Book Cover

Rather than asking what God does for you, he thinks the real question is whether God has ever done anything for anyone. Forget about God, forget about other people - has anyone actually ever done anything for themselves? Can they even? As soon as they understand the impossibility of it, they want to die. People simply live, with no goal, no destination. They live like they're dead. Once they realize this, they make up their mind to die.

# Review

This book follows various characters from the Tokyo underworld in three separate storylines that intertwine with one another. The stories feature interesting characters such as a man trying to uncover more about the mysterious organization who killed his wife and a contract killer who sees the ghosts of his victims.

I had realized that I’d actually watched the film adaptation on the plane a long time ago. I thought that the film was one of the worst movies I’ve seen so the book is by far the better way to experience the story.

Isaka’s writing has some comedic elements and the writing style feels very precise although at times the pacing can drag. The story is very nihilistic with seemingly no central theme, nor any meaning. The book borders the absurd at times. There are some recurring themes, such as comparing humans to insects, and the characters themselves feel compelling.

# Conclusion

Interesting stories in a meaningless world.

# Overall rating: 7.2

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