Camila Sacripanti Sacripanti থেকে Ladbori, Maharashtra 441222, Inde
I have been wanting to read this ever since I have failed to see the movie.(A friend of mine mailed me the DVDs, but I only received disc 2) I ran through this 600+ page book in less than 24 hrs. I was captivated. Beware though, Takami does not hold back on the wanton violence --- It's GRAPHIC --- and it FILLS THE BOOK. Having first read The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins I can draw so many parallels between the two stories - They are too similar to be a coincidence. Each have teens tossed together to fight to the death in a gladiatorial manner by a Fascist Government. Battle Royale however, is the superior of the two stories. Takami took more time describing each character, and is a superior story teller.
I like this book. It makes me hungry. I read it and want to visit New York City so I can try out these delicious restaurants. It also makes me want to experience eating out the rich way: with evening dresses and jewelry. *sigh* I don't think that will ever happen though. I become aware of how little I know about the dining opportunities for wealthy and cultured people. Fascinating. I didn't even realize so much of that still exists today. I just thought everyone went out to eat at Red Lobster and considered that fine dining. Also, I really like how she "becomes" the people as she dresses up in disguise. It is interesting to think about the different facets of her personality that so easily escape when given the license to expose themselves by anonymity. It makes me wonder what I would be like or if I have similar facets hiding somewhere. I have noticed a few language problems, mostly from her bosses. Something about journalists, I think they feel obligated to include conversations verbatum lest they inadvertently take something out of context. (Funny, that is what a lot of reporters do on purpose these days just to put their own spin on things.) I guess I can respect that, but it doesn't make it any more fun to read that kind of language, especially when it is coming from a highly educated EDITOR who ought to have plenty of other vocabulary from which to draw! Seriously. That said, it is mostly in a minor conversation on page 120. Just skip the last 2/3 of the page, you won't miss anything important, and you'll avoid all that ugliness.