Piercing

Ryū Murakami has a distinctive way of presenting things and I found this book to be very interesting. It's amazing to me how he can describe such personal and intimate things. While reading the book I kept thinking I would like to watch a movie of it too, and it seems there is one. I might just be onto it next, but let's get back to the book now.

Both Kawashima and Chiaki are amazing characters. I'm struggling to put into words all I feel about them because they are so complex. Their individual background, their coping mechanisms, and their personalities are so well written and it's impossible to not feel for them. I also can't blame any of them. Neither Kawashima nor Chiaki got, at any point, the kind of help they needed, so they had to help themselves.

While reading I wasn't sure what I wanted the outcome to be and I thought I had to chose between the two characters. It was quite jarring. I couldn't make a decision, didn't want to make a decision, but for some reason I thought I had to. I wonder what was it that made me think that.

This novel has so many layers I don't even know where to start peeling so I'm not even going to attempt it, but I am going to say it is a fantastic read. I wish I could recommend this book to everyone, but it is not an everyone type of book. Piercing can be highly disturbing and triggering, so if you do decide to read it, tread carefully.

I would recommend it mainly for the psychological aspect, I think a lot of people could learn something from it, understand something about abuse victims who continue/repeat the abuse, but at the same time it could backfire on other readers.

The only thing I can say for certain about it, is that Piercing is an outstanding and complex book.

Really enjoyed this book, if enjoyed is the right word to use, maybe captivated by would be better. Have never read anything by this author before, only seen Audition but I would definitely read more. It has been a long time since I have read anything which has grabbed me right from the start & made me want to read on, the way the situations adjust between the two main characters is fascinating. I was drawn in by the “is he going to get away with it” curiosity, knowing there was going to be a twist but unsure of what. Recommended reading, if you can get through the visceral aspects of the book, not for the easily offended.