Title: Audition
Author: Ryū Murakami
First published December 1, 1997
208 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780747589488 (ISBN10: 0747589488)
Rating: 3.52
Overview
Kenta’s life has been a series of meaningless one-night stands since his divorce. His friends, tired of seeing him wallow in self-pity, come up with a plan to help him find love.
They suggest he hold fake auditions for a new girlfriend, using his filmmaking expertise to find the perfect match. Kenta is hesitant, but decides to give it a try.
As the auditions progress, he meets a woman named Yumi who seems too good to be true. But as he falls deeper in love with her, he begins to uncover dark secrets about her past.
Will Kenta be able to accept the truth and move forward, or will he be consumed by his own desires?
About the Author
Meet Ryū Murakami, a Japanese novelist and filmmaker who has made waves in the literary world. Unlike Haruki Murakami or Takashi Murakami, Ryū is not related to them.
He wrote his first novel, Almost Transparent Blue, as a student, and it explored the themes of promiscuity and drug use among disaffected Japanese youth. Despite some critics labeling it as decadent, it won the newcomer’s literature prize in 1976 and the Akutagawa Prize later that year, becoming a bestseller.
In 1980, Murakami released Coin Locker Babies, which was also well-received by critics. Takashi Miike’s film Audition (1999) was based on one of Murakami’s novels, and he gave Miike his blessing to adapt Coin Locker Babies, but the project didn’t receive funding.
A new adaptation directed by Michele Civetta is currently in production.
Murakami is a man of many talents. He has played drums for a rock group called Coelacanth and even hosted a TV talk show.
Editoral Review
Audition by Ryu Murakami is a haunting novel that delves into the psyche of its characters and examines the dark side of human nature. Murakami is a prolific Japanese author known for his gritty and disturbing works, and Audition is no exception.
The novel was first published in Japan in 1997, and has since been translated into several languages. Audition is a psychological thriller that explores the themes of obsession, control, and violence.
The novel centers around Aoyama, a middle-aged widower who decides to hold an audition for a new wife. Aoyama is a successful businessman who has been single for seven years since his wife died.
He is looking for a new partner and decides to use a fake audition to find the perfect woman. As he sifts through the applications, he becomes enamored with Yamasaki Asami, a quiet and mysterious woman who appears to be perfect for him.
However, as Aoyama becomes more involved with Asami, he realizes that she has a dark and violent past that she is hiding from him. Murakami’s writing is sparse and evocative, creating a tense atmosphere that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.
He paints a vivid picture of Aoyama’s world, a world that is sterile and empty after the death of his wife. Aoyama is a sympathetic character initially, but as the novel progresses, the reader realizes that he is not as innocent as he appears.
Asami is a fascinating character, and the slow revelation of her past is both chilling and captivating. The novel raises important questions about the nature of relationships, female sexuality, and violence.
Murakami explores these themes with sensitivity and depth, avoiding sensationalism or gratuitous violence. He also exposes the sexism and objectification of women that exists in Japanese society.
While the novel is well-written and compelling, it has some significant flaws. The pacing is uneven, with some sections feeling slow or dragging on unnecessarily.
The ending is also somewhat unsatisfying, as it leaves many questions unanswered and feels abrupt. Additionally, some readers may find the violence depicted in the novel to be disturbing or triggering.
Overall, Audition is an excellent novel that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers and Japanese literature. While it has some flaws, the quality of Murakami’s writing and the depth of his exploration of important themes make it a worthwhile read.
I would recommend this novel to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and gripping novel. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
