Customer Reviews

GOTH A Novel of Horror

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As usual, I'm leaving the plot details up to previous reviewers, amazon, and your own web browsing (others are much better at these things than I, anyway!).

In the past, I had enjoyed Otsuichi's other Tokyopop released novel, "Calling You". In that book, the author reached out to his readers with stories that, although simplistic in prose and construction, were heartrending and chilling. The three pieces of that novel, although possessing shocking twists, I would ultimately consider to be "dramas" (if I had to label them).

With Goth, Otsuichi has moved into a more solidly labeled mystery/horror genre. Once again, as with "Calling You", the material that makes up his stories is laid out with a brutal honesty which can push readers into an uncomfortable zone (I'm referring mostly to "Kids", from the other novel, with this reference).

Goth switches between a first and third person narrative. As I mentioned before, Otsuichi's writing style (in regard to prose) is somewhat simplistic. You won't find overly decorative descriptions or extravagant dialogue. However, that is not to say the writing is dry nor uncreative. On the contrary, when a scene is described, it feels like you're standing there and witnessing the story beyond the page. Analogies and similes, when used, are clever and memorable.

This writing style often gives the story an effortless sensation, as if the events that unfold are done so with sincerity and without emotional complication. The result? A novel that, regardless of how improbably or fantastic it is in some ways, feels terrifyingly realistic. Otsuichi doesn't give you a chance to remember that what you're reading is fiction. Events and people are described "as is", with a blood chilling indifference that pushes home the monstrosity of the crimes that are committed.

And yet, amidst all of this worn-on-the-sleeve writing, you have more than a fair share of complex issues and character motives to consider. By the end, I no longer always knew who I was sympathizing with or what I should be rooting for.

Finally, perhaps my lack of experience with mystery novels and movies is to blame (or I'm just gullible), but there were at least three stories that made my jaw flat out drop. At times it feels like everything is being spelled out for you, then wham!

Sum up of it: Recommended to horror fans who like some plot twists and intrigue mixed in with their gore. Also, if you're a fan of Dexter (the TV series), this might really hit it off with you, too.

For most, goth is a style, a fascination with darkness while standing safely in the light. In Otsuichi's "GOTH: A Novel of Horror", it's little more than a word that could only hint at the macabre nature of these characters and stories. GOTH is more accurately described as a collection of stories connected by the two main characters. Morino is quiet, virtually silent and goes to virtually any lengths to isolate herself from her classmates and repel those who are attracted to her pale beauty. Kitazawa is a kindred spirit, but one who has learned to put up a cheery, joking front that hide his true self. ("Can you teach me to smile like that?" Morino asks when they first meet.) Kitazawa has an innate ability to track down and uncover serial criminals of the most horrific kind. Morino has a similar knack for being singled out as a victim. This is how they are drawn together throughout the book. It is not quite a romance. Both would find the other's death as fascinating as they would their own.

The stories focus on perpetrators of incomprehensibly unspeakable crimes: a man who assaults victims to collect their hands, the serial murderer of pet dogs, an avid gardner who becomes fascinated with planting children alive in graves. Otsuichi lets us look into the minds of those who are most often described as mindless monsters. He is neither judgmental nor sensational. He leave both to the prattle of reality TV coverage and local gossip that serve as little more than background noise.

According to the book's afterword, Goth was Otsuichi's first attempt at the genre known as "light fiction" in Japan. Traditionally, these are works of simple plots and marginal writing quality, suitable to pass the time on trains and subways. In this effort, the author failed. Goth won one of Japan's most prestigious mystery writing awards. Even though this is not a "graphic novel" in the sense that another review implied (there are no pictures, it's all words), the images are vivid and the descriptions are truly immersive. He is a superb writer and storyteller. The endings of his stories are utterly unique. For a reader, it's like driving the last few miles of a twisting mountain road. But after a last turn where you expect to see the familiar lights of home, you discover that there is nothing under your wheels but darkness and you're left with that tingle of giddiness in the split second before you begin to fall.

There is a good chance that the success of this book may result in a movie deal in Japan. Sadly, the world has only known one director who could have done this book justice and that brilliant British immigrant to Hollywood passed away in 1980.

It helps explain the supernatural angle a bit better. An angle that would otherwise be kind of confusing.
That being said Goth is the story of how Japan is freakin' loaded with serial killers!! No I'm just playing, but reading this book you will certainly start to think that. What sets it apart from other serail killer stories is that the focus isn't just on one serial killer. It's an anthology, but one that is sewn so tightly together it resembles a single story. It starts with two young friends who find the diary of a serial killer, detailing the nightmarish torture of a young girl. And right from there it has its hooks in you. The main characters are spooky, yet surprisingly lovable. It has everything from twins playing suicide/murder, to a man who collects fresh hands, and leaves his victims alive & disabled. For those of us who revel in the gore of the splatterpunk era, it's as gory as any one of those. But it will leave you questioning whether you could honestly kill someone. The sign of an effective serial killer novel. So read if you dare!! If you like serial killer novels this is a must. A solid 4 out of 5. I would have given it 5 out of 5 had things been explained a little better. Otsuichi is the new Japanese voice of horror, so keep an eye out for his work :)

I really liked this book when I first read it, but I couldn't buy it at the time. Now I'm able to buy the book, and it costs a C-note plus shipping? That's ridiculous. I understand Tokyopop discontinued all "Pop Fiction/ Light Novel" imprints, but come on. Do you really expect somebody to buy a paperback novel that originally cost $8.99 in 2008, now, in 2011 for $100? Whoever is selling it is insane. Just saying.

To Tokyopop, you should release the rights to a book company who actually publishes books so I can possibly find a copy that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Thanks.

Four stars for the awesomeness of this story, -5 stars for the guy/girl selling it for an overly-inflated price. Collectible or not, that's ridiculous. -5 buddy, -5.

Goth is a wonderful manga, filled with different stories.
All of them creepy and unusual, while still very entertaining.
It's a very different kind of manga, and very dark and twisted.
Read the novel part of this too for the full effect.

I found it very very interesting, I really liked it!
The only problem is once I finished reading it I had nightmares.

i bought this a short while ago and have read and enjoyed it thouroughly, and would recommend it to anyone who would like a small peek into the mind of the killer. also be aware this is labeled as a novel but is most commonly called a 'manga' as the story is in a japanese comic-like style. it's all written in english and quite easy to understand once you get down the backwards format.(right to left, and then top to bottom)

I've been reading this book (sorry don't mean to gross anyone out) in the bathroom in increments and I have to say, I've been looking forward to going to the bathroom more and more as the stories go on.

It's has the feeling of a young Dexter, from the showtime series of the same name. I really love the style, though I tend to get confused a bit from time to time and I'm not sure if it's because I'm reading it in increments or because it was written in Japanese and translated (not sure if that is the case) into English.

Either way, it's really worth a read if you are interesting in the dark side of humanity. Very good writing.

Really interesting stories.

Imagine finding out that a book you have found contains the inner thoughts to someone beyond dark and that it reveals things that even the police have yet to find (and, no, I'm not talking about finding the journal of some soul-stealing lawyer). Now imagine that the darkness it reveals deals with actions that include the removal of organs, the taking of tongues and eyelids and ears, followed by the painstaking task of nailing someone to a tree. What would you do? In the case of Otsuichi's Goth we see two character's reactions to one such situation, in which they opt to keep the book and - well, it is worth reading to see what happens next.

As with many TokyoPop books, this has a feel that is far more sinister than most US releases and says it is markets to a 14 + crowd. Unlike many of these books, however, it has no pictures so it relies on words to describe exactly what has happened. The art of conception on a blackboard made of wording can be much more bleak that one first envisions, with the idea of body part removal not exactly touch-and-go. It is exactly what it proclaims itself to be on the back of the book - it has a bleakness hidden within it that I was drawn toward because of the excellent descriptions inside. The writing and the characterization are superb in here, and the book is not made for the squeamish. Instead, it draws on some rather morbid themes, keeping death in its pocket like so many would keep a stick of gum. I like that and the descriptive nature that the pages offer, and I like the way everything isn't just given to you. To find out more you have to read more, and 229 pages goes quickly that way.

If you want something worth reading and don't mind graphic details as the plot develops, then this would be something worth checking out. The murders, coupled with that Tokyopop feel, really manages to get under the skin and keep one reading. It also whispers sweet nothings into the ear that are well worth listening to, and it keeps the mind occupied and guessing at what will happen next.
Gorily worth reading (and loving).

This book was unlike anything I had read before. It's a mystery novel, but with a dark twist. It was very interesting to put the pieces from each short story together. If you are otaku, like mysteries, or are just looking for something different, this book is for you.