Audition

By: Ryu Murakami, Ralph McCarthy - translator

Narrated by: David Shih

The long-awaited translation of the novel behind the cult classic Japanese movie.

In this gloriously over-the-top tale, Aoyama, a widower who has lived alone with his son ever since his wife died seven years before, finally decides it is time to remarry. Since Aoyama is a bit rusty when it comes to dating, a filmmaker friend proposes that, in order to attract the perfect wife, they do a casting call for a movie they don't intend to produce. As the resumes pile up, only one of the applicants catches Aoyama's attention - Yamasaki Asami - a striking young former ballerina with a mysterious past. Blinded by his instant and total infatuation, Aoyama is too late in discovering that she is a far cry from the innocent young woman he imagines her to be. The novel's fast-paced, thriller conclusion doesn't spare the listener as Yamasaki takes off her angelic mask and reveals what lies beneath.

Contains mature themes.

©1997 Ryu Murakami; translation copyright 2009 by Ralph McCarthy (P)2019 Tantor

Captivating Japanese Thriller

This gripping Japanese thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat. The story is masterfully crafted, with twists and turns that will leave you guessing until the very end. The author's exceptional writing style makes the characters come alive, and the suspense builds with every page.

Powerful tale

The slow, sensuous step by step development of the protagonist’s entrancement belies the power of the Climax. Four Stars. ****

Ok thriller

This was ok, I felt like the end was unnecessarily explained and rushed-why did it suddenly become an omniscient view and explain her process/history? It started as an ok idea and then just didn’t get any depth.

Grisly

My first Ryu Murakami book and I enjoyed the narration very much. Although a bit too grisly for my taste, I really liked Murakami's sharp and precise writing. Looking forward to more of his works.

Liked it

Picked this up as a quick filler until I find my next book, and I really enjoyed it. Slower start, and a bit predictable towards the end, but I still found myself locked in for the last 60 minutes.

Great October listen

This is short, fast, disturbing. I don't want to say much. I purposefully didn't read reviews ahead of time. I barely read the blurb.

What starts as a long wooing session, turns into a quick horror show

While the story was decent, it focused more on the infatuation and meeting of the antagonist, and I felt like the horror ending was a quick blip... and then the book was done. I wish the author had taken more time to explain the antagonist's reasoning for all of this instead of having the protagonist read it off like a chore list. Still a good story though.

Very very slow moving

The first 4.5 hours of this book are super slow and absolutely nothing interesting happens. Then when the story finally hits its climax it only lasts for a few minutes and the story ends. One of my friends once told me that the movie was the most horrifying thing he’d ever seen. Maybe so, but the book is horrifyingly boring.

darkly humorous

I didn't love the movie Audition and the book version didn't change my mind. Despite finding them quite funny I so far have not fully enjoyed any Ryu Murakami works. I always have super mixed feelings about them. He isn't for me, I think.

Very good narration.

Not the best, not the worst.

Well written, psychological/ slow burn type horror or thriller story. it was hard to decide whether to give it 3 or 4 stars for me. ultimately went with 4 because I thought the build up and ending was well executed.