fiction, historical fiction, social commentary, and juvenile fiction.
Miyabe started writing novels at the age of 23. She has been a prolific writer, publishing dozens of novels and winning many major literary prizes, including the Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize in 1993 for Kasha and the Naoki Prize in 1998 for Riyū [The Reason] (理由). A Japanese film adaptation of Riyû, directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi, was released in 2004.
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April 18, 2023
Mình hơi thất vọng vì câu chuyện khác với phần mô tả mình đọc được.
Và những gì mình đã đọc được từ những phần đầu: Một vụ tai nạn giao thông gây ra cái chết cho một cô gái trẻ. Mamoru - cậu thiếu niên sau cái chết của mẹ, đã chuyển đến Tokyo sống cùng gia đình của dì cậu ấy, nhà Asano. Đồng thời Mamoru cũng là cháu trai của người tài xế gây ra vụ tai nạn trên, cùng lúc đó Mamoru nhận được cuộc gọi từ một kẻ lạ, hắn cảm ơn họ vì đã gián tiếp giúp hắn giết chết cô gái kia.
Mình thích cách tác giả tạo nên không khí đáng sợ và khắc họa tâm lý sợ hãi của nhân vật. Đa phần câu chuyện đều đi sâu vào diễn biến tâm lý và quá khứ của các nhân vật, và điều đó được tác giả viết quá chi tiết, nên mình cảm thấy hơi chán và sau cùng nó không giúp gì nhiều cho diễn biến sau đó.
Nhân vật Mamoru rất thú vị, so với những người khác lo lắng trước những gì đang xảy ra, thì Mamoru lại thản nhiên bởi có một diều - Mamoru quá hiểu cách xã hội này đối xử với mọi người, quá khứ của Mamoru dạy cho cậu một sự chính chắn đến đáng sợ. Và mình quan tâm đến những diễn biến khó khăn từ vụ tai nạn ảnh hưởng đến cuộc sống của gia đình Asano.
Sau khoảng 60%, thì câu chuyện bắt đầu vào phần điều tra và sự ly kỳ bắt đầu tăng, Mamoru bắt đầu kết nối các sự kiện tưởng chừng chẳng liên quan. Dù thế thì mọi thứ vẫn rất chậm, thủ thuật giết người của hung thủ thì khó tin. Sau cùng điểm gây bất ngờ cho mình là cú twist ở phần cuối và nó đánh bại phán đoán của mình về thân phận của một nhân vật, và ít nhất nó cũng cho mình thấy quá khứ của Mamoru quá không dư thừa trong diễn biến truyện.
Và những gì mình đã đọc được từ những phần đầu: Một vụ tai nạn giao thông gây ra cái chết cho một cô gái trẻ. Mamoru - cậu thiếu niên sau cái chết của mẹ, đã chuyển đến Tokyo sống cùng gia đình của dì cậu ấy, nhà Asano. Đồng thời Mamoru cũng là cháu trai của người tài xế gây ra vụ tai nạn trên, cùng lúc đó Mamoru nhận được cuộc gọi từ một kẻ lạ, hắn cảm ơn họ vì đã gián tiếp giúp hắn giết chết cô gái kia.
Mình thích cách tác giả tạo nên không khí đáng sợ và khắc họa tâm lý sợ hãi của nhân vật. Đa phần câu chuyện đều đi sâu vào diễn biến tâm lý và quá khứ của các nhân vật, và điều đó được tác giả viết quá chi tiết, nên mình cảm thấy hơi chán và sau cùng nó không giúp gì nhiều cho diễn biến sau đó.
Nhân vật Mamoru rất thú vị, so với những người khác lo lắng trước những gì đang xảy ra, thì Mamoru lại thản nhiên bởi có một diều - Mamoru quá hiểu cách xã hội này đối xử với mọi người, quá khứ của Mamoru dạy cho cậu một sự chính chắn đến đáng sợ. Và mình quan tâm đến những diễn biến khó khăn từ vụ tai nạn ảnh hưởng đến cuộc sống của gia đình Asano.
Trong mắt Mamoru thành phố có tên Tokyo này trông như một con quái vật với bộ hàm sắt nhọn và tàn nhẫn, có thể cắn xé người ta thành từng mảnh.
Sau khoảng 60%, thì câu chuyện bắt đầu vào phần điều tra và sự ly kỳ bắt đầu tăng, Mamoru bắt đầu kết nối các sự kiện tưởng chừng chẳng liên quan. Dù thế thì mọi thứ vẫn rất chậm, thủ thuật giết người của hung thủ thì khó tin. Sau cùng điểm gây bất ngờ cho mình là cú twist ở phần cuối và nó đánh bại phán đoán của mình về thân phận của một nhân vật, và ít nhất nó cũng cho mình thấy quá khứ của Mamoru quá không dư thừa trong diễn biến truyện.
January 26, 2022
"Baik penggemar novel horor maupun novel misteri akan menikmati cerita yang mencekam ini dan tergoda untuk mencari karya-karya Miyabe lainnya." (Publisher Weekly)
Begitu testimoni yang tertulis di sampul belakang novel. Review di atas ga mengada-ngada. Aku berasa agak sakaw pingin baca karya Miyabe Sensei yang lain. Selain ini yang udah diterbitkan ke Indonesia baru yang All She Worths - Melacak Jejak terbitan GPU pada 2016.
Uwaaah. Harusnya diterjemahkan semuaaa, kayak Akiyoshi Rikako gitu. Dan aku ngerasa nyesel juga baru baca novel ini padahal udah beli setahun yang lalu. Nggak segera kubaca alasannya cuma karena... AKU TAKUT SAMA KOVERNYA BWAHAHAHAH! Padahal, isinya ternyata nggak seserem itu. Menyentuh malah (meski tetap mencekam). Karena itu tolonglah wahai para penerbit, jangan bikin kover novel misteri yang kelewat seram. Ntar pembaca unyu kayak saya malah takut buat baca hahaha...
Novel ini memperlihatkan keseimbangan antara elemen drama yang membuat pembaca merenungi banyak hal, dengan elemen ketegangan yang mencekam. Semua elemen ceritanya dari awal sampai akhir memang mendukung berjalannya plot utama. Superb.
Setelah menuntaskan novel misteri karya Miyuki Miyabe ini aku baru menyadari bahwa novel misteri nggak cuma soal kasus kriminal, ketegangan yang mencekam, dan trik pembunuhan atau trik ngeles yang rumit. Kebenaran dan kejahatan tidak disajikan secara hitam-putih, karena pada dasarnya manusia adalah makhluk yang abu-abu. Elemen drama dalam novel ini justru memancing banyaknya perenungan soal naluri dan hati nurani manusia. Godaan untuk berbuat jahat dan membalaskan dendam. Bahwa setelah melakukan tindakan kejahatan pun umumnya manusia akan merasa bersalah dan mencari cara untuk melakukan penebusan (kecuali kalau mereka psikopat). Juga bahwa perlu ada sisi manusiawi ketika hendak membeberkan sebuah fakta. "Kebenaran" yang dibeber tanpa filter jadinya bakal kayak media-media online dan TV masa kini yang beberapa kali didapati mengabaikan etika dan moral sebagai manusia dalam melakukan pemberitaannya.
***
Konflik utamanya adalah tentang Mamoru Kusaka, pemuda SMA yang berusaha menyelidiki misteri di balik kasus penabrakan yang dialami pamannya yang sedang mengemudi taksi. Saat itu malam, tiba-tiba seorang perempuan berlari begitu kencang hingga menabrak taksi yang dikendarai pamannya, Taizo Asano. Karena sang korban, Yoko Sugano langsung mati, paman Mamoru langsung ditangkap polisi. Ketiadaan saksi untuk memperkuat pembelaan pamannya bahwa lampu lalu lintas saat itu sedang berwarna hijau untuk kendaraan, membuat pamannya terancam hukuman yang serius. Dengan segera kestabilan keluarga Asano pun tergoncang.
Mamoru kemudian mengalami kilas balik dengan kasus yang menimpa keluarganya sendiri. Ketika ayahnya, Toshio Kusada menghilang setelah terbukti melakukan penggelapan uang di tempat kerjanya di balai kota Hirakawa. Keluarganya langsung jadi bulan-bulanan. Ibunya kesulitan mendapat pekerjaan, dan dirinya terkucil dari pergaulan teman-temannya.
"Diskriminasinya dimulai dari orang-orang dewasa, tetapi prasangka merupakan penyakit yang sangat kuat, dan tak lama kemudian hal itu mulai menjangkiti anak-anak. (halaman 108)"
Meski demikian ibunya tetap bersikeras tinggal di sana dan akhirnya berhasil juga mendapatkan pekerjaan. Hidup keluarga Kusada sebenarnya akan terbebas jika mereka meninggalkan Hirakawa. Tapi rupanya sang ibu, Keiko, percaya bahwa suaminya suatu saat akan kembali. Harapan yang sayangnya tak kunjung terwujud hingga akhirnya dia sendiri meninggal, sehingga Mamoru harus tinggal bersama keluarga bibinya, Yoriko Asano. Tentu saja ia yang paling tahu penderitaan yang dialami oleh keluarga pelaku kejahatan. Semua itu akhirnya menggerakkan Mamoru untuk melakukan penyelidikan pribadi dengan menelusuri tempat terjadinya kecelakaan dan... membobol kunci apartemen Yoko Sugano untuk mencari petunjuk.
***
Kemampuan Mamoru membobol kunci pun dijelaskan dengan detail, dan terutama ada alasan yang logis tentang bagaimana seorang anak SMA bisa menguasai kemampuan ganjil seperti itu. Dan hal itu disajikan dalam bentuk drama yang tak kalah menyentuhnya. Tentang sosok seorang kakek pensiunan tukang kunci yang kemudian berteman dengan Mamoru dan mewariskan kemampuannya pada anak itu sejak Mamoru masih sangat kecil. Tidak hanya itu, sang kakek juga mengajarkan soal filosofi dari kunci, dan bahwa ia percaya jika Mamoru tidak akan membuka kunci yang bukan jadi haknya.
Berawal dari penyelidikan dalam apartemen Yoko Sugano, plot pun mulai bergerak maju. Latar belakang kasus itu ternyata lebih rumit karena punya hubungan dengan peristiwa bunuh diri dua wanita cantik yang lain. Yang satu menerjunkan diri dari puncak gedung sampai otaknya berceceran (iya, memang dijelaskan sedetail itu. Hegh), sementara wanita yang satunya lagi menabrakkan diri ke kereta api sampai... kepalanya putus dan tersangkut di sambungan antara dua gerbong kereta. YHA! Bagusnya sih... penjabarannya disampaikan dengan "dingin" dan meskipun jelas mencekam, nggak sampai bikin terbayang-bayang apalagi mimpi buruk. Hueh.
Semua kasus itu jelas disimpulkan sebagai kasus bunuh diri (kecuali kasus Yoko Sugano yang tampak seperti kecelakaan biasa). Pihak berwajib tak tahu bahwa sang pembunuh punya metode untuk mengendalikan para korbannya sehingga mereka sendiri yang berlari menuju kematian. Tapi bagaimana cara untuk membuat orang lain bunuh diri secara suka rela???
Dan kesemua kasus tersebut punya benang merah, sebuah artikel di satu majalah dewasa bernama "Information Channel" yang membahas secara gamblang soal fenomena Deeto Shouhou , penipuan uang berkedok kencan. Dari empat orang perempuan yang diliput di dalam artikel itu, tiga sudah mati. Tinggal satu yang masih hidup, Kazuko Takagi dan Mamoru harus berpacu dengan waktu agar perempuan yang terakhir ini tidak mengalami kematian mengerikan yang sama.
***
Bisa dibilang pelaku pembunuhan dalam novel ini punya motif yang sangat kuat untuk melakukan kejahatannya. Kepedihannya terasa sekali, terutama karena para korbannya juga bisa dibilang bukan 100% orang baik-baik. Toh sang pembunuh juga masih punya hati nurani untuk menghubungi Mamoru Kusada via telepon dan memberikan petunjuk karena perbuatannya ternyata berefek fatal bagi pihak yang sama sekali tak bersalah: Taizo Asano, paman Mamoru.
Setelah mengetahui fakta di balik penyebab kematian Yoko Sugano, jelas Mamoru lega. Tapi apakah dia langsung membeberkan fakta itu kepada pengacara yang menangani kasus pamannya? Tidak. Lagi-lagi dia menggunakan hati nuraninya. Berita itu pasti akan jadi santapan media dan menurutnya itu akan membunuh Yoko Sugano dua kali. Untungnya kemudian muncul saksi mata, Koichi Yoshitake seorang direktur di perusahaan besar Shin Nippon Enterprise. Yoshitake ternyata kemudian punya peran dan kaitan yang lebih rumit dalam hidup Mamoru. Teka-teki baru mulai terbentuk di benak Mamoru setelah dia tak sengaja menemukan cincin kawin milik ayahnya menggelinding dari saku Yoshitake.
***
Dari beberapa review yang kubaca, beberapa pembaca yang merupakan penikmat genre misteri murni menganggap bahwa novel ini "curang" karena sama sekali tak menyisakan ruang untuk menebak bagi pembaca. Detail twist dan kejutannya terus dibuka perlahan dan seratus persen berada dalam kendali penulis. Ada yang menganggapnya wajar karena novel ini termasuk novel yang ditulis Miyuki Miyabe di masa-masa awal karirnya, sehingga tidak sebagus novel-novelnya yang lebih baru.
Aku mikir, "Yang kayak gini aja dicap kurang bagus, yang bagus gimana coba???" Seperti yang aku bilang di atas, novel ini punya banyak subplot. Ada percabangan drama bagi beberapa tokoh kunci. Namun, ajaibnya semua itu bisa disajikan dengan sangat rapi dan fokus. Semua detail mengarah pada penyelesaian akhir. Sama sekali tak ada yang mubazir. Bahkan kasus yang tampaknya acak seperti kasus pengutilan dan iklan subliminal di toko buku Laurel tempat Mamoru bekerja pun berguna untuk membangun pemahaman pembaca terhadap metode pembunuhan yang baru dikuak di akhir buku.
Begitu juga dengan adanya tokoh Yoichi Miyashita, anak ringkih jago melukis yang sering dirundung oleh siswa berandalan bernama Miura. Juga kasus menghilangnya uang kas anak-anak klub basket yang kemudian dituduhkan pada Mamoru. Semua itu menambah pemahaman dan simpati terhadap Mamoru sebagai "anak yang ayah dan pamannya telah melakukan kejahatan". Yoichi juga memunculkan sisi lembut dan pelindung Mamoru yang di sepanjang cerita lebih banyak digambarkan sebagai anak yang dingin.
Sebagai protagonis, Mamoru pun punya sisi gelap. Sisi gelap itu pertama kali dimunculkan kepada pembaca saat Mamoru mengancam balik Miura yang terus mengganggu ketenangannya di sekolah. Hal itu disadari oleh sang pembunuh sehingga ia dengan tenang menjelaskan jati diri dan metode pembunuhannya pada Mamoru, bahkan menggoda pemuda itu untuk melakukan hal yang sama. Mamoru pun digambarkan mengalami dorongan yang kuat untuk membunuh begitu menyadari fakta di balik menghilangnya sang ayah selama 12 tahun. Dan kita sebagai pembaca digiring untuk memahami semua sensasi "devil's whisper" yang dirasakan para tokohnya terkait tindak kejahatan yang sudah dan akan dilakukan.
Satu yang kusayangkan, sih. Romansa antara Mamoru dengan tokoh Saori alias Anego tidak terlalu disorot. Hahaha. Receh, ya. Tapi itu pilihan yang bijak. Karena memang semua elemen cerita di novel ini tampaknya sudah punya porsi yang pas. Kalau ditambah bumbu romance bisa jadi nanti ceritanya bakal ke-sway. Meskipun adegan Anego dan Mamoru tidak terlalu banyak, tapi chemistrynya tetap terasa kental. Mamoru beruntung karena meskipun hidupnya sangat pahit, ia selalu dikelilingi sekelompok kecil orang yang benar-benar memperhatikan dan mengkhawatirkannya. Mungkin memang kehadiran Anego adalah untuk mewakili para pembaca memeluk Mamoru seperti kata seorang reviewer di sini.
Dan yah, harus belajar berapa lama biar bisa bikin cerita sepadat Miyuki Miyabe sensei, Ya Rabb? Hahahaha...
Begitu testimoni yang tertulis di sampul belakang novel. Review di atas ga mengada-ngada. Aku berasa agak sakaw pingin baca karya Miyabe Sensei yang lain. Selain ini yang udah diterbitkan ke Indonesia baru yang All She Worths - Melacak Jejak terbitan GPU pada 2016.
Uwaaah. Harusnya diterjemahkan semuaaa, kayak Akiyoshi Rikako gitu. Dan aku ngerasa nyesel juga baru baca novel ini padahal udah beli setahun yang lalu. Nggak segera kubaca alasannya cuma karena... AKU TAKUT SAMA KOVERNYA BWAHAHAHAH! Padahal, isinya ternyata nggak seserem itu. Menyentuh malah (meski tetap mencekam). Karena itu tolonglah wahai para penerbit, jangan bikin kover novel misteri yang kelewat seram. Ntar pembaca unyu kayak saya malah takut buat baca hahaha...
Novel ini memperlihatkan keseimbangan antara elemen drama yang membuat pembaca merenungi banyak hal, dengan elemen ketegangan yang mencekam. Semua elemen ceritanya dari awal sampai akhir memang mendukung berjalannya plot utama. Superb.
Setelah menuntaskan novel misteri karya Miyuki Miyabe ini aku baru menyadari bahwa novel misteri nggak cuma soal kasus kriminal, ketegangan yang mencekam, dan trik pembunuhan atau trik ngeles yang rumit. Kebenaran dan kejahatan tidak disajikan secara hitam-putih, karena pada dasarnya manusia adalah makhluk yang abu-abu. Elemen drama dalam novel ini justru memancing banyaknya perenungan soal naluri dan hati nurani manusia. Godaan untuk berbuat jahat dan membalaskan dendam. Bahwa setelah melakukan tindakan kejahatan pun umumnya manusia akan merasa bersalah dan mencari cara untuk melakukan penebusan (kecuali kalau mereka psikopat). Juga bahwa perlu ada sisi manusiawi ketika hendak membeberkan sebuah fakta. "Kebenaran" yang dibeber tanpa filter jadinya bakal kayak media-media online dan TV masa kini yang beberapa kali didapati mengabaikan etika dan moral sebagai manusia dalam melakukan pemberitaannya.
***
Konflik utamanya adalah tentang Mamoru Kusaka, pemuda SMA yang berusaha menyelidiki misteri di balik kasus penabrakan yang dialami pamannya yang sedang mengemudi taksi. Saat itu malam, tiba-tiba seorang perempuan berlari begitu kencang hingga menabrak taksi yang dikendarai pamannya, Taizo Asano. Karena sang korban, Yoko Sugano langsung mati, paman Mamoru langsung ditangkap polisi. Ketiadaan saksi untuk memperkuat pembelaan pamannya bahwa lampu lalu lintas saat itu sedang berwarna hijau untuk kendaraan, membuat pamannya terancam hukuman yang serius. Dengan segera kestabilan keluarga Asano pun tergoncang.
Mamoru kemudian mengalami kilas balik dengan kasus yang menimpa keluarganya sendiri. Ketika ayahnya, Toshio Kusada menghilang setelah terbukti melakukan penggelapan uang di tempat kerjanya di balai kota Hirakawa. Keluarganya langsung jadi bulan-bulanan. Ibunya kesulitan mendapat pekerjaan, dan dirinya terkucil dari pergaulan teman-temannya.
"Diskriminasinya dimulai dari orang-orang dewasa, tetapi prasangka merupakan penyakit yang sangat kuat, dan tak lama kemudian hal itu mulai menjangkiti anak-anak. (halaman 108)"
Meski demikian ibunya tetap bersikeras tinggal di sana dan akhirnya berhasil juga mendapatkan pekerjaan. Hidup keluarga Kusada sebenarnya akan terbebas jika mereka meninggalkan Hirakawa. Tapi rupanya sang ibu, Keiko, percaya bahwa suaminya suatu saat akan kembali. Harapan yang sayangnya tak kunjung terwujud hingga akhirnya dia sendiri meninggal, sehingga Mamoru harus tinggal bersama keluarga bibinya, Yoriko Asano. Tentu saja ia yang paling tahu penderitaan yang dialami oleh keluarga pelaku kejahatan. Semua itu akhirnya menggerakkan Mamoru untuk melakukan penyelidikan pribadi dengan menelusuri tempat terjadinya kecelakaan dan... membobol kunci apartemen Yoko Sugano untuk mencari petunjuk.
***
Kemampuan Mamoru membobol kunci pun dijelaskan dengan detail, dan terutama ada alasan yang logis tentang bagaimana seorang anak SMA bisa menguasai kemampuan ganjil seperti itu. Dan hal itu disajikan dalam bentuk drama yang tak kalah menyentuhnya. Tentang sosok seorang kakek pensiunan tukang kunci yang kemudian berteman dengan Mamoru dan mewariskan kemampuannya pada anak itu sejak Mamoru masih sangat kecil. Tidak hanya itu, sang kakek juga mengajarkan soal filosofi dari kunci, dan bahwa ia percaya jika Mamoru tidak akan membuka kunci yang bukan jadi haknya.
Berawal dari penyelidikan dalam apartemen Yoko Sugano, plot pun mulai bergerak maju. Latar belakang kasus itu ternyata lebih rumit karena punya hubungan dengan peristiwa bunuh diri dua wanita cantik yang lain. Yang satu menerjunkan diri dari puncak gedung sampai otaknya berceceran (iya, memang dijelaskan sedetail itu. Hegh), sementara wanita yang satunya lagi menabrakkan diri ke kereta api sampai... kepalanya putus dan tersangkut di sambungan antara dua gerbong kereta. YHA! Bagusnya sih... penjabarannya disampaikan dengan "dingin" dan meskipun jelas mencekam, nggak sampai bikin terbayang-bayang apalagi mimpi buruk. Hueh.
Semua kasus itu jelas disimpulkan sebagai kasus bunuh diri (kecuali kasus Yoko Sugano yang tampak seperti kecelakaan biasa). Pihak berwajib tak tahu bahwa sang pembunuh punya metode untuk mengendalikan para korbannya sehingga mereka sendiri yang berlari menuju kematian. Tapi bagaimana cara untuk membuat orang lain bunuh diri secara suka rela???
Dan kesemua kasus tersebut punya benang merah, sebuah artikel di satu majalah dewasa bernama "Information Channel" yang membahas secara gamblang soal fenomena Deeto Shouhou , penipuan uang berkedok kencan. Dari empat orang perempuan yang diliput di dalam artikel itu, tiga sudah mati. Tinggal satu yang masih hidup, Kazuko Takagi dan Mamoru harus berpacu dengan waktu agar perempuan yang terakhir ini tidak mengalami kematian mengerikan yang sama.
***
Bisa dibilang pelaku pembunuhan dalam novel ini punya motif yang sangat kuat untuk melakukan kejahatannya. Kepedihannya terasa sekali, terutama karena para korbannya juga bisa dibilang bukan 100% orang baik-baik. Toh sang pembunuh juga masih punya hati nurani untuk menghubungi Mamoru Kusada via telepon dan memberikan petunjuk karena perbuatannya ternyata berefek fatal bagi pihak yang sama sekali tak bersalah: Taizo Asano, paman Mamoru.
Setelah mengetahui fakta di balik penyebab kematian Yoko Sugano, jelas Mamoru lega. Tapi apakah dia langsung membeberkan fakta itu kepada pengacara yang menangani kasus pamannya? Tidak. Lagi-lagi dia menggunakan hati nuraninya. Berita itu pasti akan jadi santapan media dan menurutnya itu akan membunuh Yoko Sugano dua kali. Untungnya kemudian muncul saksi mata, Koichi Yoshitake seorang direktur di perusahaan besar Shin Nippon Enterprise. Yoshitake ternyata kemudian punya peran dan kaitan yang lebih rumit dalam hidup Mamoru. Teka-teki baru mulai terbentuk di benak Mamoru setelah dia tak sengaja menemukan cincin kawin milik ayahnya menggelinding dari saku Yoshitake.
***
Dari beberapa review yang kubaca, beberapa pembaca yang merupakan penikmat genre misteri murni menganggap bahwa novel ini "curang" karena sama sekali tak menyisakan ruang untuk menebak bagi pembaca. Detail twist dan kejutannya terus dibuka perlahan dan seratus persen berada dalam kendali penulis. Ada yang menganggapnya wajar karena novel ini termasuk novel yang ditulis Miyuki Miyabe di masa-masa awal karirnya, sehingga tidak sebagus novel-novelnya yang lebih baru.
Aku mikir, "Yang kayak gini aja dicap kurang bagus, yang bagus gimana coba???" Seperti yang aku bilang di atas, novel ini punya banyak subplot. Ada percabangan drama bagi beberapa tokoh kunci. Namun, ajaibnya semua itu bisa disajikan dengan sangat rapi dan fokus. Semua detail mengarah pada penyelesaian akhir. Sama sekali tak ada yang mubazir. Bahkan kasus yang tampaknya acak seperti kasus pengutilan dan iklan subliminal di toko buku Laurel tempat Mamoru bekerja pun berguna untuk membangun pemahaman pembaca terhadap metode pembunuhan yang baru dikuak di akhir buku.
Begitu juga dengan adanya tokoh Yoichi Miyashita, anak ringkih jago melukis yang sering dirundung oleh siswa berandalan bernama Miura. Juga kasus menghilangnya uang kas anak-anak klub basket yang kemudian dituduhkan pada Mamoru. Semua itu menambah pemahaman dan simpati terhadap Mamoru sebagai "anak yang ayah dan pamannya telah melakukan kejahatan". Yoichi juga memunculkan sisi lembut dan pelindung Mamoru yang di sepanjang cerita lebih banyak digambarkan sebagai anak yang dingin.
Sebagai protagonis, Mamoru pun punya sisi gelap. Sisi gelap itu pertama kali dimunculkan kepada pembaca saat Mamoru mengancam balik Miura yang terus mengganggu ketenangannya di sekolah. Hal itu disadari oleh sang pembunuh sehingga ia dengan tenang menjelaskan jati diri dan metode pembunuhannya pada Mamoru, bahkan menggoda pemuda itu untuk melakukan hal yang sama. Mamoru pun digambarkan mengalami dorongan yang kuat untuk membunuh begitu menyadari fakta di balik menghilangnya sang ayah selama 12 tahun. Dan kita sebagai pembaca digiring untuk memahami semua sensasi "devil's whisper" yang dirasakan para tokohnya terkait tindak kejahatan yang sudah dan akan dilakukan.
Satu yang kusayangkan, sih. Romansa antara Mamoru dengan tokoh Saori alias Anego tidak terlalu disorot. Hahaha. Receh, ya. Tapi itu pilihan yang bijak. Karena memang semua elemen cerita di novel ini tampaknya sudah punya porsi yang pas. Kalau ditambah bumbu romance bisa jadi nanti ceritanya bakal ke-sway. Meskipun adegan Anego dan Mamoru tidak terlalu banyak, tapi chemistrynya tetap terasa kental. Mamoru beruntung karena meskipun hidupnya sangat pahit, ia selalu dikelilingi sekelompok kecil orang yang benar-benar memperhatikan dan mengkhawatirkannya. Mungkin memang kehadiran Anego adalah untuk mewakili para pembaca memeluk Mamoru seperti kata seorang reviewer di sini.
Dan yah, harus belajar berapa lama biar bisa bikin cerita sepadat Miyuki Miyabe sensei, Ya Rabb? Hahahaha...
July 22, 2015
I chose the book because of the cover, that looks really scary. Of course I don't mean the American version,
but the Czech one. Didn't read annotation, because I couldn't looked away. That cover. Ingenious. I mean, what else would be a cover of the horror book than that with Samara (that Samara)? Yes, right now there's a big lightning and it all hit somewhere awfully close. And I think I peed. This time really.
The main heroine is sixteen years old Mamoru living with his aunt, uncle and cousin in Tokio, Japan. Mamoru's father, director's assistant, was accused of embezzlement of money. His mother believed her husband is innocent and was still wainting for him to return home. Request rejected - she eventually died of a heart attack.
The story begins at the moment when a young woman jogs under the wheels of Mamoru's uncle's car. He's employed as a taxi driver and he hadn't a single accident until now.
This section, beginning, was a damn test of patience for me. All that Japanese names! Mamoru Kusaka, Maki Asuno, Yoko, Hašimoto... can't believe I still remember that. Absolutely normal thing for the patriots, suffering for me.
Another thing. The beginning was just boring. I wanted to gave up. I flipped through the pages counted how many of them have left by the end of the chapter. And then bam! I started to have fun. Mamoru had the main contributor on this, big charmer.
Where were we? The collision pulls a chain of events. The Devil's Whisper initiate us into the mysteries of locksmithing , tells us something about the ''bounty mistresses'' and we'll learn more about hypnosis. I wouldn't call this book a horror book. I was disappointed at this point.
Mamoru had strong moments. Summary - In addition, he can unlock almost every locks he's not afraid to scare his rival to death or hop in a cab with a killer on his left. I think of him as the best character what I've read about so far this year. And guys. He works in a bookstore.
It came to tears. The end is... heartbreaking. A little touching, and that moment when you'll find out the truth about it, is priceless. I would give it a five-stars rating, but all that stuff (Japanese names, beginning...), it's just my handicap.
but the Czech one. Didn't read annotation, because I couldn't looked away. That cover. Ingenious. I mean, what else would be a cover of the horror book than that with Samara (that Samara)? Yes, right now there's a big lightning and it all hit somewhere awfully close. And I think I peed. This time really.
The main heroine is sixteen years old Mamoru living with his aunt, uncle and cousin in Tokio, Japan. Mamoru's father, director's assistant, was accused of embezzlement of money. His mother believed her husband is innocent and was still wainting for him to return home. Request rejected - she eventually died of a heart attack.
The story begins at the moment when a young woman jogs under the wheels of Mamoru's uncle's car. He's employed as a taxi driver and he hadn't a single accident until now.
This section, beginning, was a damn test of patience for me. All that Japanese names! Mamoru Kusaka, Maki Asuno, Yoko, Hašimoto... can't believe I still remember that. Absolutely normal thing for the patriots, suffering for me.
Another thing. The beginning was just boring. I wanted to gave up. I flipped through the pages counted how many of them have left by the end of the chapter. And then bam! I started to have fun. Mamoru had the main contributor on this, big charmer.
Where were we? The collision pulls a chain of events. The Devil's Whisper initiate us into the mysteries of locksmithing , tells us something about the ''bounty mistresses'' and we'll learn more about hypnosis. I wouldn't call this book a horror book. I was disappointed at this point.
Mamoru had strong moments. Summary - In addition, he can unlock almost every locks he's not afraid to scare his rival to death or hop in a cab with a killer on his left. I think of him as the best character what I've read about so far this year. And guys. He works in a bookstore.
It came to tears. The end is... heartbreaking. A little touching, and that moment when you'll find out the truth about it, is priceless. I would give it a five-stars rating, but all that stuff (Japanese names, beginning...), it's just my handicap.
February 23, 2022
Esto es una opinión. No es reseña ni un análisis del libro
Miyuki Miyabe sin duda, no es Natsuo Kirino (ni Masako Togawa).
No sé si es mi imaginación pero esta autora es un poquito conservadora. Los libros de Natsuo Kirino pueden ser reivindicado como feministas no así los de Miyuki Miyabe, mas bien lo contrario.
Esto es una observación no es que este exigiendo que todas las autoras sean feminista ni mucho menos.
En su otra novela La sombra del Kasha y en El susurro del Diablo crítica la sociedad de consumo no desde una posición anti capitalista sino desde una tradicionalista, evocando valores tradicionales comunitario ante el individualismo económico liberal.
Recuerdo que el final de La sombra del Kasha no me término de convencer, ahora creo que es porque no pone el foco en que la el capitalismo financiero y la sociedad de consumo, es a la protagonista que la responsabiliza como individuo, o mas bien como Mujer.
Sobra decir que esto lo escribo desde una perspectiva "Occidental", es decir sin tomar en cuenta la sociedad japonesa y sus Usos y costumbres porque en verdad no importa. Vivimos en un mundo globalizado y el sexismo y el conservadurismo lo siguen siendo en cualquier parte.
Miyuki Miyabe sin duda, no es Natsuo Kirino (ni Masako Togawa).
No sé si es mi imaginación pero esta autora es un poquito conservadora. Los libros de Natsuo Kirino pueden ser reivindicado como feministas no así los de Miyuki Miyabe, mas bien lo contrario.
Esto es una observación no es que este exigiendo que todas las autoras sean feminista ni mucho menos.
En su otra novela La sombra del Kasha y en El susurro del Diablo crítica la sociedad de consumo no desde una posición anti capitalista sino desde una tradicionalista, evocando valores tradicionales comunitario ante el individualismo económico liberal.
Recuerdo que el final de La sombra del Kasha no me término de convencer, ahora creo que es porque no pone el foco en que la el capitalismo financiero y la sociedad de consumo, es a la protagonista que la responsabiliza como individuo, o mas bien como Mujer.
Sobra decir que esto lo escribo desde una perspectiva "Occidental", es decir sin tomar en cuenta la sociedad japonesa y sus Usos y costumbres porque en verdad no importa. Vivimos en un mundo globalizado y el sexismo y el conservadurismo lo siguen siendo en cualquier parte.
December 4, 2018
There are books destined to be classics, or immortals. Books with their attractive plots seem to call to the readers like the magic book “Neverending Story”. I have to confess something to the readers when I concluded my review about Gokumonto I begged knelt to the publishing Quaterni to write the review of this novel “The Devil Whisper”. I remind who was that it makes that this book captivated my heart. It was his wonderful plot written in the hardcover of the book. A teen who demonstrated the innocence of his uncle who was a taxi driver investigating the apparently accidental death of three girls and then the murderer showed to him.
Miyuki Miyabe revealed in my life. The first time that I have news about Miyaki Miyabe was for her novel Crossfire (I do not read Crossfire yet, but I have in my shelve ready to do it). Crossfire appeared in the book the” 1001 books you have to read before you die”. It is a novel with echoes of the writers Stephen King, and Dean Koontz about the topic of the revenge. At this moment I have not count I mistrust of the reviewers but in this occasion they were right.
My first direct contact with Miyuki Miyabe was the novel shadow family (in Spain the translation was different to the English translation in Spain was called R.P.G). I was interested in this novel because I was commotioned by a crime happened in Spain the famous Role Crime, which the press used to struggle the Role Players game (unfairly). The plot was a bit different, but it was suggestive. One of the gift who has Miyuki Miyabe is telling with the talent of prophecy. This novel with the rise of the networks, and other applications is totally possible the possibility to create a virtual family. The book it was a prodigious of mastery near to the theatre play. With all is the less interesting of theirs although it was a blasphemy to say because all books who wrote Miyuki Miyabe were excellent. After I read .All she was worth unfortunately, sadly real with the economical crash. It is the story of woman harassment with the debts, and she was pursued by the yakuza. I have not words to “Brave Story” that I did no say previously. A book revolution the fantasy genre with two powerful stories in the real and the magic world. It is not an escape way to the reality. This novel is a strong punch to the reality for the report topics that appeared in this novel. The drama of the divorce, the domestic violence, the bullying, the racism and the fanaticism religion (in words of the emeritus Pope Benedict XVI is the fake of the real faith). It is a pity that some publishing give total support to some sub products in the world of the fantasy genre meanwhile wonderful books like Brave Story delay to arrive our country, and he passed with the readers paid the attention to this book should have it. I did not dare to say that is the definitive book to the Role, and Video Games, but it is a very decisive book.
Despite of this my favorite novel who wrote Miyuki Miyabe is the “Devil Whisper”. The first advantage of this novel is a fact that Miyuki Miyabe writes very well, great writing. She produced the sensation that writing is easy, but you need resources to write. There is not any moment the suspense fell. It is a canonic book, perfect. The second advantage is his lovely main character (very well accompanied by a gallery of excellent secondary characters). Mamoru reminded to me to Rollo Martins the amateur detective who appeared in “The third man”. The children’s of the Miyuki Miyabe`s novel has a gothic childhood, similar to the Charles Dickens`s boys. The children of Miyuki Miyabe or are divorced, or they are adopted children without themselves were not conscious, or his father escaped (with the family in an embarrassed situation). They are characters who suffered (how said a brilliant cinematographic reviewer) “the absence of the father”. In the novel there was a reference to the novelist Gay Talese. There a similarity with the Orson Scott Card`s children like Bean, and Ender they are forced to be precocious, and mature before they had desired. However Mamoru is not an extremely gifted person. He is a normal child with a talent he could open all kind of doors courtesy of his friend Grapms whose advise will be essential to the novel to Mamoru defeat in his own ordeal. To the gallery of secondary characters the Mamoru`s chief it is surprised. It is the chief that everybody would like to have it. He reminded to me to the Potter`s chief in the Grossmith`s brothers “Daily of a Mr. Nobody”. A part of this the polices in the Miyuki Miyabe`s novels different to others detection novels are fair, gentle and sympathetic. Other of the pillars of this novel is the environments, where Mamoru interacted. This places the family`s house, the job, and the Secondary School are alive. One of the attractive to the Japan lovers is the description of the city of Tokyo with his rivers, and the rains made the rivers flooded is a metaphor, of the Mamoru`s soul. Other strong point is the beginning Miyuki Miyabe used the newspaper chronicle to tell the three apparently death of this novel without saving the cruelty, and the violence of the deaths. With a sinister man stuck the shorts of the paper. Other virtues are the different topics that appeared in the novel the elimination of the presumed innocence. The uncertain situation of the criminal`s relatives, the menace an the harassment situation. There a violent report to the phenomenon of the bullying, the excess of the consumer society. There was a report to the datesite, and the consequences to play with the heart of the persons. The cause of the crime has especial relation with this question. It is interesting the point of view of the science when he was used with bad intentions like witchcraft art. Also there was a brave opposition to the dictatorship of the genetic, and the determinism the opposite a novel like “Bad seed” was written by William March, and Defending Jacob” (more recently). His criticizes against the neodarwinism he reminded to me to the short story “The Darnaways Destiny” in the “Unbelief of the father Brown”. There was an apology to the redemption in the person, and the capacity of forgiveness like in “The miserable” was written by Victor Hugo. Miyabe showed a big balance. She did not fell in the temptation of the Manicheism , and the other mistake that in the wide grey shade the grey shades were black, and there was any good character. It is a curse of nowadays in novels, TV Series, and movies. Mamoru is a character with a dark side (in Brave Story the main character Wataru has to fight against an evil replicate of himself product of his hatred) more or less the same thing will have to do it Mamoru. But at finally like the majority of the characters especially Yoshitake, and the exception is Kunihiko Miura (the bully) we conclude loved him. In a few novels I have been able to find a character plenty of goodness, and lovely as Mamoru. Not only who would say Walter Scott is good for the good actions he did it, also for the evil that he avoided it.
The novel perhaps it was not an orthodox Detection Novel the novel turning point to the half of the novel with a few words that I am not going to write for not destroying the surprise. Until this moment is possible that Mamoru solved the case, it is possible he discovered the murderer (he showed to Mamoru). Mamoru could become a hero and saved lives, however the story did not concluded indeed the novel improved because it settled totally in Mamoru when we realized what is the material was forged Mamoru.
About the villain, perhaps it was one of the most terrible villains of the detection genre. He reminded to me powerfully the leader of the sect of the Assassins Hassan Sabah, now the assassins sect is fashionable for the videogame Assassins Creed, and besides I had in my mind the villain who appeared in the John Milius`s movie about Conan Khalar Singh, however his way of killing is scientific and the most important possible the method who used Miyuki Miyabe to kill is unprecedented in the detection novel. Besides in the other subplot of this novel she used the subliminal publicity reminded to me the novel “Orange Clock worth” was written by Anthony Burgess.
Perhaps the only thing that can cause controversial was the ending. At the beginning I did not realize of the mistake. I judged perfect, but a good friend much better, wiser, and with more readings than me said to me the moral problem of this ending. We have an interesting discussion about the ending of the novel, which could be similar to the “Crime and punishment” but it could not be possible. I cannot reveal information about the ending because I would destroy the interest of the reader by the novel. But he has a lot of with the question of the free fate. The problem is the way use by Mamoru to this justice. With all at the beginning it is a solution that did not fall in the vengeance, and neither in the other extreme the easy emotivism that he had fallen in the impunity, or the omission. I have never the intention who carried to Mamoru to take the decision who took, but I do not think it was the revenge, because all novels was written by Miyuki Miyabe are an antidote against the revenge, and the effects the revenge caused in the innocent (collateral damages). The responsible of the evil murders escaped well and being forgiven. Perhaps Mamoru had to give the chance to this person did the right (although I do not believe he had done it). With all, my friend and other person who advised this novel rated with four stars, and excellent rate.
Despite this final objection in my opinion “The Devil`s Whisper” is one of the best novel that I have ever read in my life. If I had to choose five books to go a lonely island I will catch with me “The Devil`s Whisper”. Miyuki Miyabe wrote the novels that the queen of the mystery had written if she lived in the 21th century (the only reference to the Christianity in the novel is a brochure is a passage of the Apocalypse referred to the death, which reminded to one of the best novels who wrote Agatha Christie “the Pale Horse”). Although in humble opinion Miyuki Miyabe is better writer than Agatha Christie. Now we understand why Miyuki Miyabe is the best mystery writer in Japan. If you do not believe to me taste it. And let that Mamoru accessed in your life. you won`t forget Mamoru, and their characters and he felt nostalgic when he was in the last page for having to say farewell.
(I want to say thank you to my friend Manuel Alfobseca for helping in the checking of this review).
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….........................
Miyuki Miyabe revealed in my life. The first time that I have news about Miyaki Miyabe was for her novel Crossfire (I do not read Crossfire yet, but I have in my shelve ready to do it). Crossfire appeared in the book the” 1001 books you have to read before you die”. It is a novel with echoes of the writers Stephen King, and Dean Koontz about the topic of the revenge. At this moment I have not count I mistrust of the reviewers but in this occasion they were right.
My first direct contact with Miyuki Miyabe was the novel shadow family (in Spain the translation was different to the English translation in Spain was called R.P.G). I was interested in this novel because I was commotioned by a crime happened in Spain the famous Role Crime, which the press used to struggle the Role Players game (unfairly). The plot was a bit different, but it was suggestive. One of the gift who has Miyuki Miyabe is telling with the talent of prophecy. This novel with the rise of the networks, and other applications is totally possible the possibility to create a virtual family. The book it was a prodigious of mastery near to the theatre play. With all is the less interesting of theirs although it was a blasphemy to say because all books who wrote Miyuki Miyabe were excellent. After I read .All she was worth unfortunately, sadly real with the economical crash. It is the story of woman harassment with the debts, and she was pursued by the yakuza. I have not words to “Brave Story” that I did no say previously. A book revolution the fantasy genre with two powerful stories in the real and the magic world. It is not an escape way to the reality. This novel is a strong punch to the reality for the report topics that appeared in this novel. The drama of the divorce, the domestic violence, the bullying, the racism and the fanaticism religion (in words of the emeritus Pope Benedict XVI is the fake of the real faith). It is a pity that some publishing give total support to some sub products in the world of the fantasy genre meanwhile wonderful books like Brave Story delay to arrive our country, and he passed with the readers paid the attention to this book should have it. I did not dare to say that is the definitive book to the Role, and Video Games, but it is a very decisive book.
Despite of this my favorite novel who wrote Miyuki Miyabe is the “Devil Whisper”. The first advantage of this novel is a fact that Miyuki Miyabe writes very well, great writing. She produced the sensation that writing is easy, but you need resources to write. There is not any moment the suspense fell. It is a canonic book, perfect. The second advantage is his lovely main character (very well accompanied by a gallery of excellent secondary characters). Mamoru reminded to me to Rollo Martins the amateur detective who appeared in “The third man”. The children’s of the Miyuki Miyabe`s novel has a gothic childhood, similar to the Charles Dickens`s boys. The children of Miyuki Miyabe or are divorced, or they are adopted children without themselves were not conscious, or his father escaped (with the family in an embarrassed situation). They are characters who suffered (how said a brilliant cinematographic reviewer) “the absence of the father”. In the novel there was a reference to the novelist Gay Talese. There a similarity with the Orson Scott Card`s children like Bean, and Ender they are forced to be precocious, and mature before they had desired. However Mamoru is not an extremely gifted person. He is a normal child with a talent he could open all kind of doors courtesy of his friend Grapms whose advise will be essential to the novel to Mamoru defeat in his own ordeal. To the gallery of secondary characters the Mamoru`s chief it is surprised. It is the chief that everybody would like to have it. He reminded to me to the Potter`s chief in the Grossmith`s brothers “Daily of a Mr. Nobody”. A part of this the polices in the Miyuki Miyabe`s novels different to others detection novels are fair, gentle and sympathetic. Other of the pillars of this novel is the environments, where Mamoru interacted. This places the family`s house, the job, and the Secondary School are alive. One of the attractive to the Japan lovers is the description of the city of Tokyo with his rivers, and the rains made the rivers flooded is a metaphor, of the Mamoru`s soul. Other strong point is the beginning Miyuki Miyabe used the newspaper chronicle to tell the three apparently death of this novel without saving the cruelty, and the violence of the deaths. With a sinister man stuck the shorts of the paper. Other virtues are the different topics that appeared in the novel the elimination of the presumed innocence. The uncertain situation of the criminal`s relatives, the menace an the harassment situation. There a violent report to the phenomenon of the bullying, the excess of the consumer society. There was a report to the datesite, and the consequences to play with the heart of the persons. The cause of the crime has especial relation with this question. It is interesting the point of view of the science when he was used with bad intentions like witchcraft art. Also there was a brave opposition to the dictatorship of the genetic, and the determinism the opposite a novel like “Bad seed” was written by William March, and Defending Jacob” (more recently). His criticizes against the neodarwinism he reminded to me to the short story “The Darnaways Destiny” in the “Unbelief of the father Brown”. There was an apology to the redemption in the person, and the capacity of forgiveness like in “The miserable” was written by Victor Hugo. Miyabe showed a big balance. She did not fell in the temptation of the Manicheism , and the other mistake that in the wide grey shade the grey shades were black, and there was any good character. It is a curse of nowadays in novels, TV Series, and movies. Mamoru is a character with a dark side (in Brave Story the main character Wataru has to fight against an evil replicate of himself product of his hatred) more or less the same thing will have to do it Mamoru. But at finally like the majority of the characters especially Yoshitake, and the exception is Kunihiko Miura (the bully) we conclude loved him. In a few novels I have been able to find a character plenty of goodness, and lovely as Mamoru. Not only who would say Walter Scott is good for the good actions he did it, also for the evil that he avoided it.
The novel perhaps it was not an orthodox Detection Novel the novel turning point to the half of the novel with a few words that I am not going to write for not destroying the surprise. Until this moment is possible that Mamoru solved the case, it is possible he discovered the murderer (he showed to Mamoru). Mamoru could become a hero and saved lives, however the story did not concluded indeed the novel improved because it settled totally in Mamoru when we realized what is the material was forged Mamoru.
About the villain, perhaps it was one of the most terrible villains of the detection genre. He reminded to me powerfully the leader of the sect of the Assassins Hassan Sabah, now the assassins sect is fashionable for the videogame Assassins Creed, and besides I had in my mind the villain who appeared in the John Milius`s movie about Conan Khalar Singh, however his way of killing is scientific and the most important possible the method who used Miyuki Miyabe to kill is unprecedented in the detection novel. Besides in the other subplot of this novel she used the subliminal publicity reminded to me the novel “Orange Clock worth” was written by Anthony Burgess.
Perhaps the only thing that can cause controversial was the ending. At the beginning I did not realize of the mistake. I judged perfect, but a good friend much better, wiser, and with more readings than me said to me the moral problem of this ending. We have an interesting discussion about the ending of the novel, which could be similar to the “Crime and punishment” but it could not be possible. I cannot reveal information about the ending because I would destroy the interest of the reader by the novel. But he has a lot of with the question of the free fate. The problem is the way use by Mamoru to this justice. With all at the beginning it is a solution that did not fall in the vengeance, and neither in the other extreme the easy emotivism that he had fallen in the impunity, or the omission. I have never the intention who carried to Mamoru to take the decision who took, but I do not think it was the revenge, because all novels was written by Miyuki Miyabe are an antidote against the revenge, and the effects the revenge caused in the innocent (collateral damages). The responsible of the evil murders escaped well and being forgiven. Perhaps Mamoru had to give the chance to this person did the right (although I do not believe he had done it). With all, my friend and other person who advised this novel rated with four stars, and excellent rate.
Despite this final objection in my opinion “The Devil`s Whisper” is one of the best novel that I have ever read in my life. If I had to choose five books to go a lonely island I will catch with me “The Devil`s Whisper”. Miyuki Miyabe wrote the novels that the queen of the mystery had written if she lived in the 21th century (the only reference to the Christianity in the novel is a brochure is a passage of the Apocalypse referred to the death, which reminded to one of the best novels who wrote Agatha Christie “the Pale Horse”). Although in humble opinion Miyuki Miyabe is better writer than Agatha Christie. Now we understand why Miyuki Miyabe is the best mystery writer in Japan. If you do not believe to me taste it. And let that Mamoru accessed in your life. you won`t forget Mamoru, and their characters and he felt nostalgic when he was in the last page for having to say farewell.
(I want to say thank you to my friend Manuel Alfobseca for helping in the checking of this review).
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May 19, 2020
ENGLISH: In Poul Anderson's The burning bridge, the main character (the captain of an interstellar ship) finds himself in a tremendous ethical dilemma that grasps the reader's attention, even though it is very improbable that the reader may find himself (or herself) in the same situation in a lifetime.
Miyuki Miyabe's The devil's whisper is a mystery novel where the main character (a 16-year old boy) finds himself in a tremendous ethical dilemma, but in this case the reader could very well find himself (or herself) in a similar situation. The wish for revenge is a widespread temptation. What would each of us do, if revenge were easy and impunity assured? Would I fall into temptation? Under what circumstances? There are different kinds of revenge...
The novel raises many interesting points and gets hold of the reader's interest. I read it very quickly. I found, however, a couple of unsuccessful minor points:
1. The four girls in the plot define themselves as being modern prostitutes, because they make men fall in love with them and then take their money away. But this is not a modern procedure at all, it's quite old, and a girl that does this has a name: a vamp or a femme fatale.
2. I found it a little incredible that the boss of a department in an large firm would go to a part-time trainee's home to consult him on an important question related to the business, and even more that they would agree to act as they did.
But all things considered, this is a great novel.
ESPAÑOL: En The burning bridge de Poul Anderson, el personaje principal (el capitán de una nave interestelar) se encuentra en un tremendo dilema ético que capta la atención del lector, aunque es muy improbable que el lector pueda encontrarse jamás en la misma situación.
El susurro del diablo de Miyuki Miyabe es una novela de misterio cuyo personaje principal (un chico de 16 años) se encuentra en un tremendo dilema ético, pero en este caso el lector sí podría encontrarse en una situación similar. El deseo de venganza es una tentación generalizada. ¿Qué haría cada uno de nosotros si la venganza fuera fácil y la impunidad asegurada? ¿Caería en la tentación? ¿Bajo que circunstancias? Hay diferentes tipos de venganza...
La novela plantea muchos puntos interesantes y capta el interés del lector. La leí muy deprisa. Encontré, sin embargo, un par de puntos menores que no me parecieron oportunos:
1. Las cuatro chicas que se definen como prostitutas modernas porque hacen que los hombres se enamoren de ellas y luego les despluman. Pero este no es un procedimiento moderno, es muy antiguo, y la chica que hace esto tiene un nombre: vampiresa o femme fatale.
2. Me pareció increíble que el jefe de un departamento de una gran empresa vaya a casa de un aprendiz a tiempo parcial para consultarle sobre una cuestión importante, relacionada con el negocio, y aún más que acepte actuar como lo hizo.
Pero a fin de cuentas, es una gran novela.
Miyuki Miyabe's The devil's whisper is a mystery novel where the main character (a 16-year old boy) finds himself in a tremendous ethical dilemma, but in this case the reader could very well find himself (or herself) in a similar situation. The wish for revenge is a widespread temptation. What would each of us do, if revenge were easy and impunity assured? Would I fall into temptation? Under what circumstances? There are different kinds of revenge...
The novel raises many interesting points and gets hold of the reader's interest. I read it very quickly. I found, however, a couple of unsuccessful minor points:
1. The four girls in the plot define themselves as being modern prostitutes, because they make men fall in love with them and then take their money away. But this is not a modern procedure at all, it's quite old, and a girl that does this has a name: a vamp or a femme fatale.
2. I found it a little incredible that the boss of a department in an large firm would go to a part-time trainee's home to consult him on an important question related to the business, and even more that they would agree to act as they did.
But all things considered, this is a great novel.
ESPAÑOL: En The burning bridge de Poul Anderson, el personaje principal (el capitán de una nave interestelar) se encuentra en un tremendo dilema ético que capta la atención del lector, aunque es muy improbable que el lector pueda encontrarse jamás en la misma situación.
El susurro del diablo de Miyuki Miyabe es una novela de misterio cuyo personaje principal (un chico de 16 años) se encuentra en un tremendo dilema ético, pero en este caso el lector sí podría encontrarse en una situación similar. El deseo de venganza es una tentación generalizada. ¿Qué haría cada uno de nosotros si la venganza fuera fácil y la impunidad asegurada? ¿Caería en la tentación? ¿Bajo que circunstancias? Hay diferentes tipos de venganza...
La novela plantea muchos puntos interesantes y capta el interés del lector. La leí muy deprisa. Encontré, sin embargo, un par de puntos menores que no me parecieron oportunos:
1. Las cuatro chicas que se definen como prostitutas modernas porque hacen que los hombres se enamoren de ellas y luego les despluman. Pero este no es un procedimiento moderno, es muy antiguo, y la chica que hace esto tiene un nombre: vampiresa o femme fatale.
2. Me pareció increíble que el jefe de un departamento de una gran empresa vaya a casa de un aprendiz a tiempo parcial para consultarle sobre una cuestión importante, relacionada con el negocio, y aún más que acepte actuar como lo hizo.
Pero a fin de cuentas, es una gran novela.
November 9, 2010
The Devil's Whisper is a novel that wants to be more than a mystery novel. And sometimes it succeeds.
Actually, taken as a straight up mystery, it's a pretty poor example of the genre. There aren't really any clues and the only way one could come to expect the conclusion to the matter is if one is given to predicting the outlandish. So it's fortunate that Miyabe's novel wants to be something other than simple detective fiction. It's kind of like Murakami's Wind-Up Bird Chronicle in that—save for that while Murakami's beast is a literary force to marvel at, slack-jawed and stupid, while it rapes the expectation of Platonic form of Literature in order to become progenitor of a genre all its own (that of the Murakami Novel), The Devil's Whisper merely dabbles in the ethics of the psychological, and in so doing becomes, well, a suspenseful novel with vaguely literary pretensions.
Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed Miyabe's tale just fine. It was slight and breezy and fun. But, well, breezy and heft are kind of natural enemies, so The Devil's Whisper naturally feels less important than some of the more valuable additions to the canon. And probably actually less important than a bus schedule.
Where most readers will stumble while indulging this suspenseful little novel is in its solution. The rigourous mind will recoil in pantomimed horror at the turn of the plot, stung by disbelief that willfully fights against suspension. I'm all for a little leeway being given to fantastic explanations, but in order to absorb the finale without reserve, readers will be persuaded to make detritus of pretty well everything that science, history, and credulity have to say on the matter.
That aside, the story is a terse, compulsive exploration of growing up outcast, living with regret, and escaping oneself from the hived mind. All in the guise of a mystery. And Miyabe proves once more that she's quite comfortable writing young protagonists. She's not as smoothly believable here as she would show herself in later expositions, but regardless. The character with which she inhabits her hero is both engaging and probable—and enjoyable enough to merit the visit into her world. No matter how different it is from ours.
Actually, taken as a straight up mystery, it's a pretty poor example of the genre. There aren't really any clues and the only way one could come to expect the conclusion to the matter is if one is given to predicting the outlandish. So it's fortunate that Miyabe's novel wants to be something other than simple detective fiction. It's kind of like Murakami's Wind-Up Bird Chronicle in that—save for that while Murakami's beast is a literary force to marvel at, slack-jawed and stupid, while it rapes the expectation of Platonic form of Literature in order to become progenitor of a genre all its own (that of the Murakami Novel), The Devil's Whisper merely dabbles in the ethics of the psychological, and in so doing becomes, well, a suspenseful novel with vaguely literary pretensions.
Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed Miyabe's tale just fine. It was slight and breezy and fun. But, well, breezy and heft are kind of natural enemies, so The Devil's Whisper naturally feels less important than some of the more valuable additions to the canon. And probably actually less important than a bus schedule.
Where most readers will stumble while indulging this suspenseful little novel is in its solution. The rigourous mind will recoil in pantomimed horror at the turn of the plot, stung by disbelief that willfully fights against suspension. I'm all for a little leeway being given to fantastic explanations, but in order to absorb the finale without reserve, readers will be persuaded to make detritus of pretty well everything that science, history, and credulity have to say on the matter.
That aside, the story is a terse, compulsive exploration of growing up outcast, living with regret, and escaping oneself from the hived mind. All in the guise of a mystery. And Miyabe proves once more that she's quite comfortable writing young protagonists. She's not as smoothly believable here as she would show herself in later expositions, but regardless. The character with which she inhabits her hero is both engaging and probable—and enjoyable enough to merit the visit into her world. No matter how different it is from ours.
December 29, 2021
เรื่องนี้นี่เขียนมายาวนานพอๆกับอายุของเราเลย
เราชอบเรื่องนี้นะนะ ชอบที่มีเรื่องราวมากกว่าคดีฆาตกรรม ชอบการดิ้นรนต่อสู้ท่ามกลางอุปสรรค การกำหนดชะตาชีวิตด้วยตัวเอง
การดำเนินเรื่องเรื่องนี้ค่อนข้างซับซ้อน มีหลายเส้นเรื่องที่เหมือนจะไม่เกี่ยวกัน แต่สุดท้ายเรื่องราวก็มาบรรจบกันในที่สุด
อ่านหนังสือแปลญี่ปุ่นมาหลายเล่มแล้วรู้สึกว่าวัฒนธรรมญี่ปุ่นนี่น่ากลัวจริงๆ
- ทั้งการบุลลี่ในโรงเรียนที่กลั่นแกล้งจนถึงตาย
- สังคมที่ตีตราบาปให้ครอบครัวฆาตกร ถึงขั้นรังเกียจ ไม่ขายของให้ ไม่รับทำงานนี่โหดร้ายนะ กลายเป็นสังคมที่บีบให้คนไม่มีทางออก ต้องแข็งแกร่งขนาดไหนนะถึงจะผ่านมันมาได้
เราชอบเรื่องนี้นะนะ ชอบที่มีเรื่องราวมากกว่าคดีฆาตกรรม ชอบการดิ้นรนต่อสู้ท่ามกลางอุปสรรค การกำหนดชะตาชีวิตด้วยตัวเอง
การดำเนินเรื่องเรื่องนี้ค่อนข้างซับซ้อน มีหลายเส้นเรื่องที่เหมือนจะไม่เกี่ยวกัน แต่สุดท้ายเรื่องราวก็มาบรรจบกันในที่สุด
อ่านหนังสือแปลญี่ปุ่นมาหลายเล่มแล้วรู้สึกว่าวัฒนธรรมญี่ปุ่นนี่น่ากลัวจริงๆ
- ทั้งการบุลลี่ในโรงเรียนที่กลั่นแกล้งจนถึงตาย
- สังคมที่ตีตราบาปให้ครอบครัวฆาตกร ถึงขั้นรังเกียจ ไม่ขายของให้ ไม่รับทำงานนี่โหดร้ายนะ กลายเป็นสังคมที่บีบให้คนไม่มีทางออก ต้องแข็งแกร่งขนาดไหนนะถึงจะผ่านมันมาได้
June 11, 2015
Overall, I thought the story was compelling and hung together very well. "So why didn't you give it five stars, Jane?" I'm not sure whether it's the writing or the translation, but every so often it sounded clunky to me, and that drew me out of the story a bit, and more worrisome, there were a few places where I felt characters were doing things that were just too convenient for the plot. For example, I loved one of the plot twists at the end, but the means by which it was discovered struck me as out of left field. I loved the main character, but one of his subplots (the bullying) gets resolved halfway through the book and never picked up again, which I also found unrealistic and a bit unsatisfying.
But those are small complaints in comparison to the overall story. The book leaves you with a lot of issues to think about, and the tension is high throughout, so definitely put this one on your to-read shelf, and enjoy!
But those are small complaints in comparison to the overall story. The book leaves you with a lot of issues to think about, and the tension is high throughout, so definitely put this one on your to-read shelf, and enjoy!
May 28, 2016
tema berat yang disajikan secara ringan. penerjemah dan editornya keren, nih, rapi dan tepat guna (?) kalimatkalimatnya.
kayanya Miyuke Miyabe bakal jadi one of must buy authors books, dah.
kayanya Miyuke Miyabe bakal jadi one of must buy authors books, dah.
August 16, 2017
Con un titulo interesante y siendo literatura asiático, uno espera buen terror o una intriga muy bien llevada. Al final sucede lo último pero el bien llevada hasta la mitad.
Varias mujeres se suicidan sin razón aparente y todas estas relacionadas. El tío de un chico atropella a alguien quien muere. El chaval investigará y relacionará el atropello con todos los suicidios, aquí la autora se flipa, no sabe como encajar todo y mete la pata.
Varias mujeres se suicidan sin razón aparente y todas estas relacionadas. El tío de un chico atropella a alguien quien muere. El chaval investigará y relacionará el atropello con todos los suicidios, aquí la autora se flipa, no sabe como encajar todo y mete la pata.
January 14, 2023
ขมวดปมได้เยี่ยมครับช่วงท้าย
หักคะแนน ช่วงแคกๆเหมือนจะเหมือนจะเกิดหลายเหตุการณ์ไปหน่อย
หักคะแนน ช่วงแคกๆเหมือนจะเหมือนจะเกิดหลายเหตุการณ์ไปหน่อย
August 29, 2024
Moc hezke ikdyz malicko nelogicke a prekombinovane, kazdopadne Bych si velice rad precetl dalsi knizku s Mamoru.
August 21, 2012
Miyabe's plot is a bit more complicated, and unfortunately that's one reason much of it feels quite forced, as if she had a bunch of ideas and then wrote her story around them. Miyabe’s characters are interesting; but, unfortunately, none of them are so interesting that I want to know every thought that passes through their minds.
Personal identity is strictly controlled in Japan, family registers keeping careful track of them. The book plods along in places, and the attempts to explain many of the social issues like personal debt or personal identity in Japan, often come across as fairly wooden. Nevertheless, it's an interesting idea, and the crimes that are behind it do make for adequate suspense. The book tells a decent mystery, and an interesting glimpse of Japan.
Personal identity is strictly controlled in Japan, family registers keeping careful track of them. The book plods along in places, and the attempts to explain many of the social issues like personal debt or personal identity in Japan, often come across as fairly wooden. Nevertheless, it's an interesting idea, and the crimes that are behind it do make for adequate suspense. The book tells a decent mystery, and an interesting glimpse of Japan.
October 6, 2019
Esperaba otra cosa por el título y ha resultado ser una novela de misterio un poco juvenil. Me ha faltado tensión, empieza bien, con intriga, pero no ha sido para mí. De todas formas, tal y como está escrito puede gustar a otros lectores.
February 5, 2017
"The Devil's Whisper" is an entertaining book that is let down because it really doesn't have a justification for all that happens within the plot.
Some young women are committing suicide for no apparent reason. When on of them jumps in front of Mamoru's uncle's taxi, Mamoru will try to help his uncle, who is in prison accused of reckless driving.
Cue lots of atmospheric moments, mystery and interesting plot developments that are hold together by... air. And here is where the problem with the novel resides. It has the mystery, the rhythm and the interesting developments, but the reason behind it all is flimsy as they come, and, in the end, undoes all the good work in all the other departments. Miyabe fails to make the reader's suspension of disbelief happen and that is an unforgiving mistake.
Otherwise, the novel is fun, but don't expect a lot.
5.5/10
(English Translation by Deborah Iwabuchi)
Some young women are committing suicide for no apparent reason. When on of them jumps in front of Mamoru's uncle's taxi, Mamoru will try to help his uncle, who is in prison accused of reckless driving.
Cue lots of atmospheric moments, mystery and interesting plot developments that are hold together by... air. And here is where the problem with the novel resides. It has the mystery, the rhythm and the interesting developments, but the reason behind it all is flimsy as they come, and, in the end, undoes all the good work in all the other departments. Miyabe fails to make the reader's suspension of disbelief happen and that is an unforgiving mistake.
Otherwise, the novel is fun, but don't expect a lot.
5.5/10
(English Translation by Deborah Iwabuchi)
December 10, 2019
อาจต้องบอกว่าเล่มนี้เหมือนการนำเอากลุ่มเรื่องย่อยๆ มารวมใส่อีกที มีพล็อตหลักและเรื่องแวดล้อม ส่วนตัวเราว่าแปลก อาจจะเพราะไม่ค่อยได้อ่านเรื่องยาวที่ตัวเอกเป็นเด็กมัธยมปลาย ที่มีสกิลเหมือนเจ้า saru rock ตัวเด็กก็พยายามเดินตามพล็อตหลักไป มีเรื่องย่อยเข้ามาก็เคลียร์เรื่องย่อยจนบางทีแทบจะลืมเรื่องหลัก โผล่มาอีกทีท้ายเรื่องปริศนาจากเรื่องหลักก็เฉลยไปแล้ว อีเด็กก็ อ่าว เหรอๆ โอเค แบบนี้สินะ งืมๆ ตอนนั้นกะว่า ถถถ มิยาเบะซัง เล่นผมอีกแล้วนะครับ
แต่! ตอนจบครับ มันมีไคลแม็กซ์ลับจากปริศนาที่ผู้เขียนวางไว้ตั้งแต่ต้นๆ (แต่เราเองไม่ได้สนใจเท่าไร) พอจุดนี้เผยออกมา โอ เหมือนมีใครมาเปิดสวิตช์ไฟในหัว แปะ แปะ แปะ เรื่อยมาตั้งแต่ต้นจนจบ เข้าใจเลยว่าทำไมต้องมีเรื่องย่อยที่ดูไม่เกี่ยวข้องซ้อนเยอะขนาดนั้น ประทับใจกับการตัดสินใจของตัวเอกในตอนจบมาก
กลายเป็นรู้สึกดีไปเลยที่เรื่องไม่ได้ตรงดิ่งไปเคลียร์ปริศนาหลัก อย่างว่า ธรรมชาติเด็กหนุ่มม. ปลายมันต้องแบบนี้ล่ะ นอกเส้นทางเสียบ้าง พอให้ได้รสชาติของชีวิตต
แต่! ตอนจบครับ มันมีไคลแม็กซ์ลับจากปริศนาที่ผู้เขียนวางไว้ตั้งแต่ต้นๆ (แต่เราเองไม่ได้สนใจเท่าไร) พอจุดนี้เผยออกมา โอ เหมือนมีใครมาเปิดสวิตช์ไฟในหัว แปะ แปะ แปะ เรื่อยมาตั้งแต่ต้นจนจบ เข้าใจเลยว่าทำไมต้องมีเรื่องย่อยที่ดูไม่เกี่ยวข้องซ้อนเยอะขนาดนั้น ประทับใจกับการตัดสินใจของตัวเอกในตอนจบมาก
กลายเป็นรู้สึกดีไปเลยที่เรื่องไม่ได้ตรงดิ่งไปเคลียร์ปริศนาหลัก อย่างว่า ธรรมชาติเด็กหนุ่มม. ปลายมันต้องแบบนี้ล่ะ นอกเส้นทางเสียบ้าง พอให้ได้รสชาติของชีวิตต
May 20, 2021
The Devil, a negative force, which always whispers in our ears. People who are strong-willed don't hear those whispers. When they do, I believe they fight it with all their might. But people who are weak give in to those malicious whispers & bring hell for themselves.
The Devil's Whisper tells us the story of a man who was weak & whose weakness brought hell for his family. It tells us the stories of a boy who grew up not knowing his father, it tells us the story of a family who raised an orphan like their own without expecting anything in return. It tells us how people can be made weak by traumas & how easy it is for the devil to coax broken people. Miyuki Miyabe shows us there are people in this world who would commit a crime Against humanity but would sleep peacefully at night like everything was rosie & shiny but she also shows there are some people who commit crime at the temptation of the devil but in the end, they do turn to path of the right side..
After all, it's our duty to fight the devil, to make our own decision.
The Devil's Whisper tells us the story of a man who was weak & whose weakness brought hell for his family. It tells us the stories of a boy who grew up not knowing his father, it tells us the story of a family who raised an orphan like their own without expecting anything in return. It tells us how people can be made weak by traumas & how easy it is for the devil to coax broken people. Miyuki Miyabe shows us there are people in this world who would commit a crime Against humanity but would sleep peacefully at night like everything was rosie & shiny but she also shows there are some people who commit crime at the temptation of the devil but in the end, they do turn to path of the right side..
After all, it's our duty to fight the devil, to make our own decision.
April 25, 2020
Beli buku ini karena pengen menambah khazanah penulis Jepang saja. Karena belinya terburu-buru di sela-sela jadi SPG di IBF, jadi sama sekali ga nyangka kalo genrenya thriller. It wasn't my kind of genre at all.
Tapi anehnya, cara menulis Miyabe bener-bener pas buat pembaca berhati lemah kayak saya. Narasinya kuat, pembangunan karakternya bagus. Keseluruhan cerita dan twistnya asik banget. Ga heran kalo novel ini dapet penghargaan.
Pengen baca lagi karya dari penulis ini. Tapi ga yakin kuat kalo ceritanya bunuh-bunuhan.
Tapi anehnya, cara menulis Miyabe bener-bener pas buat pembaca berhati lemah kayak saya. Narasinya kuat, pembangunan karakternya bagus. Keseluruhan cerita dan twistnya asik banget. Ga heran kalo novel ini dapet penghargaan.
Pengen baca lagi karya dari penulis ini. Tapi ga yakin kuat kalo ceritanya bunuh-bunuhan.
November 7, 2017
It's fine? I was expecting/hoping for something a little twistier and darker. This feels slightly dated and the glossy paper this edition is printed on drove me crazy. But overall, it was pretty okay. Not particularly memorable, I suspect, but fine.
July 16, 2021
Mamoru bakal berkesan nih... 😆
June 8, 2022
The solution seems too unbelievable.
May 23, 2023
Simplemente, me encantó. Desde el primer párrafo la adoré.
January 4, 2017
Yei! Buku ini menjadi buku pertama yang selesai saya baca pada awal tahun ini. Buku yang membuatku jatuh cinta sedetik setelah saya membaca sinopsisnya. Tiga kematian berturu-turut terjadi dalam satu waktu yang berdekatan; seorang gadis terjun dari atap gedung bertingkat; gadis kedua tertabrak kereta dan gadis ketiga tewas tertabrak taksi. Adakah hubungan antara ketiga peristiwa itu? Apakah itu murni kecelakaa, bunuh diri, atau pembunuhan? Satu kesamaan yang ada pada ketiga gadis ini adalah mereka berlari sesaat sebelum kematiannya. Berlari menuju ajalnya...
Prolognya khas dengan cerita thriller yang penuh ketegangan. Namun, tokoh Mamoru sebagai detektif amatir dalam novel ini membuatnya menjadi berbeda dengan kisah detektif pada umumnya. Ngomong-ngomong soal Mamoru, saya sudah jatuh cinta sama anak ini sejak halaman tiga belas. Dia anak malang dengan latar belakang yang penuh dengan kemalangan. Ayahnnya seorang pegawai pemerintah yang menjadi buronan kasus korupsi dan menghilang entah ke mana.
Sebagai anak dari pelaku kejahatan, membuat Mamoru terbiasa menerima sanksi sosial dari masyarakat. Mamoru tumbuh menjadi anak yang tegar. Dia menjalani hidupnya tanpa banyak mengeluh. Meskipun beberapa orang terus menganggunya, Mamoru tak mengacuhkannya, dan menganggapnya sebagai angin lalu saja.
"Orang-orang brengsek yang mendapatkan kesenangan dari penderitaan orang lain sama dengan kecoak; tak peduli seberapa banyak kau menyingkirkannya, selalu saja muncul lagi raturan." (hal 36).
Belum lagi saat ada sebuah tindak kejahatan yang terjadi di sekolahnya. Mamorulah yang dengan segera dicurigai oleh gurunya yang tidak kompeten. Sesuai dengan pepatah lama, "Buah jatuh tak jauh dari pohonnya."
"Akulah yang punya ayah seorang pelaku kejahatan," gumam Mamoru. Ekspresi simpatik Yoichi membuat Mamoru menurunkan kewaspadaannya. "Tidakkah kau juga berpikir begitu? Namanya hukum hereditas Mendel." (hal 196).
Mamoru adalah orang yang tak peduli jika dirinya dihina, tetapi akan mengamuk jika orang yang disayanginya disakiti. Kemarahan Mamoru pada Miura pada halam 230 pun ikut membakar hati saya. ^^ Mamoru ini tipe cowok yang minta dipeluk (haha), untunglah ada Anego yang mewakili saya untuk memeluknya. Mamoru adalah pusat cerita dan daya tarik utama dari novel ini.
Plot cerita ini penuh dengan kejutan. Sungguh tak bisa ditebak apa yang akan terjadi karena memang kurang petunjuk. Sebenarnya bisa juga diartikan kurang fairplay, tetapi justru itulah daya tariknya yang membuat buku ini tak juga lepas dari tangan saya. Meskipun ada banyak buku yang saya borong dari bazar kemarin. Saya bahkan menyempatkan membacanya di tengah UAS (haha).
Mamoru sendiri memiliki kecerdasan dan kelihaian dalam mengungkap misteri, sehingga plot berjalan dengan mulus tanpa ada unsur kebetulan. Bahkan pada dua puluh halaman terakhir saya masih berteriak, "Jangan! Jangan!" dalam hati. (haha).
Novel ini juga sarat akan pesan yang bisa kita ambil. Bahwa seorang pelaku kejahatan pasti menyimpan penyesalan dalam dirinya, bahwa kita tak boleh menilai seseorang dari orang tuanya, dan bahwa yang terbaik bagi keluarga korban adalah memaafkan sedangkan yang terbaik bagi pelaku adalah mempertanggungjawabkan perbuatannya.
Lima bintang penuh untuk novel yang membuat saya bedagang dan nulis review malam-malam begini hanya karena saya takut feel-nya akan hilang kalau saya tunda besok (haha).
Akhir kata, saya mau bikin satu kalimat keren (menurut saya, haha) yang sesuai dengan judul novel ini. "Setan itu berada dekat denganmu hingga kamu bisa mendengar bisikannya. Setan itu ada di dalam hatimu."
Prolognya khas dengan cerita thriller yang penuh ketegangan. Namun, tokoh Mamoru sebagai detektif amatir dalam novel ini membuatnya menjadi berbeda dengan kisah detektif pada umumnya. Ngomong-ngomong soal Mamoru, saya sudah jatuh cinta sama anak ini sejak halaman tiga belas. Dia anak malang dengan latar belakang yang penuh dengan kemalangan. Ayahnnya seorang pegawai pemerintah yang menjadi buronan kasus korupsi dan menghilang entah ke mana.
Sebagai anak dari pelaku kejahatan, membuat Mamoru terbiasa menerima sanksi sosial dari masyarakat. Mamoru tumbuh menjadi anak yang tegar. Dia menjalani hidupnya tanpa banyak mengeluh. Meskipun beberapa orang terus menganggunya, Mamoru tak mengacuhkannya, dan menganggapnya sebagai angin lalu saja.
"Orang-orang brengsek yang mendapatkan kesenangan dari penderitaan orang lain sama dengan kecoak; tak peduli seberapa banyak kau menyingkirkannya, selalu saja muncul lagi raturan." (hal 36).
Belum lagi saat ada sebuah tindak kejahatan yang terjadi di sekolahnya. Mamorulah yang dengan segera dicurigai oleh gurunya yang tidak kompeten. Sesuai dengan pepatah lama, "Buah jatuh tak jauh dari pohonnya."
"Akulah yang punya ayah seorang pelaku kejahatan," gumam Mamoru. Ekspresi simpatik Yoichi membuat Mamoru menurunkan kewaspadaannya. "Tidakkah kau juga berpikir begitu? Namanya hukum hereditas Mendel." (hal 196).
Mamoru adalah orang yang tak peduli jika dirinya dihina, tetapi akan mengamuk jika orang yang disayanginya disakiti. Kemarahan Mamoru pada Miura pada halam 230 pun ikut membakar hati saya. ^^ Mamoru ini tipe cowok yang minta dipeluk (haha), untunglah ada Anego yang mewakili saya untuk memeluknya. Mamoru adalah pusat cerita dan daya tarik utama dari novel ini.
Plot cerita ini penuh dengan kejutan. Sungguh tak bisa ditebak apa yang akan terjadi karena memang kurang petunjuk. Sebenarnya bisa juga diartikan kurang fairplay, tetapi justru itulah daya tariknya yang membuat buku ini tak juga lepas dari tangan saya. Meskipun ada banyak buku yang saya borong dari bazar kemarin. Saya bahkan menyempatkan membacanya di tengah UAS (haha).
Mamoru sendiri memiliki kecerdasan dan kelihaian dalam mengungkap misteri, sehingga plot berjalan dengan mulus tanpa ada unsur kebetulan. Bahkan pada dua puluh halaman terakhir saya masih berteriak, "Jangan! Jangan!" dalam hati. (haha).
Novel ini juga sarat akan pesan yang bisa kita ambil. Bahwa seorang pelaku kejahatan pasti menyimpan penyesalan dalam dirinya, bahwa kita tak boleh menilai seseorang dari orang tuanya, dan bahwa yang terbaik bagi keluarga korban adalah memaafkan sedangkan yang terbaik bagi pelaku adalah mempertanggungjawabkan perbuatannya.
Lima bintang penuh untuk novel yang membuat saya bedagang dan nulis review malam-malam begini hanya karena saya takut feel-nya akan hilang kalau saya tunda besok (haha).
Akhir kata, saya mau bikin satu kalimat keren (menurut saya, haha) yang sesuai dengan judul novel ini. "Setan itu berada dekat denganmu hingga kamu bisa mendengar bisikannya. Setan itu ada di dalam hatimu."
September 23, 2018
Sinceramente, no me gustó casi nada. De hecho, lo tengo en último lugar en mi librero y la única razón por la que no lo regalo/vendo es porque me lo regaló una amiga y tiene valor sentimental.
Puntos a favor:
Se lee bastante rápido y en un principio resulta bastante dinámico. Cuando recién lo empezaba estaba encantada. De hecho, había resaltado varias frases que me habían resultado llamativas.
Hasta como la mitad del libro la trama está bien desarrollada y resulta intrigante. Hasta lográs preocuparte por los personajes y preocuparte por lo que les pase.
Ahora lo malo y que me dejó con un mal sabor de boca tremendo:
Sinceramente siento que el "climax" nunca se presenta. Como que sigue todo muy "recto". No hay un conflicto que desate caos. Es decir, sí, tenemos el principal: las 3 mujeres que se suicidaron en situaciones misteriosas, el cómo el tío del protagonista es incriminado, la persona que está detrás de esto, pero ¿además? Nada. Tenemos lo mismo de principio a fin y no cambia nada.
Me la pase todo el libro pensando "bueno, ahora va a pasar algo" y no ocurría nada diferente. El final me pareció soso, aburrido. No me emocionó en lo absoluto.
«¡Bueno, faltan 10 páginas puede que realmente pase algo emocionante en cualquier momento» nunca pasa.
La manera en que se resuelve el misterio me pareció rebuscado, por lo menos. Y tampoco me agradó en lo absoluto cómo se desarrolló.
Puede que haya tenido espectativas muy altas, porque dicen que la autora es de la mejores escritoras de suspense en Japón, pero realmente no me aportó nada.
En resúmen:
Hasta la mitad, por lo menos, se desarrolla bien. Es muy fácil de leer. Los personajes no son planos y podés hasta llegar a encariñarte con ellos.
Lo malo: no aporta nada, no es emocionante, no lo volverías a leer, las cosas de resuelven de forma sosa y rebuscada. Te deja todo el tiempo esperando ALGO. El final aburrido y carente de emoción.
Puntos a favor:
Se lee bastante rápido y en un principio resulta bastante dinámico. Cuando recién lo empezaba estaba encantada. De hecho, había resaltado varias frases que me habían resultado llamativas.
Hasta como la mitad del libro la trama está bien desarrollada y resulta intrigante. Hasta lográs preocuparte por los personajes y preocuparte por lo que les pase.
Ahora lo malo y que me dejó con un mal sabor de boca tremendo:
Sinceramente siento que el "climax" nunca se presenta. Como que sigue todo muy "recto". No hay un conflicto que desate caos. Es decir, sí, tenemos el principal: las 3 mujeres que se suicidaron en situaciones misteriosas, el cómo el tío del protagonista es incriminado, la persona que está detrás de esto, pero ¿además? Nada. Tenemos lo mismo de principio a fin y no cambia nada.
Me la pase todo el libro pensando "bueno, ahora va a pasar algo" y no ocurría nada diferente. El final me pareció soso, aburrido. No me emocionó en lo absoluto.
«¡Bueno, faltan 10 páginas puede que realmente pase algo emocionante en cualquier momento» nunca pasa.
La manera en que se resuelve el misterio me pareció rebuscado, por lo menos. Y tampoco me agradó en lo absoluto cómo se desarrolló.
Puede que haya tenido espectativas muy altas, porque dicen que la autora es de la mejores escritoras de suspense en Japón, pero realmente no me aportó nada.
En resúmen:
Hasta la mitad, por lo menos, se desarrolla bien. Es muy fácil de leer. Los personajes no son planos y podés hasta llegar a encariñarte con ellos.
Lo malo: no aporta nada, no es emocionante, no lo volverías a leer, las cosas de resuelven de forma sosa y rebuscada. Te deja todo el tiempo esperando ALGO. El final aburrido y carente de emoción.
November 6, 2019
2018 Popsugar Reading Challenge: 14. Un libro por un autor de una etnia diferente a la tuya
I think it was my first experience with a Japanese author, and although I liked it, I noticed a bit of culture clash.
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Creo que ha sido mi primera experiencia con un autora japonesa, y aunque me gustó, noté un poco el choque de culturas.
I think it was my first experience with a Japanese author, and although I liked it, I noticed a bit of culture clash.
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Creo que ha sido mi primera experiencia con un autora japonesa, y aunque me gustó, noté un poco el choque de culturas.
May 2, 2010
The Devil’s Whisper (2007) [translation of Majutsu wa sasayaku:] is a non-series novel from 1989 by “Japan’s #1 Bestselling Mystery Writer” which follows teenager Mamoru Kusaka as he tries to exonerate his uncle Taizo, a Tokyo taxi driver being held for running over and killing a young woman late one night. In spare and unrelenting prose, the author weaves several threads together, as links are discovered between the deaths of several other young women originally classed as suicides. Mamoru has turned out quite well, considering the ostracism he suffered as a child when his father disappeared with embezzled public funds. After his mother died in rural Japan, Mamoru came to Tokyo to live with his Aunt Yoriko, but his past leads to abuse in school, while helping make him independent and resourceful. Miyabe builds the suspense from multiple first-person accounts and skillfully hints at forces unimagined by the young protagonist. This is the earliest Miyabe novel to appear in English, and well-worth reading.
http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/M_A...
http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/M_A...
August 16, 2017
Another random library selection: Miyabe is billed as "Japan's #1 Bestselling Mystery Writer". Not a name I'm familiar with, in a genre I dabble in but am not particularly fond of, given recent attempts to find something I like -- I don't like the gruesome details, and I especially don't like plots that are all 'kill someone else so we can work out who you are' murder mysteries.
I loved it. I don't know how much is cultural differences, and how much is unique to Miyabe, but this is certainly the 'something different' that I've been looking for in this genre. There is no long suffering private eye. There is no good guy cop trying to get things working in an increasingly bureaucratic environment. There is just a teenage boy who thinks something odd is going on, and follows it up. There are also very strange gender politics, and the descriptions of high school bullying are weird (and the societal bullying is creepy). The police are pretty close to thugs, and many others seem a tad caricatured, but that might be a perspective thing, rather than a deliberate choice of the author.
I loved it. I don't know how much is cultural differences, and how much is unique to Miyabe, but this is certainly the 'something different' that I've been looking for in this genre. There is no long suffering private eye. There is no good guy cop trying to get things working in an increasingly bureaucratic environment. There is just a teenage boy who thinks something odd is going on, and follows it up. There are also very strange gender politics, and the descriptions of high school bullying are weird (and the societal bullying is creepy). The police are pretty close to thugs, and many others seem a tad caricatured, but that might be a perspective thing, rather than a deliberate choice of the author.
June 1, 2019
Un libro que me ha sorprendido gratamente, la primera vez que leo a esta autora y seguramente no será la última. Una novela llena de misterio, porque son varias las cosas que ocurren, y cada vez que planteaba una hipótesis sobre lo ocurrido, al final no le pegaba a nada. Cada vez que pensaba que algo sobrenatural iba a ocurrir, la autora le daba un giro completamente lógico para explicar lo ocurrido.
Solo una parte no me terminó de cerrar del todo, pero fue lo de menos.
El personaje de Gramps se me hizo tierno y especial por su forma de actuar y a pesar de que no aparece mucho, ha sido mi favorito por lejos.
El susurro del diablo, es en definitiva una historia que te mantendrá entretenido, llevando un buen ritmo, a pesar que en definitiva la gran parte de la trama es ir desenredando los hilos de una telaraña en la que todo termina relacionado con todo.
#literigato encontrado
"A Mamoru se le heló la sangre un instante. No era más que un gato negro que huía calle abajo, pero tuvo la sensación de que lo habían descubierto."
Solo una parte no me terminó de cerrar del todo, pero fue lo de menos.
El personaje de Gramps se me hizo tierno y especial por su forma de actuar y a pesar de que no aparece mucho, ha sido mi favorito por lejos.
El susurro del diablo, es en definitiva una historia que te mantendrá entretenido, llevando un buen ritmo, a pesar que en definitiva la gran parte de la trama es ir desenredando los hilos de una telaraña en la que todo termina relacionado con todo.
#literigato encontrado
"A Mamoru se le heló la sangre un instante. No era más que un gato negro que huía calle abajo, pero tuvo la sensación de que lo habían descubierto."
February 4, 2017
Me gustó mucho, y me mantuvo todo el tiempo picada en los misterios. Si hubiera sido solo los asesinatos tal vez hubiera sido un poco aburrido, porque cuando aparece el asesino comienzas a hacerte una idea de cómo lo hace, y al final adiviné su método sin mucha dificultad. Eso no le quitó mérito al libro, pero si dejó de tener tanto misterio.
Pero la historia alterna de Mamoru y Koichi estuvo sumamente interesante y me dio muchas sorpresas, así como la de los almacenes. Esos cambios de historias fue lo que siempre mantuvo el libro a un excelente paso.
Pero la historia alterna de Mamoru y Koichi estuvo sumamente interesante y me dio muchas sorpresas, así como la de los almacenes. Esos cambios de historias fue lo que siempre mantuvo el libro a un excelente paso.
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