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dee9401's review against another edition
4.0
This is the third book by Kenzo Kitakata that I’ve read, the first two being Ashes and Winter Sleep. Translated by Paul Warham, this book is a fitting addition to Kitakata’s works in English. The hardboiled styling of this book is more in line with 1990s Hong Kong action films rather than Japanese novels, but it makes the book a fast and enjoyable roller coaster ride.
The Cage continues in the style set up in these previous books, with the focus on two main characters, Kazuya Takino and Detective Takagi. Takino, a former Yakuza who’s gone straight, struggles with the life he’s created and the world he thought he’d left behind. By rendering this gangster as a complex human being, Kitakata can deftly explore the various levels, neighborhoods, and relationships of contemporary Japanese society. The cage is a metaphor for the world that Takino has made for himself, and that he is aware of, but the novel also explores the cages that the other main characters have built around themselves, for better or for worse and knowingly or unknowingly.
The Cage continues in the style set up in these previous books, with the focus on two main characters, Kazuya Takino and Detective Takagi. Takino, a former Yakuza who’s gone straight, struggles with the life he’s created and the world he thought he’d left behind. By rendering this gangster as a complex human being, Kitakata can deftly explore the various levels, neighborhoods, and relationships of contemporary Japanese society. The cage is a metaphor for the world that Takino has made for himself, and that he is aware of, but the novel also explores the cages that the other main characters have built around themselves, for better or for worse and knowingly or unknowingly.
kambei's review against another edition
4.0
Starts off a little awkward but builds nicely. Great action and a poignant tale of someone who can never truly break free.
hotsake's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
This is a solid book, not great but solid. None of the characters were relatable, likable, or even all that interesting. There were moments when I was really into what was happening but mostly I spent my time being mildly intrigued.
_ciaran's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
made_in_dna's review against another edition
5.0
Takino has lead a quiet life for the past 6 years. He runs a small, local supermarket in Tokyo with his beautiful wife. But he used to be yakuza. When an extortion racket comes round demanding he sell his store and his land, Takino can't comprehend what the fuss is all about. When digs deeper, he digs himself into a hole from which there is no escape.
This is a brilliant noir crime novel set in 80s Japan. It's bleak and hardboiled. Well-paced, the book is a smooth read that builds to a crescendo of consuming (yet not senseless) violence. Highly recommended.
This is a brilliant noir crime novel set in 80s Japan. It's bleak and hardboiled. Well-paced, the book is a smooth read that builds to a crescendo of consuming (yet not senseless) violence. Highly recommended.
bloodravenlib's review against another edition
1.0
I wanted to like this since I do like hard crime and noir novels, but I found this to be pretty disappointing. The premise seemed so good-- former Yakuza gang member trying to go straight but getting pulled back into the life. Granted, it is a pretty simple premise, and it has been done before. However, if done well, it works. However, this novel just did not grab me. By the time I got to see the detective chasing the protagonist, I honestly did not really care. Takino is just a bit on the bland side. Sure, tough, but he just seems to meander. Does not really care about the women in his life; in fact, he is pretty blah about them, no passion there. And while there are some action scenes, overall, the characters are not ones you really care for, in part because they seem so bland. I just did not feel too excited about this book, and it does not even give that much of a look into the Yakuza. In other words, a lot of what other reviewers said as well as what the book description promises is just not there. To be honest, I wonder if some readers are just over-praising the book. I did not think it was such a big deal. And the ending was just a basic cliche.
I am not giving up on reading Japanese fiction in translation, but I may not look up this particular author anytime soon. The book may have worked for others, but it did not for me. At times I just skimmed parts just to get to the point and the end. That for me is a sign the book did not hold my interest, but I did not want to drop it. Glad I am done so I can move on to other things.
I am not giving up on reading Japanese fiction in translation, but I may not look up this particular author anytime soon. The book may have worked for others, but it did not for me. At times I just skimmed parts just to get to the point and the end. That for me is a sign the book did not hold my interest, but I did not want to drop it. Glad I am done so I can move on to other things.
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