Audition by Ryu Murakami REVIEW

 Summary:

Aoyama, a widower who has lived alone with his son since his wife died seven years ago, decides that it is time to remarry. Since Aoyama is a bit rusty when it comes to dating, a filmmaker friend proposes that he stage auditions for a movie he never intends to produce in order to cast the perfect woman as his bride. Only one of the applicants catches Aoyama's attention: Yamasaki Asami, a striking young ballerina with a mysterious past. Blinded by his infatuation, Aoyama discovers too late that she is a far cry from the innocent young woman he imagined her to be.

My Thoughts:

I do know this was a film, but I wanted to read the novel it was based on first. This isn't the first Murakami book I have read; I have previously read In the Miso Soup.

Aoyama is still grieving the loss of his wife, even though it has been several years. He was not faithful to her when she was still alive, but he never wanted her to die. His son, now in high school, notices how miserable Aoyama is and suggests he remarry. Aoyama originally rejects the idea, but soon realizes that his son is right. When he tells his friend Yoshikawa about this, the friend decides to create an audition for a film that likely will not happen so that Aoyama can find his ideal type. Asami blows him away, and he falls in love with her. Unfortunately, he finds out too late about her past.

I really liked the relationship Aoyama has with his son. It is something that we don't see very often in the horror genre (or most genres really). Asami was abused growing up, and she tells Aoyama that she healed through dancing. But it turns out that she has not actually healed. Asami wants to be loved by Aoyama, but she also wants him to ONLY love her. He doesn't really understand what she means until she leaves after he tells her about his son.

I definitely loved this book, and I hope to find more compelling novels from this author.

My Rating: 5 stars

Everything Will Be All Right In the End by Paul Michael Anderson REVIEW

My Thoughts:

Short story collections, as you probably know by now, are very difficult to review/rate. But I did fall in love with Anderson's writing.

One of my favorites is "The One Thing I Wished For You". It revolves around a new father, who wants to protect his newborn child whatever the cost. His wish was for her not to feel pain, and it was granted by a mysterious man. Instead of his child feeling the pain, he would. But he learns later what a curse that is when his daughter grows up and dates an abusive man. That meant she would not feel the pain, and it ended up killing her. But the end showed that it was only a vision of what could happen.

Another favorite is "A Questionable Act of Compassion", where a girl (who seems to be artificially made) is being experimented on by two doctors, one of which is kind. She ends up escaping on her own.

Other notable favorites include "Requiem Is A Vocab Term",  "Well, You Asked For A Miracle", and "I Can Give You Life".

I would wholeheartedly recommend this book.

My Rating: 5 stars