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The Name of the Game is a Kidnapping
THE WAGES OF CYNICISM
A battle-tested project leader at PR firm Cyberplan and a slippery bachelor, Sakuma is smug self-regard personified. But when his idea for a mini-theme park is dismissed as vacuous by client Nissei Auto, he’s met his Katsuragi, an heir and executive at the global carmaker who believes life is but a game. Once the man’s daughter teams up with Sakuma in a bid to come into her inheritance sooner rather than later…it’s time for a good ol’ kidnapping!
A battle-tested project leader at PR firm Cyberplan and a slippery bachelor, Sakuma is smug self-regard personified. But when his idea for a mini-theme park is dismissed as vacuous by client Nissei Auto, he’s met his Katsuragi, an heir and executive at the global carmaker who believes life is but a game. Once the man’s daughter teams up with Sakuma in a bid to come into her inheritance sooner rather than later…it’s time for a good ol’ kidnapping!
240 pages, Paperback
First published November 19, 2002
188 people are currently reading
3113 people want to read
About the author
Keigo Higashino
193 books8,288 followersAssociated Names:
* Keigo Higashino
* 東野 圭吾 (Japanese)
* 東野圭吾 (Traditional Chinese)
* ฮิงาชิโนะ เคโงะ (Thai)
Keigo Higashino (東野 圭吾) is one of the most popular and biggest selling fiction authors in Japan—as well known as James Patterson, Dean Koontz or Tom Clancy are in the USA.
Born in Osaka, he started writing novels while still working as an engineer at Nippon Denso Co. (presently DENSO). He won the Edogawa Rampo Prize, which is awarded annually to the finest mystery work, in 1985 for the novel Hōkago (After School) at age 27. Subsequently, he quit his job and started a career as a writer in Tokyo.
In 1999, he won the Mystery Writers of Japan Inc award for the novel Himitsu (The Secret), which was translated into English by Kerim Yasar and published by Vertical under the title of Naoko in 2004. In 2006, he won the 134th Naoki Prize for Yōgisha X no Kenshin. His novels had been nominated five times before winning with this novel.
The Devotion of Suspect X was the second highest selling book in all of Japan— fiction or nonfiction—the year it was published, with over 800,000 copies sold. It won the prestigious Naoki Prize for Best Novel— the Japanese equivalent of the National Book Award and the Man Booker Prize. Made into a motion picture in Japan, The Devotion of Suspect X spent 4 weeks at the top of the box office and was the third highest‐grossing film of the year.
Higashino’s novels have more movie and TV series adaptations than Tom Clancy or Robert Ludlum, and as many as Michael Crichton.
* Keigo Higashino
* 東野 圭吾 (Japanese)
* 東野圭吾 (Traditional Chinese)
* ฮิงาชิโนะ เคโงะ (Thai)
Keigo Higashino (東野 圭吾) is one of the most popular and biggest selling fiction authors in Japan—as well known as James Patterson, Dean Koontz or Tom Clancy are in the USA.
Born in Osaka, he started writing novels while still working as an engineer at Nippon Denso Co. (presently DENSO). He won the Edogawa Rampo Prize, which is awarded annually to the finest mystery work, in 1985 for the novel Hōkago (After School) at age 27. Subsequently, he quit his job and started a career as a writer in Tokyo.
In 1999, he won the Mystery Writers of Japan Inc award for the novel Himitsu (The Secret), which was translated into English by Kerim Yasar and published by Vertical under the title of Naoko in 2004. In 2006, he won the 134th Naoki Prize for Yōgisha X no Kenshin. His novels had been nominated five times before winning with this novel.
The Devotion of Suspect X was the second highest selling book in all of Japan— fiction or nonfiction—the year it was published, with over 800,000 copies sold. It won the prestigious Naoki Prize for Best Novel— the Japanese equivalent of the National Book Award and the Man Booker Prize. Made into a motion picture in Japan, The Devotion of Suspect X spent 4 weeks at the top of the box office and was the third highest‐grossing film of the year.
Higashino’s novels have more movie and TV series adaptations than Tom Clancy or Robert Ludlum, and as many as Michael Crichton.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 670 reviews
July 11, 2023
An exciting crime story about a kidnapping by Keigo Higashino.
Surprising that there were no police investigators' narratives in this novel.
I was shocked when the outcome of the kidnapping story.
The story was exciting and took a sudden turn.
It took me to reread the ending of this novel, especially the last crucial sentence.
So far, his books were never disappointed me.
Wish to watch this movie soon.
Surprising that there were no police investigators' narratives in this novel.
I was shocked when the outcome of the kidnapping story.
The story was exciting and took a sudden turn.
It took me to reread the ending of this novel, especially the last crucial sentence.
So far, his books were never disappointed me.
Wish to watch this movie soon.
April 23, 2024
‘The Name of the Game is a Kidnapping’ unfolds as a cerebral tapestry, woven with the threads of human cunning and the stark unpredictability of life’s chessboard. It is a novel that respects the intelligence of its readers, challenging us to think several moves ahead, to look beyond the obvious plays, and to appreciate the beauty of a game well played. The plot, while skirting the boundaries of believability, does so with such finesse that captivates and captures us within its hypnotic allure.
The story begins with an unorthodox proposition: a young woman, running away from home accepting a brazen proposition from a total stranger—a chance to be kidnapped. This counterintuitive decision thrusts them into an arena of psychological jousting, where trust is both a precious commodity and a prelude to treachery. The abductee and her captor are ensnared in a perilous pas de deux, yet Katsutoshi Katsuragi, their formidable adversary, is not one to concede defeat lightly.
What sets this thriller apart is its departure from melodrama of conventional thrillers. Higashino masterfully sidesteps the emotional excess often mired in the genre, presenting a more intellectual duel. His characters are not simply black and white piece in the game’s narrative; they are richly developed, each with their own endgames and hidden tactics, engaging in a battle of wits that is as much about personal triumph as it is about survival.
The narrative is strung like a high-tension wire, with the kidnapping scheme itself a work of art—intricate, calculated, and dangerously deceptive. Every element, down to the last penny of the ransom, is a deliberate move designed to outwit opponents. Higashino’s meticulous planning is apparent, as he scatters a trail of clues that guide us through an enigmatic forest of plot twists, each more bewildering than the last.
In his signature style, Higashino plays a cunning game with his audience through a series of forks and pins, planting the seeds of doubt and anticipation. We sense the twist looming on the horizon, yet its shape remains shrouded in mystery. When the revelation hits, it’s not just a turn in the tale; it’s a revelation that reshapes everything we thought we knew, leaving us stunned and hungry for more.
In this battle of intellects, where every decision could tip the scales between freedom and captivity, the ultimate question looms: Who will emerge victorious? This enigma keeps us tethered to the pages, desperate to uncover the fate that awaits these unconventional players.
The story begins with an unorthodox proposition: a young woman, running away from home accepting a brazen proposition from a total stranger—a chance to be kidnapped. This counterintuitive decision thrusts them into an arena of psychological jousting, where trust is both a precious commodity and a prelude to treachery. The abductee and her captor are ensnared in a perilous pas de deux, yet Katsutoshi Katsuragi, their formidable adversary, is not one to concede defeat lightly.
What sets this thriller apart is its departure from melodrama of conventional thrillers. Higashino masterfully sidesteps the emotional excess often mired in the genre, presenting a more intellectual duel. His characters are not simply black and white piece in the game’s narrative; they are richly developed, each with their own endgames and hidden tactics, engaging in a battle of wits that is as much about personal triumph as it is about survival.
The narrative is strung like a high-tension wire, with the kidnapping scheme itself a work of art—intricate, calculated, and dangerously deceptive. Every element, down to the last penny of the ransom, is a deliberate move designed to outwit opponents. Higashino’s meticulous planning is apparent, as he scatters a trail of clues that guide us through an enigmatic forest of plot twists, each more bewildering than the last.
In his signature style, Higashino plays a cunning game with his audience through a series of forks and pins, planting the seeds of doubt and anticipation. We sense the twist looming on the horizon, yet its shape remains shrouded in mystery. When the revelation hits, it’s not just a turn in the tale; it’s a revelation that reshapes everything we thought we knew, leaving us stunned and hungry for more.
In this battle of intellects, where every decision could tip the scales between freedom and captivity, the ultimate question looms: Who will emerge victorious? This enigma keeps us tethered to the pages, desperate to uncover the fate that awaits these unconventional players.
July 14, 2019
First of all, this book didn’t dazzle me as much as many of the author’s previous books, but I think it’s quite interesting to read. The protagonist Sakuma works at a PR firm. He treats everything like a game and he’s very good at winning. When his project idea gets dismissed for not being good enough, he feels slighted and decided to exact revenge.
What happens next is the game of kidnapping as you can guess from the title. The first half is slow and quite predictable. But, if you’ve read Higashino before, then you know you’re in for a surprise. I definitely enjoyed the last half of the book and the twist at the end. I loved the interaction between the characters and the discussion about masks. Give this book a try to you want to read something short and entertaining.
What happens next is the game of kidnapping as you can guess from the title. The first half is slow and quite predictable. But, if you’ve read Higashino before, then you know you’re in for a surprise. I definitely enjoyed the last half of the book and the twist at the end. I loved the interaction between the characters and the discussion about masks. Give this book a try to you want to read something short and entertaining.
August 28, 2021
এক লাইনে : পাঁচ তারা। সর্বোপরি বইটা পড়ে আমি বিনোদিত হয়েছি।
দ্য নেইম অব দ্য গেইম ইজ আ কিডন্যাপিং
লেখক : কেইগো হিগাশিনো
অনুবাদক : বিমুগ্ধ সরকার রক্তিম
প্রচ্ছদশিল্পী : সজল চৌধুরী
প্রকাশক : ভূমি প্রকাশ
দাম : ৩৪০ টাকা
কেইগো হিগাশিনো, আমাদের দেশে সবার আগে পরিচিতি পেয়েছেন 'দ্য ডিভোশন অব সাসপেক্ট এক্স'-এর লেখক হিসেবে। এরপর একই সিরিজের দ্বিতীয় বই 'দ্য সেইন্ট'ও পাঠকপ্রিয়তা পেয়েছে। গুডরিডসে 'দ্য নেইম অব দ্য গেইম ইজ আ কিডন্যাপিং' বইটা তার বইগুলার মাঝে সবচেয়ে কম রেটিং পেয়েছে (৩.৭৬)। তারপরও, বইটা যে অনবদ্য, সেটা স্বীকার করতেই হবে।
প্লট : সাকুমা, এড এজেন্সির দারুণ কর্মী, যে তার কাস্টমারের ওপর ক্ষেপে যায় তাকে তার পদ থেকে হঠানোর কারণে। প্রতিশোধ নেওয়ার সুযোগের খোঁজে তার কাস্টমার, কাতসুতোশি কাতসুরাগি'র বাড়ির আশপাশে ঘোরার সময় তার দেখা হয়ে যায় বাপের অবাধ্য মেয়ে জুরি কাতসুরাগির সাথে। দুজনে এবার এক কিডন্যাপিঙের নাটক সাজায়, যেটা নিশ্ছিদ্র করাই শেষ চ্যালেঞ্জ ছিল না। দুর্ভাগ্যক্রমে, খেলা এতই অভাবিত দিকে মোড় নেয় যে কার বিরুদ্ধে খেলছে আর আসলে কে খেলছে, তা নিয়েই বিপাকে পড়তে হয় সাকুমা এবং পাঠককে। একটা 'সেয়ানে সেয়ানে' টক্কর উপভোগ করার জন্য এই বইটা পড়তে পারন- তবে 'সেয়ান'টা আদতে কে বা কারা, সেটাই ধরতে পারবেন না।
ভালোমন্দ : প্রটাগনিস্ট সাকুমা-ই পাঠককে টেনে ধরার প্রথম কারণ। কর্পোরেট দুনিয়ার শেকড়ছাড়া লোক, সব চ্যালেঞ্জই যার কাছে একেকটা খেলা। তার প্রচন্ড প্রতিযোগী মনোভাব আর বুদ্ধিমত্তা, কাহিনীকে চমৎকার মাত্রা দিয়েছে। জুরি, কাতসুতোশি, এই চরিত্রগুলোও ভালো কন্ট্রিবিউট করেছে গল্পে।
বইটার ন্যারেটিভ পাঠককে পড়ে যেতে উদ্বুদ্ধ করে, আর অনুবাদকও সেটা তুলে ধরেছেন ভালোই।
একটা কিডন্যাপের খেলা সাজানো হচ্ছে (যেটা নাম থেকে পাঠক অনুমান করতেই পারবেন), তাকে নিশ্ছিদ্র করার জন্য কত ফাঁকফোকর চিন্তা করা হয়েছে, আবার পুলিশের হাত থেকে প্ল্যান বাঁচানোর জন্যও যা করা হয়েছে, তা মনে ধরবার মতো। আর পুরো খেলা সম্পন্ন হবার পর। শেষ পঞ্চাশ পৃষ্ঠায় পুরো ছক পালটে যাবার যে ট্যুইস্ট রয়েছে, সেটাই বইয়ের সবথেকে চমৎকার অংশ। আপনার মনে হতে পারে এটাও প্রেডিক্টেবল, কিন্তু পুরো ব্যাপারটা খোলাসা করার পর যেটা দেখা যাবে, সেটা একেবারেই অভাবিত ছিল, আর এখানেই কেইগো হিগাশিনো ভাস্বর।
বইয়ের আগাগোড়া : সজল ভাইয়ের সেরা কাজের একটা না হলেও, প্রচ্ছদের রং আর পৃষ্ঠার রং বইটা পড়াইয় ভালোলাগা যোগ করেছে। জ্যাকেটের নিচে মলাটে প্রচ্ছদ ছাপা নেই, এটা খারাপ লেগেছিল।
রক্তিম ভাইয়ের অনুবাদের দক্ষতা অনেক পাকাপোক্ত হয়েছে এই বইয়ে এসে। একদম মানসম্মত অনুবাদ, আর মাঝে মাঝে নাম-গুলোর অর্থ বুঝাতে জাপানি বর্ণ ব্যবহার করে ব্যবচ্ছেদ দেখানো-টাও ভালো লেগেছে। হয়ত ইংরেজি অনুবাদেও সেটা ছিল।
অনুবাদক এর আগে একই লেখকের 'স্যালভেশন অব আ সেইন্ট' অনুবাদ করছিলেন। তার মাঝেই বইটা বাজারে আসার ঘোষণা দেয় একটা প্রকাশনী, তখন সেটা ছেড়ে হিগাশিনোর এই বইটা ধরেন তিনি। এবং 'গুডরিডসে সবচে কম রেটিং পাওয়া বইটা'-কে বাংলাদেশি পাঠকদের কাছে সমান গ্রহণযোগ্য করে তোলার কৃতিত্ব আমি অনুবাদককেই দিব।
এক লাইনে : পাঁচ তারা। সর্বোপরি বইটা পড়ে আমি বিনোদিত হয়েছি।
দ্য নেইম অব দ্য গেইম ইজ আ কিডন্যাপিং
লেখক : কেইগো হিগাশিনো
অনুবাদক : বিমুগ্ধ সরকার রক্তিম
প্রচ্ছদশিল্পী : সজল চৌধুরী
প্রকাশক : ভূমি প্রকাশ
দাম : ৩৪০ টাকা
দ্য নেইম অব দ্য গেইম ইজ আ কিডন্যাপিং
লেখক : কেইগো হিগাশিনো
অনুবাদক : বিমুগ্ধ সরকার রক্তিম
প্রচ্ছদশিল্পী : সজল চৌধুরী
প্রকাশক : ভূমি প্রকাশ
দাম : ৩৪০ টাকা
কেইগো হিগাশিনো, আমাদের দেশে সবার আগে পরিচিতি পেয়েছেন 'দ্য ডিভোশন অব সাসপেক্ট এক্স'-এর লেখক হিসেবে। এরপর একই সিরিজের দ্বিতীয় বই 'দ্য সেইন্ট'ও পাঠকপ্রিয়তা পেয়েছে। গুডরিডসে 'দ্য নেইম অব দ্য গেইম ইজ আ কিডন্যাপিং' বইটা তার বইগুলার মাঝে সবচেয়ে কম রেটিং পেয়েছে (৩.৭৬)। তারপরও, বইটা যে অনবদ্য, সেটা স্বীকার করতেই হবে।
প্লট : সাকুমা, এড এজেন্সির দারুণ কর্মী, যে তার কাস্টমারের ওপর ক্ষেপে যায় তাকে তার পদ থেকে হঠানোর কারণে। প্রতিশোধ নেওয়ার সুযোগের খোঁজে তার কাস্টমার, কাতসুতোশি কাতসুরাগি'র বাড়ির আশপাশে ঘোরার সময় তার দেখা হয়ে যায় বাপের অবাধ্য মেয়ে জুরি কাতসুরাগির সাথে। দুজনে এবার এক কিডন্যাপিঙের নাটক সাজায়, যেটা নিশ্ছিদ্র করাই শেষ চ্যালেঞ্জ ছিল না। দুর্ভাগ্যক্রমে, খেলা এতই অভাবিত দিকে মোড় নেয় যে কার বিরুদ্ধে খেলছে আর আসলে কে খেলছে, তা নিয়েই বিপাকে পড়তে হয় সাকুমা এবং পাঠককে। একটা 'সেয়ানে সেয়ানে' টক্কর উপভোগ করার জন্য এই বইটা পড়তে পারন- তবে 'সেয়ান'টা আদতে কে বা কারা, সেটাই ধরতে পারবেন না।
ভালোমন্দ : প্রটাগনিস্ট সাকুমা-ই পাঠককে টেনে ধরার প্রথম কারণ। কর্পোরেট দুনিয়ার শেকড়ছাড়া লোক, সব চ্যালেঞ্জই যার কাছে একেকটা খেলা। তার প্রচন্ড প্রতিযোগী মনোভাব আর বুদ্ধিমত্তা, কাহিনীকে চমৎকার মাত্রা দিয়েছে। জুরি, কাতসুতোশি, এই চরিত্রগুলোও ভালো কন্ট্রিবিউট করেছে গল্পে।
বইটার ন্যারেটিভ পাঠককে পড়ে যেতে উদ্বুদ্ধ করে, আর অনুবাদকও সেটা তুলে ধরেছেন ভালোই।
একটা কিডন্যাপের খেলা সাজানো হচ্ছে (যেটা নাম থেকে পাঠক অনুমান করতেই পারবেন), তাকে নিশ্ছিদ্র করার জন্য কত ফাঁকফোকর চিন্তা করা হয়েছে, আবার পুলিশের হাত থেকে প্ল্যান বাঁচানোর জন্যও যা করা হয়েছে, তা মনে ধরবার মতো। আর পুরো খেলা সম্পন্ন হবার পর। শেষ পঞ্চাশ পৃষ্ঠায় পুরো ছক পালটে যাবার যে ট্যুইস্ট রয়েছে, সেটাই বইয়ের সবথেকে চমৎকার অংশ। আপনার মনে হতে পারে এটাও প্রেডিক্টেবল, কিন্তু পুরো ব্যাপারটা খোলাসা করার পর যেটা দেখা যাবে, সেটা একেবারেই অভাবিত ছিল, আর এখানেই কেইগো হিগাশিনো ভাস্বর।
বইয়ের আগাগোড়া : সজল ভাইয়ের সেরা কাজের একটা না হলেও, প্রচ্ছদের রং আর পৃষ্ঠার রং বইটা পড়াইয় ভালোলাগা যোগ করেছে। জ্যাকেটের নিচে মলাটে প্রচ্ছদ ছাপা নেই, এটা খারাপ লেগেছিল।
রক্তিম ভাইয়ের অনুবাদের দক্ষতা অনেক পাকাপোক্ত হয়েছে এই বইয়ে এসে। একদম মানসম্মত অনুবাদ, আর মাঝে মাঝে নাম-গুলোর অর্থ বুঝাতে জাপানি বর্ণ ব্যবহার করে ব্যবচ্ছেদ দেখানো-টাও ভালো লেগেছে। হয়ত ইংরেজি অনুবাদেও সেটা ছিল।
অনুবাদক এর আগে একই লেখকের 'স্যালভেশন অব আ সেইন্ট' অনুবাদ করছিলেন। তার মাঝেই বইটা বাজারে আসার ঘোষণা দেয় একটা প্রকাশনী, তখন সেটা ছেড়ে হিগাশিনোর এই বইটা ধরেন তিনি। এবং 'গুডরিডসে সবচে কম রেটিং পাওয়া বইটা'-কে বাংলাদেশি পাঠকদের কাছে সমান গ্রহণযোগ্য করে তোলার কৃতিত্ব আমি অনুবাদককেই দিব।
এক লাইনে : পাঁচ তারা। সর্বোপরি বইটা পড়ে আমি বিনোদিত হয়েছি।
দ্য নেইম অব দ্য গেইম ইজ আ কিডন্যাপিং
লেখক : কেইগো হিগাশিনো
অনুবাদক : বিমুগ্ধ সরকার রক্তিম
প্রচ্ছদশিল্পী : সজল চৌধুরী
প্রকাশক : ভূমি প্রকাশ
দাম : ৩৪০ টাকা
March 10, 2025
It's hard to review a dud by an author you've grown to love. The one rule I have is that a book shouldn't bore me. This didn't but it also left me wondering what its point was. The book starts with Sakuma losing a gig at work because the head honcho at the client's firm decided he wanted him off. Why? Who the fuck cares? The book doesn't really. He gets drunk and decides to go case his home. While there, he sees a young woman scale the walls and jump out then decides to follow her. He accosts her at a hotel and together they decide to launch a false kidnapping. She introduces herself as Juri, the head honcho's illegitimate daughter who's decided to run away from home after a fight over face cream. He comes up with a plan, a game, where they fake her kidnapping and will split the ransom cash.
The whole thing is ridiculous, convoluted and ultimately pointless. There's a whole conspiracy afoot under Sakuma's nose that he should have uncovered considering how much attention he pays to detail. He doesn't even verify Juri's identity and that eventually undoes his meh laid plans. When the twist unfolded, it ruined the whole book for me because it makes no sense.
When you try to describe the plot with the end in mind, it is even more nonsensical. It leaves me in a place where I don't know how to process the book. This is because I've read multiple Higashino-san books. I've read four and each of them explores humanity from different angles ultimately creating a vision of restorative justice even when it's hampered by the law. Japanese corporate culture is one thing that's constantly criticised by the native authors but in this book doesn't seem to give a fuck about any of that.
None of the characters have particularly believable motivations. Sakuma deciding to engage with the head honcho with a kidnapping is strange. This story would have made more sense if he was, perhaps an inventor whose device was stolen by the baddie. On the flip side, we have the illegitimate daughter getting bad vibes from her family and deciding to run away, contact him--as someone who was also recently affronted by the family and asking him to team up to get some kind of revenge as justice since the police can't help him get his invention back. I kept trying to "fix" the book and that becomes a death knell on the narrative. Is this an indictment on the story or my expectations getting the best of me? It's difficult to compute.
At the end of the day I have to admit, that while not a boring story, this book is one that misses Higashino-san's signature flair. As one of his earlier works, I also don't know if it's fair to judge it by that standard. Perhaps we needed this to be able to get his better books like Newcomer or The Devotion of Suspect X. I respect it for what it was attempting but I condemn it for its shortcomings and such a bizarre ending that was desperate to justify its entire plot. If you're interested in Higashino-san's works, perhaps start with this then go further into his Kaga or Galileo works so as to avoid this bizarre feeling. I feel like I got a bad bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau on the first day of the season.
2.5 stars rounded up because Keigo Higashino is a personal fave.
The whole thing is ridiculous, convoluted and ultimately pointless. There's a whole conspiracy afoot under Sakuma's nose that he should have uncovered considering how much attention he pays to detail. He doesn't even verify Juri's identity and that eventually undoes his meh laid plans. When the twist unfolded, it ruined the whole book for me because it makes no sense.
When you try to describe the plot with the end in mind, it is even more nonsensical. It leaves me in a place where I don't know how to process the book. This is because I've read multiple Higashino-san books. I've read four and each of them explores humanity from different angles ultimately creating a vision of restorative justice even when it's hampered by the law. Japanese corporate culture is one thing that's constantly criticised by the native authors but in this book doesn't seem to give a fuck about any of that.
None of the characters have particularly believable motivations. Sakuma deciding to engage with the head honcho with a kidnapping is strange. This story would have made more sense if he was, perhaps an inventor whose device was stolen by the baddie. On the flip side, we have the illegitimate daughter getting bad vibes from her family and deciding to run away, contact him--as someone who was also recently affronted by the family and asking him to team up to get some kind of revenge as justice since the police can't help him get his invention back. I kept trying to "fix" the book and that becomes a death knell on the narrative. Is this an indictment on the story or my expectations getting the best of me? It's difficult to compute.
At the end of the day I have to admit, that while not a boring story, this book is one that misses Higashino-san's signature flair. As one of his earlier works, I also don't know if it's fair to judge it by that standard. Perhaps we needed this to be able to get his better books like Newcomer or The Devotion of Suspect X. I respect it for what it was attempting but I condemn it for its shortcomings and such a bizarre ending that was desperate to justify its entire plot. If you're interested in Higashino-san's works, perhaps start with this then go further into his Kaga or Galileo works so as to avoid this bizarre feeling. I feel like I got a bad bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau on the first day of the season.
2.5 stars rounded up because Keigo Higashino is a personal fave.
July 23, 2017
This was fun.
Hot shot ad man, Sakuma has a change of luck. This starts a whole new game he decides to play. Revenge is the game, and Sakuma is a dedicated player. There is a lovely analysis of masks and I suppose if I were a better reviewer I'd go through various Noh plays and pick out the times that Sakuma or other characters displayed classic postures of Noh masks. Maybe I'll do it, later.
Even though I saw substantial portions of this long before they happened, there was a twist I didn't add in and it was definitely entertaining. In end, I read it one day and enjoyed myself. I raced through the last fifty pages and the very last one was worth it. So, yeah, I really liked it and I'll be checking out another of Higashino's book.
Hot shot ad man, Sakuma has a change of luck. This starts a whole new game he decides to play. Revenge is the game, and Sakuma is a dedicated player. There is a lovely analysis of masks and I suppose if I were a better reviewer I'd go through various Noh plays and pick out the times that Sakuma or other characters displayed classic postures of Noh masks. Maybe I'll do it, later.
Even though I saw substantial portions of this long before they happened, there was a twist I didn't add in and it was definitely entertaining. In end, I read it one day and enjoyed myself. I raced through the last fifty pages and the very last one was worth it. So, yeah, I really liked it and I'll be checking out another of Higashino's book.
September 4, 2023
Sakuma's biggest project for one of the biggest automotive companies is cancelled by its CEO and he seeks revenge on the person who did it.
Soon opportunity comes his way and he meets the daughter of the man he despises. She needs his help and they start a game pretending the girl was kidnapped.
In the story, they plan all operations in detail. Can they succeed? And are the things as they seem to be?
The story is full of twists and interesting moments. The end is shocking. But from the middle of the book you have some hints about the end.
Keigo Higashino didn't disappoint me again and I enjoyed the book.
Soon opportunity comes his way and he meets the daughter of the man he despises. She needs his help and they start a game pretending the girl was kidnapped.
In the story, they plan all operations in detail. Can they succeed? And are the things as they seem to be?
The story is full of twists and interesting moments. The end is shocking. But from the middle of the book you have some hints about the end.
Keigo Higashino didn't disappoint me again and I enjoyed the book.
Read
April 7, 2021Something rather different from this author: it's a heist story rather than a murder mystery, though as with all his work, the plotting makes a corkscrew look like a bradawl.
This one's very clever though depends rather too much on two entirely chance acts, one at the beginning and one at the end, which slightly took away from the cleverness. (A bit like those Dr Seuss books where he can find a perfect rhyme for anything simply by making up words that rhyme perfectly. Technically it works but it's still cheating.) Good but not his best, I'd say.
This one's very clever though depends rather too much on two entirely chance acts, one at the beginning and one at the end, which slightly took away from the cleverness. (A bit like those Dr Seuss books where he can find a perfect rhyme for anything simply by making up words that rhyme perfectly. Technically it works but it's still cheating.) Good but not his best, I'd say.
March 31, 2017
I am little baffled on how to rate this book. On one hand, this little mystery story is one of the better ones in its genre and on the other hand, if one compares it to other books written by Keigo Higashino falls way behind. So, I begrudgingly rate this book at 3 stars.
This book is about a battle of wits between two very smart people and none come out better at the end (in my humble opinion). There is nothing more to say about the story beyond this except that the reader is witness to a kidnapping and then the surprise ending. Anything more would be just spoilers.
Having said that, this book brings to question several things about morality. Be it the sensibility that allows certain people to treat a serious crime as a game or the vanity of the rich who think they are above the law. At the end, I ended up hating every character in the story.
Overall, I found this book - a breeze to read, quite entertaining and by the end, a little depressing.
This book is about a battle of wits between two very smart people and none come out better at the end (in my humble opinion). There is nothing more to say about the story beyond this except that the reader is witness to a kidnapping and then the surprise ending. Anything more would be just spoilers.
Having said that, this book brings to question several things about morality. Be it the sensibility that allows certain people to treat a serious crime as a game or the vanity of the rich who think they are above the law. At the end, I ended up hating every character in the story.
Overall, I found this book - a breeze to read, quite entertaining and by the end, a little depressing.
October 27, 2018
เคยเห็นหนังสือเล่มนี้มาตั้งแต่ฉบับพิมพ์กับสำนักพิมพ์ก่อนนี้
แต่ไม่เคยคิดจะอ่านเลย คิดว่าเป็นนิยายก๊องแก๊งแหววๆ
จนกระทั่งมาพิมพ์ใหม่ เรามานั่งไล่อ่านงานของนักเขียนคนนี้
เล่มนี้ก็เลยติดโผมาด้วยโดยบังเอิญ
แต่พออ่านเท่านั้นแหละ .. สนุกอ่ะ สนุกสุดในทั้งหมดที่อ่านมาเลยด้วยซ้ำ
อาจเป็นเพราะเราไม่คาดหวังมาก ยังคงดูถูกมันมาจากครั้งก่อน
ที่ไหนได้ พอถึงจุดหักมุม (ตามสไตล์นักเขียน) มุมแรกไป
มันก็เริ่มวางไม่ลง
แม้ว่าในสุดท้ายตอนจบของเล่มนี้จะไม่อึน ไม่ตรึงใจมากนัก
แต่ไม่รู้ทำไมเรากลับชอบมากกว่าเล่มอื่นๆ
สนุกดีค่ะ รับรองว่าไม่ใช่นิยายลักพาตัวง๊องแง๊งแน่นอน
แต่ไม่เคยคิดจะอ่านเลย คิดว่าเป็นนิยายก๊องแก๊งแหววๆ
จนกระทั่งมาพิมพ์ใหม่ เรามานั่งไล่อ่านงานของนักเขียนคนนี้
เล่มนี้ก็เลยติดโผมาด้วยโดยบังเอิญ
แต่พออ่านเท่านั้นแหละ .. สนุกอ่ะ สนุกสุดในทั้งหมดที่อ่านมาเลยด้วยซ้ำ
อาจเป็นเพราะเราไม่คาดหวังมาก ยังคงดูถูกมันมาจากครั้งก่อน
ที่ไหนได้ พอถึงจุดหักมุม (ตามสไตล์นักเขียน) มุมแรกไป
มันก็เริ่มวางไม่ลง
แม้ว่าในสุดท้ายตอนจบของเล่มนี้จะไม่อึน ไม่ตรึงใจมากนัก
แต่ไม่รู้ทำไมเรากลับชอบมากกว่าเล่มอื่นๆ
สนุกดีค่ะ รับรองว่าไม่ใช่นิยายลักพาตัวง๊องแง๊งแน่นอน
December 16, 2023
কেইগো হিগাশিনো কে আমরা যে রূপে সাধারণত চিনি বইটা ছিল ঠিক তার বেতিক্রম এবং একই সাথে ভিন্ন হলেও বেশ দারুন।
সত্যি বলতে এমন ভেরিয়েশন এর কারনে লেখকের তো বটেই জাপানিজ বই গুলোর প্রতি আকর্ষন আরো বাড়িয়ে দেয়।
অনুবাদ বেশ ভালো ছিল, সাবলিল আর ঝরঝরে। অনুবাদকের কাছে এমন ভালো কাজ আরো আশা রাখি।
সত্যি বলতে এমন ভেরিয়েশন এর কারনে লেখকের তো বটেই জাপানিজ বই গুলোর প্রতি আকর্ষন আরো বাড়িয়ে দেয়।
অনুবাদ বেশ ভালো ছিল, সাবলিল আর ঝরঝরে। অনুবাদকের কাছে এমন ভালো কাজ আরো আশা রাখি।
March 4, 2017
Right from the very first lines this felt wrong. After struggling with the style for almost 15% of the novel, I decided to check the name of the translator and it's not the same one who did all the other Keigo Higashino novels I have read in English. I understand that it isn't always possible to work with the same translator but a good translation is supposed to make the reader forget she's not reading the original work and that is simply not the case here. I had been eagerly waiting this novel (it was originally supposed to be released in early January but the date was changed twice) and I am very disappointed. I will finish reading it but from now on I will make sure to check the name of the translator before I buy another novel by Mr. Higashino.
January 18, 2025
This standalone by the author of the Detective Galileo and Detective Kaga series is focused pretty much exclusively on plot. Higashino’s books typically feature insights into human nature and unique aspects of Japanese culture. The Name of the Game… could actually be set in any affluent country, and the only aspect of human nature addressed is greed.
The main character, Sakuma, is a self-absorbed hot shot PR man whose proposal for an ad campaign is nixed by the top executive of the client it is intended for. His removal from the job lowers Sakuma’s status within his firm and triggers a plan to get revenge on that executive.
From there on, we observe each of Sakuma’s carefully planned moves, and his responses as events outside his control interfere with his strategy. How can he adapt - and are those events really random?
This should be an entertaining read for anyone who enjoys reading between the lines, looking for clues and trying to guess the resolution ahead of the big reveal. I was completely caught up in it by the end.
The main character, Sakuma, is a self-absorbed hot shot PR man whose proposal for an ad campaign is nixed by the top executive of the client it is intended for. His removal from the job lowers Sakuma’s status within his firm and triggers a plan to get revenge on that executive.
From there on, we observe each of Sakuma’s carefully planned moves, and his responses as events outside his control interfere with his strategy. How can he adapt - and are those events really random?
This should be an entertaining read for anyone who enjoys reading between the lines, looking for clues and trying to guess the resolution ahead of the big reveal. I was completely caught up in it by the end.
October 25, 2018
เกือบให้สามดาวซะแล้ว แต่เพราะมาพีคตอนจบเลยให้สี่ดาว
ช่วงแรกนิยายไหลไปเรื่อยๆ เนือยๆเอื่อยๆด้วยซ้ำ เล่าเรื่องการวางแผนลักพาตัวและเล่นเกมชิงไหว ชิงพริบ อ่านแล้วก็คิดแหละต้องมีอะไรซ่อนอยู่แน่ๆ สังหรณ์ตลอดแต่เดาไม่ถูก เดาถูกคงแปลก 5555 จนตอนใกล้จบเฉลยความจริงทุกอย่างคือเปรี้ยงๆเลย ไม่ควรอ่าน spoil ตอนจบก่อน
ชอบตอนจบนะ คือ ปูเรื่องมาตลอดว่าเป็นเกมสู้กันแค่แพ้ชนะ ไม่สู้กันถึงตาย เพราะสู้ไปก็บาดเจ็บสาหัสทั้งคู่เปล่าๆ
ช่วงแรกนิยายไหลไปเรื่อยๆ เนือยๆเอื่อยๆด้วยซ้ำ เล่าเรื่องการวางแผนลักพาตัวและเล่นเกมชิงไหว ชิงพริบ อ่านแล้วก็คิดแหละต้องมีอะไรซ่อนอยู่แน่ๆ สังหรณ์ตลอดแต่เดาไม่ถูก เดาถูกคงแปลก 5555 จนตอนใกล้จบเฉลยความจริงทุกอย่างคือเปรี้ยงๆเลย ไม่ควรอ่าน spoil ตอนจบก่อน
ชอบตอนจบนะ คือ ปูเรื่องมาตลอดว่าเป็นเกมสู้กันแค่แพ้ชนะ ไม่สู้กันถึงตาย เพราะสู้ไปก็บาดเจ็บสาหัสทั้งคู่เปล่าๆ
October 17, 2018
เพื่อนพูดถึงเรื่อง "โหงวเฮ้ง" หลังอ่านเรื่องนี้จบ ไอ้เราก็อ่านมานานมากแล้ว จำไม่ได้เลยว่ามีนิยายคุณเคโงะพูดถึง "โหงวเฮ้ง" ด้วยเหรอ?
หยิบมาอ่านรอบนี้ ชอบกว่ารอบแรกนะ คงเพราะรู้ตอนจบแล้ว พอพลิกกลับมาอ่าน เลยเข้าใจพฤติกรรมตัวละครได้ดีขึ้นค่ะ
"เกมนี้ชื่อลักพาตัว" (สนพ.เอ็นเธอร์) หรือชื่อใหม่ว่า "เกมรักพาตัว" (สนพ.ไดฟุคุลิท) เป็นนิยายแนวชิงไหวชิงพริบ มีเรื่องความรักแบบสต็อคโฮมซินโดรม(ความผูกพันระหว่างโจรเรียกค่าไถ่กับคนถูกลักพาตัว)
นี่เป็นหนึ่งในนิยายน้อยเรื่องมากๆ ของคุณเคโงะที่พระเอกนางเอกยังเป็นวัยหนุ่มสาวทั้งคู่
แถมยังเน้นอีกต่างหากว่านางเอกสวยมากและหุ่นดีสุดๆ (นอกจ��กเรื่องนี้ มีแค่นางเอกของ "พระอาทิตย์เที่ยงคืน" เท่านั้นแหล่ะค่ะ ที่คุณเคโงะจะระบุเรื่องความงามชัดขนาดนี้)
"เกมนี้ชื่อลักพาตัว" เล่าจากมุมมองแบบสรรพนามบุรุษที่ 1 ก็เลยทำให้เราอ่านไม่ถนัดเท่าไรเพราะเราไม่ชิน เพราะปกติ คุณเคโงะมักจะเล่าผ่านมุมมองแบบพระเจ้ากับมุมมองสรรพนามบุรุษที่ 3
อีกอย่าง เรื่องนี้เวอร์ชั่นเดิมที่ตีพิมพ์กับเอ็นเธอร์ก็ตั้งแต่ 2002 มาแล้ว ครั้งแรกที่พิมพ์ในญี่ปุ่นคงเก่ากว่านั้นมาก พอหลายๆ อย่างรวมกันเลยทำให้รู้สึกไม่เหมือนกำลังอ่านงานคุณเคโงะอยู่เลยล่ะค่ะ
วิธีการเล่าเรื่องนี้มันเหมาะจะหยิบไปสร้างหนังโรแมนติกธริลเล่อร์มาก เพราะตัวละครแต่ละคนนี่เก่งเว่อร์วังสุดๆ เรามีหมั่นไส้พระเอกนางเอกหลายรอบอยู่ คือต่างฝ่ายต่างเป็นมนุษย์มั่นใจแบบออกนอกหน้ามาก แต่ก็...นะ เค้าเก่งกันจริงๆ ล่ะค่ะ
อ่านเล่มนี้แล้วชวนให้นึกถึง "ฉันหายไปในวันหยุด" ของโอตสึอิจิ
เล่มนั้นก็ธีมลักพาตัวเหมือนกันค่ะ แต่ในแง่ความสมจริงและความสนุก เราว่า "เกมนี้ชื่อลักพาตัว" สนุกกว่าค่ะ
เรื่อง "โหงวเฮ้ง" ที่เกริ่นไป อ่านแล้วเราชอบนะคะ มีเรื่องโหงวเฮ้งพูดไว้จริงๆ มันอยู่ในเกมที่พระเอกเป็นคนสร้าง คือคุณเคโงะนำเสนอมุมมองเรื่องโหงวเฮ้งต่างไปจากที่เราคุ้นชินค่ะ เราอาจจะชินว่าโหงวเฮ้งคือสิ่งที่ติดตัวมาแต่เกิด และมันสามารถแปลความหมายออกมาได้เพื่อดูว่าคนๆ หนึ่งจะประสบความสำเร็จหรือล้มเหลวในอนาคตหรือไม่
แต่ในเล่มนี้บอกว่า "ชะตาชีวิตไม่ได้ถูกกำหนดตามหน้าตา
ระยะทางการดำเนินชีวิตที่ผ่านมาต่างหากที่เป็นตัวกำหนดหน้าตา
หน้าตาเป็นแค่ผล แต่การดำเนินนชีวิตเพื่อให้ได้หน้าตานั้นมาน่าจะสำคัญกว่า"
สรุปง่ายๆ คือ "ประสบการณ์สร้างใบหน้า แล้วใบหน้านั้นเป็นตัวกำหนดโชคชะตา" ค่ะ
หยิบมาอ่านรอบนี้ ชอบกว่ารอบแรกนะ คงเพราะรู้ตอนจบแล้ว พอพลิกกลับมาอ่าน เลยเข้าใจพฤติกรรมตัวละครได้ดีขึ้นค่ะ
"เกมนี้ชื่อลักพาตัว" (สนพ.เอ็นเธอร์) หรือชื่อใหม่ว่า "เกมรักพาตัว" (สนพ.ไดฟุคุลิท) เป็นนิยายแนวชิงไหวชิงพริบ มีเรื่องความรักแบบสต็อคโฮมซินโดรม(ความผูกพันระหว่างโจรเรียกค่าไถ่กับคนถูกลักพาตัว)
นี่เป็นหนึ่งในนิยายน้อยเรื่องมากๆ ของคุณเคโงะที่พระเอกนางเอกยังเป็นวัยหนุ่มสาวทั้งคู่
แถมยังเน้นอีกต่างหากว่านางเอกสวยมากและหุ่นดีสุดๆ (นอกจ��กเรื่องนี้ มีแค่นางเอกของ "พระอาทิตย์เที่ยงคืน" เท่านั้นแหล่ะค่ะ ที่คุณเคโงะจะระบุเรื่องความงามชัดขนาดนี้)
"เกมนี้ชื่อลักพาตัว" เล่าจากมุมมองแบบสรรพนามบุรุษที่ 1 ก็เลยทำให้เราอ่านไม่ถนัดเท่าไรเพราะเราไม่ชิน เพราะปกติ คุณเคโงะมักจะเล่าผ่านมุมมองแบบพระเจ้ากับมุมมองสรรพนามบุรุษที่ 3
อีกอย่าง เรื่องนี้เวอร์ชั่นเดิมที่ตีพิมพ์กับเอ็นเธอร์ก็ตั้งแต่ 2002 มาแล้ว ครั้งแรกที่พิมพ์ในญี่ปุ่นคงเก่ากว่านั้นมาก พอหลายๆ อย่างรวมกันเลยทำให้รู้สึกไม่เหมือนกำลังอ่านงานคุณเคโงะอยู่เลยล่ะค่ะ
วิธีการเล่าเรื่องนี้มันเหมาะจะหยิบไปสร้างหนังโรแมนติกธริลเล่อร์มาก เพราะตัวละครแต่ละคนนี่เก่งเว่อร์วังสุดๆ เรามีหมั่นไส้พระเอกนางเอกหลายรอบอยู่ คือต่างฝ่ายต่างเป็นมนุษย์มั่นใจแบบออกนอกหน้ามาก แต่ก็...นะ เค้าเก่งกันจริงๆ ล่ะค่ะ
อ่านเล่มนี้แล้วชวนให้นึกถึง "ฉันหายไปในวันหยุด" ของโอตสึอิจิ
เล่มนั้นก็ธีมลักพาตัวเหมือนกันค่ะ แต่ในแง่ความสมจริงและความสนุก เราว่า "เกมนี้ชื่อลักพาตัว" สนุกกว่าค่ะ
เรื่อง "โหงวเฮ้ง" ที่เกริ่นไป อ่านแล้วเราชอบนะคะ มีเรื่องโหงวเฮ้งพูดไว้จริงๆ มันอยู่ในเกมที่พระเอกเป็นคนสร้าง คือคุณเคโงะนำเสนอมุมมองเรื่องโหงวเฮ้งต่างไปจากที่เราคุ้นชินค่ะ เราอาจจะชินว่าโหงวเฮ้งคือสิ่งที่ติดตัวมาแต่เกิด และมันสามารถแปลความหมายออกมาได้เพื่อดูว่าคนๆ หนึ่งจะประสบความสำเร็จหรือล้มเหลวในอนาคตหรือไม่
แต่ในเล่มนี้บอกว่า "ชะตาชีวิตไม่ได้ถูกกำหนดตามหน้าตา
ระยะทางการดำเนินชีวิตที่ผ่านมาต่างหากที่เป็นตัวกำหนดหน้าตา
หน้าตาเป็นแค่ผล แต่การดำเนินนชีวิตเพื่อให้ได้หน้าตานั้นมาน่าจะสำคัญกว่า"
สรุปง่ายๆ คือ "ประสบการณ์สร้างใบหน้า แล้วใบหน้านั้นเป็นตัวกำหนดโชคชะตา" ค่ะ
January 16, 2024
It enthralled me on how I am still exhilaratingly enjoyed this plot even on my second read. I honestly don’t remember much on the after ransom scene so it gets super addictive to me in delving into Sakuma’s kidnapping game just to reach to those twists and revelation in its later chapters. It was a quiet, so secretive almost too bleak backdrop yet giving me a thrill and appealing insight of a staged crime that was triggered from a work-related conflict; of how Sakuma’s idea was dismissed by Nissei Auto and he was suddenly removed from the project team that when he heard someone said—“other than at crime, no one can beat Sakuma.”—he decided to dupe a hefty ransom to help a runaway heiress by ‘inviting’ her father, the executive of Nissei Auto to play a game.
"If you're interpreting it as revenge, that's unfortunate. I told you from the start, didn't I? This is a game."
I love how the plot having a clear motive and how it thicken in phases with almost a page-turner execution; a devious howdunnit plan that was so thoroughly curated with an unseen room of suspicion from Sakuma’s side and a willing hostage as pretty and wealthy as Juri. A playful adventure that goes so easy as planned for Sakuma; too straightforward with nothing mindblown or tricky much but this is where the excitement lured me in with a series of twists that even on this second read, I was still amazed on how Higashino could managed to plot the surprise for me.
Sakuma’s tone can be a bit narcissistic and arrogant yet his POV was so intensely inducing esp during the revelation part where his anxiousness interspersing grippingly throughout the narrative. I love the meeting scene with Katsutoshi Katsuragi at the end, bit suspense, so mischievous and might be abrupt but totally a well wrapped up ending to the game.
“𝘐𝘕𝘚𝘌𝘙𝘛 𝘊𝘖𝘐𝘕—it was the same as then. I opened my mouth at last. How about a game? A game that’ll grant your wish. Because this is a game, if it’s not fun, it’s not worth it.”
Thank you Times Reads for sending me a copy to review!
"If you're interpreting it as revenge, that's unfortunate. I told you from the start, didn't I? This is a game."
I love how the plot having a clear motive and how it thicken in phases with almost a page-turner execution; a devious howdunnit plan that was so thoroughly curated with an unseen room of suspicion from Sakuma’s side and a willing hostage as pretty and wealthy as Juri. A playful adventure that goes so easy as planned for Sakuma; too straightforward with nothing mindblown or tricky much but this is where the excitement lured me in with a series of twists that even on this second read, I was still amazed on how Higashino could managed to plot the surprise for me.
Sakuma’s tone can be a bit narcissistic and arrogant yet his POV was so intensely inducing esp during the revelation part where his anxiousness interspersing grippingly throughout the narrative. I love the meeting scene with Katsutoshi Katsuragi at the end, bit suspense, so mischievous and might be abrupt but totally a well wrapped up ending to the game.
“𝘐𝘕𝘚𝘌𝘙𝘛 𝘊𝘖𝘐𝘕—it was the same as then. I opened my mouth at last. How about a game? A game that’ll grant your wish. Because this is a game, if it’s not fun, it’s not worth it.”
Thank you Times Reads for sending me a copy to review!
March 22, 2020
เฮ้ย เล่มนี้สนุก
ตอนแรกนึกว่าจะเป็นสไตล์นิยาย รอม-คอม แบบจิกหมอนปนด้วยสืบสวนสอบสวนนิดหน่อย แต่ปรากฏว่าออกมาเป็น คมตัดคม ซะเฉยเลย
นิยายแนวสืบสวนสอบสวนผสมผสานด้วย รอม-คอม ฝีมือ Keigo ที่เปิดเรื่องด้วยความเจ็บใจของหนุ่มนักออกแบบโฆษณาที่มีระดับมันสมองสุดเทพ แต่ดันโดนรองประธานบริษัทผู้ว่าจ้างปฏิเสธโปรเจค ด้วยเหตุผลสุดจี๊ดว่า “ไม่มีวิสัยทัศน์” มันเลยตามมาด้วยการคิดแก้แค้น แต่การแก้แค้นครั้งนี้ เจ้าหนุ่มนี่มองว่าเป็นแค่เกม และเป็นเกมที่จะชนะเท่านั้น นั่นคือลักพาตัวลูกสาวสุดสวยของรองประธานซะเลย
เนื้อเรื่องช่วงแรกๆ กุ๊กกิ๊กมาก นึกภาพไปว่าถ้ามันจบง่ายๆ แบบ “แล้วสุดท้าย เขาก็ตกหลุมรักเธอเข้าจริงๆ” คงเซ็ง เพราะมันไม่ใช่ Keigo เลย
ระหว่างทางที่ลักพาตัวเรียกค่าไถ่นี่ เจ้าหนุ่มโชว์ step เทพในการวางแผนหลาย shot มาก
ส่วนคุณหนูผู้ถูกลักพาตัวก็ถูกสร้าง character ได้ดีทีเดียว
เอาเข้าจริงตอนเฉลยนี่สุดยอดมาก ทั้งแผนซ้อนแผน หักเหลี่ยมเฉือนคมกันสุดๆ
อ่านรวดเดียวจบ
เพลินมาก ดรามงดราม่าอะไรแทบไม่มี
โชว์ความสามารถในการวางแผนตบตา ปิดบัง ชิงไหวชิงพริบ เหมือนดั่งถูกร่ายมนตร์สะกด จนตะลึงโดย Keigo
แนะนำเลย เป็นอีกหนึ่งรสชาติฝีมือ Keigo ที่ควรลอง
ตอนแรกนึกว่าจะเป็นสไตล์นิยาย รอม-คอม แบบจิกหมอนปนด้วยสืบสวนสอบสวนนิดหน่อย แต่ปรากฏว่าออกมาเป็น คมตัดคม ซะเฉยเลย
นิยายแนวสืบสวนสอบสวนผสมผสานด้วย รอม-คอม ฝีมือ Keigo ที่เปิดเรื่องด้วยความเจ็บใจของหนุ่มนักออกแบบโฆษณาที่มีระดับมันสมองสุดเทพ แต่ดันโดนรองประธานบริษัทผู้ว่าจ้างปฏิเสธโปรเจค ด้วยเหตุผลสุดจี๊ดว่า “ไม่มีวิสัยทัศน์” มันเลยตามมาด้วยการคิดแก้แค้น แต่การแก้แค้นครั้งนี้ เจ้าหนุ่มนี่มองว่าเป็นแค่เกม และเป็นเกมที่จะชนะเท่านั้น นั่นคือลักพาตัวลูกสาวสุดสวยของรองประธานซะเลย
เนื้อเรื่องช่วงแรกๆ กุ๊กกิ๊กมาก นึกภาพไปว่าถ้ามันจบง่ายๆ แบบ “แล้วสุดท้าย เขาก็ตกหลุมรักเธอเข้าจริงๆ” คงเซ็ง เพราะมันไม่ใช่ Keigo เลย
ระหว่างทางที่ลักพาตัวเรียกค่าไถ่นี่ เจ้าหนุ่มโชว์ step เทพในการวางแผนหลาย shot มาก
ส่วนคุณหนูผู้ถูกลักพาตัวก็ถูกสร้าง character ได้ดีทีเดียว
เอาเข้าจริงตอนเฉลยนี่สุดยอดมาก ทั้งแผนซ้อนแผน หักเหลี่ยมเฉือนคมกันสุดๆ
อ่านรวดเดียวจบ
เพลินมาก ดรามงดราม่าอะไรแทบไม่มี
โชว์ความสามารถในการวางแผนตบตา ปิดบัง ชิงไหวชิงพริบ เหมือนดั่งถูกร่ายมนตร์สะกด จนตะลึงโดย Keigo
แนะนำเลย เป็นอีกหนึ่งรสชาติฝีมือ Keigo ที่ควรลอง
February 7, 2020
Được ưu điểm là truyện dễ đọc, không sa đà nhiều vào tâm lý, tình tiết thú vị lôi cuốn và kết bất ngờ. Điểm trừ là có nhiều lỗi logic trong kế hoach bắt cóc. Nhiều cái mà Sakuma tự hào kín kẽ trong thực tế hoàn toàn có thể lần ra dấu vết.
Tuy không nhấn vào chủ đề tâm lý xã hội sâu sắc như những cuốn khác nhưng cũng có các câu thoại châm biếm thú vị. Ấn tượng nhất là những đoạn Sakuma nói về ''mặt nạ''. Mỗi người chúng ta trong cuộc sống tùy lúc phải cố đeo lên những chiếc ''mặt nạ'' khác nhau để thích nghi với hoàn cảnh, các mối quan hệ xã hội phức tạp.
Không bằng Nghi Can X, Bạch Dạ Hành được nhưng là một sự đổi gió thú vị. Những ai chưa đọc Keigo mà nhập môn có khi lại thây thích vì dễ vào.
Chấm 7,25/10.Không có chế độ 3 sao rưỡi nên đành làm tròn xuống 3 sao vậy, dù có hơi khắt khe với bác Keigo tí.
Tuy không nhấn vào chủ đề tâm lý xã hội sâu sắc như những cuốn khác nhưng cũng có các câu thoại châm biếm thú vị. Ấn tượng nhất là những đoạn Sakuma nói về ''mặt nạ''. Mỗi người chúng ta trong cuộc sống tùy lúc phải cố đeo lên những chiếc ''mặt nạ'' khác nhau để thích nghi với hoàn cảnh, các mối quan hệ xã hội phức tạp.
Không bằng Nghi Can X, Bạch Dạ Hành được nhưng là một sự đổi gió thú vị. Những ai chưa đọc Keigo mà nhập môn có khi lại thây thích vì dễ vào.
Chấm 7,25/10.Không có chế độ 3 sao rưỡi nên đành làm tròn xuống 3 sao vậy, dù có hơi khắt khe với bác Keigo tí.
April 19, 2020
Câu chuyện diễn biến nhanh, và lôi cuốn độc giả, đúng như phong cách xưa nay của Keigo-sensei.
Mình không biết nhiều về cách sống của người Nhật, nhưng việc ông bố bỏ qua cho Chiharu về Juri thật sự khiến mình thắc mắc. Không phải họ đều là con ruột của ông ta sao?
Mình vẫn mong tìm được thêm một cuốn sách đỉnh cao giống như Phía sau nghi can X, mà có vẻ lại không thấy nữa rồi 😂😂
Btw, bạn nào muốn mua sách đẹp với giá hợp lí thì ghé page mình xem nha :") (https://tinyurl.com/wzjqs5e).
Mình không biết nhiều về cách sống của người Nhật, nhưng việc ông bố bỏ qua cho Chiharu về Juri thật sự khiến mình thắc mắc. Không phải họ đều là con ruột của ông ta sao?
Mình vẫn mong tìm được thêm một cuốn sách đỉnh cao giống như Phía sau nghi can X, mà có vẻ lại không thấy nữa rồi 😂😂
Btw, bạn nào muốn mua sách đẹp với giá hợp lí thì ghé page mình xem nha :") (https://tinyurl.com/wzjqs5e).
March 22, 2017
Was a crisp and taut mystery, true to Higashino style.
A young man working in an ad company is upset at the decision of the rich customer to have him removed from his car ad team, and he by chance meets the rich customer's disgruntled daughter while scouring his bungalow. They concoct a convoluted kidnap plan so as to benefit them both equally. From then on things are not straight forward. After many twists and turns, one reaches a surprising finale.
Would have been a five star book if things were kept a bit more simple and realistic.
A young man working in an ad company is upset at the decision of the rich customer to have him removed from his car ad team, and he by chance meets the rich customer's disgruntled daughter while scouring his bungalow. They concoct a convoluted kidnap plan so as to benefit them both equally. From then on things are not straight forward. After many twists and turns, one reaches a surprising finale.
Would have been a five star book if things were kept a bit more simple and realistic.
October 14, 2020
3.75/5
Quyển này không quá cuốn hút mình như Ác ý trước đó. Tuy nhiên đọc cũng rất ok. Nhân vật không tốt xấu hoàn toàn, twist cũng ổn, không quá bất ngờ nhưng cũng k quá nhạt nhẽo.
Mình nghĩ quyển này cũng chả phải trinh thám lắm đâu vì đúng như tên truyện, nó như kiểu trò chơi ấy. Bạn nào muốn trinh thám, tìm kiếm hung hay động cơ gây án thì không có đâu.
Tóm lại, bác Keigo vẫn khiến mình bất ngờ trước quyển này, vì nó k giống bất cứ quyển nào bác viết mà mình đã đọc. Tâm phục trước sự sáng tạo về cách kể chuyện và đề tài mà bác khai thác!!!
Quyển này không quá cuốn hút mình như Ác ý trước đó. Tuy nhiên đọc cũng rất ok. Nhân vật không tốt xấu hoàn toàn, twist cũng ổn, không quá bất ngờ nhưng cũng k quá nhạt nhẽo.
Mình nghĩ quyển này cũng chả phải trinh thám lắm đâu vì đúng như tên truyện, nó như kiểu trò chơi ấy. Bạn nào muốn trinh thám, tìm kiếm hung hay động cơ gây án thì không có đâu.
Tóm lại, bác Keigo vẫn khiến mình bất ngờ trước quyển này, vì nó k giống bất cứ quyển nào bác viết mà mình đã đọc. Tâm phục trước sự sáng tạo về cách kể chuyện và đề tài mà bác khai thác!!!
September 3, 2019
เรื่องราวแผนการลักพาตัวหลอก ๆ ของพนักงานบริษัทหนุ่มกับลูกสาวเจ้าของโปรเจ็กท์ที่ปลดเขาออกจากงาน
มันไม่ใช่นวนิยายรักโรแมนติกอย่างคำโปรยปก 3 ใน 4 ของเรื่องคือการวางแผนผ่านหัวคิดอันชาญฉลาดของพระเอก ออกจะเนิบและน่าเบื่อไปบ้าง อยากอ่านถึงจุดไคลแม็กซ์เร็ว ๆ แต่พอเข้าถึงจุดเฉลยปมเท่านั้น เรื่องราวพลิกไปพลิกมา เหมือนโดนตีหัว สุดยอดทั้งคนเขียนและตัวละครที่เขาสร้างขึ้นมา เคโงะคืออัจฉริยะ
มันไม่ใช่นวนิยายรักโรแมนติกอย่างคำโปรยปก 3 ใน 4 ของเรื่องคือการวางแผนผ่านหัวคิดอันชาญฉลาดของพระเอก ออกจะเนิบและน่าเบื่อไปบ้าง อยากอ่านถึงจุดไคลแม็กซ์เร็ว ๆ แต่พอเข้าถึงจุดเฉลยปมเท่านั้น เรื่องราวพลิกไปพลิกมา เหมือนโดนตีหัว สุดยอดทั้งคนเขียนและตัวละครที่เขาสร้างขึ้นมา เคโงะคืออัจฉริยะ
March 7, 2022
Note nhẹ: Đừng đọc bìa 4 nếu bạn không muốn bị spoil nhaaaaa!!!
Đang trong đợt giãn cách xã hội do corona, nằm ở nhà cầm cuốn này lên đọc cái vèo trong vòng một ngày luôn. Đúng là bác Keigo idol của mình, truyện không bao giờ làm mình ngừng nín thở vì hồi hộp và và bàng hoàng vì những cú twist cực đỉnh. Nhất là câu cuối cùng! Tuyệt vời!!!
Đang trong đợt giãn cách xã hội do corona, nằm ở nhà cầm cuốn này lên đọc cái vèo trong vòng một ngày luôn. Đúng là bác Keigo idol của mình, truyện không bao giờ làm mình ngừng nín thở vì hồi hộp và và bàng hoàng vì những cú twist cực đỉnh. Nhất là câu cuối cùng! Tuyệt vời!!!
October 5, 2020
A very very different Higashino than usual. Though you have the meticulous plot full of twists and turns, everything else feels like a different writer all together.
The biggest obstacle for Higashino fans is likely our narrator, who is a total jerk. The unlikable female narrator is something we've talked about a lot in the last decade or so, but the unlikable male narrator is another thing all together. This guy sucks and he sucks enough that you can tell there is no way that he is going to be redeemed or see the error of his ways by the end of the book. So you have to know you're going in to a book where this guy is going to be sizing up women and playing stupid games of masculinity with men and that is just the thing.
All that said, it is a unique mystery and one that mostly works because our guy sucks so much. A good person would not do the stuff he does. So I see what Higashino is doing here and it mostly works. I didn't get to revel in it as much as I do with his best stuff, but he's always interesting and even if you have some suspicions that there's more here than meets the eye, the twists are legitimately surprising. The pacing is the biggest flaw, it's a very short third act with most of the twists all packed in together. But I admit, I was so pleased to find a Higashino that I was willing to forgive a multitude of sins.
The biggest obstacle for Higashino fans is likely our narrator, who is a total jerk. The unlikable female narrator is something we've talked about a lot in the last decade or so, but the unlikable male narrator is another thing all together. This guy sucks and he sucks enough that you can tell there is no way that he is going to be redeemed or see the error of his ways by the end of the book. So you have to know you're going in to a book where this guy is going to be sizing up women and playing stupid games of masculinity with men and that is just the thing.
All that said, it is a unique mystery and one that mostly works because our guy sucks so much. A good person would not do the stuff he does. So I see what Higashino is doing here and it mostly works. I didn't get to revel in it as much as I do with his best stuff, but he's always interesting and even if you have some suspicions that there's more here than meets the eye, the twists are legitimately surprising. The pacing is the biggest flaw, it's a very short third act with most of the twists all packed in together. But I admit, I was so pleased to find a Higashino that I was willing to forgive a multitude of sins.
August 10, 2019
โดยปกติแล้วถ้ารู้มาก่อนว่าเล่มไหน 'หลอกคนอ่าน' ได้เจ๋งมากๆ เราจะตั้งตาเก็บทุกเบาะแสที่ผู้เขียนทิ้งให้ และจินตนาการถึงความเป็นไปได้ของมันแบบสุดโต่ง เพื่อชัยชนะเล็กน้อยประมาณว่า คนเขียนครับ คุณไปได้ไม่เท่าที่ผมคิดหรอก 555 ก่อนความมั่นนี้จะถูกทำลายไปตอนอ่านบ้านพักคนตาย onz ซึ่งก็แบบว่า เออ ยอม
เล่มนี้สนุกตามมาตรฐาน ต้นราบ แรงปลาย คือพอถึงจุดเฉลยแล้วเรื่องพลิกไปอีกทางเลย ถามว่าเดาได้หรือไม่ ก็เดาๆ อยู่ว่าอาจจะเป็นแบบนี้ ใกล้เคียงบ้างแต่ไม่ถูกซะทีเดียว ยอมรับว่าคนเขียนวางแผนเรื่องมาดีจริง เพียงแต่ตัวละครเอกอาจจะไม่ใช่ในแบบที่เราชอบ เลยยังรู้สึกไม่ค่อยอิ่มเอมเท่าที่ควร
เล่มนี้สนุกตามมาตรฐาน ต้นราบ แรงปลาย คือพอถึงจุดเฉลยแล้วเรื่องพลิกไปอีกทางเลย ถามว่าเดาได้หรือไม่ ก็เดาๆ อยู่ว่าอาจจะเป็นแบบนี้ ใกล้เคียงบ้างแต่ไม่ถูกซะทีเดียว ยอมรับว่าคนเขียนวางแผนเรื่องมาดีจริง เพียงแต่ตัวละครเอกอาจจะไม่ใช่ในแบบที่เราชอบ เลยยังรู้สึกไม่ค่อยอิ่มเอมเท่าที่ควร
April 2, 2025
update lần đọc thứ 2: 4.5/5
Cảm nghĩ vẫn giống review ngày xưa. Tuy nhiên đọc đoạn hành động theo kế hoạch bắt cóc hơi dài dòng.
**review cũ
4.75 stars
Mình công nhận đây là một cốt truyện khá độc đáo và cách kết thúc khiến mình khá bất ngờ. Mình có thử đoán trước cái kết nhưng hóa ra vẫn sai. Câu chuyện chỉ được kể từ góc nhìn của Sakuma, nhân vật chính, nên rõ ràng đó là ý đồ của tác giả khi cố ý để người đọc chỉ biết được một phía của sự việc. Vì vậy, không chỉ ở cốt truyện thú vị, mà còn là cải cảm giác khi đọc truyện, mình thấy bồn chồn, không yên, luôn cảm thấy có gì đó không ổn, có gì đó sẽ khiến Sakuma gặp rắc rối. Mình chỉ theo dõi được diễn tiến sự việc từ phía Sakuma mà không biết đổi thủ có phản ứng và hành động như thế nào.
Mình rất ấn tượng với cách tác giả xoay chuyển, biến tấu chủ đề về bắt cóc. Lấy bắt cóc là một trò chơi thử tài của Sakuma, ta thấy một động cơ mấu chốt không phải là vì tiền, hay vì trả thù như những hành động phạm tội khác. Ở đây chỉ đơn thuần là một sự thử thách, một kiểu trổ tài, để cho thấy khả năng và năng lực của bản thân với một đối thủ đã dám đánh giá thấp mình. Điều đó đã là đủ để gợi nên sự tò mò ở người đọc. Một người chưa từng phạm tội bao giờ, bây giờ phải thực hiện một hành động nguy hiểm cần đến nhiều sự tính toán và lên kế hoạch tỉ mỉ, không được phép sai sót, nhưng không phải để trả thù - với mình, đó chỉ là sự đáp trả của lòng tự trọng đã bị xúc phạm nặng nề, đòi hỏi một lời giải thích xứng đáng. Không vì tiền, vì tình, vì trả thù, mà đơn thuần là vì cái tôi cá nhân và vì muốn chứng minh bản thân với đối thủ.
Và để kết hợp với một cốt truyện gây tò mò, thu hút người đọc như vậy thì không thể thiếu đến nhân vật chủ chốt Sakuma. Mở đầu truyện đã cho thấy Sakuma không phải là một nhân vật tốt bụng, dễ mến. Anh kiêu ngạo, tham vọng, đắc ý với những gì mình thể hiện. Anh có những tính chất của một alpha male đặc thù, coi phụ nữ như một dạng công cụ phục vụ cho dục vọng của mình. Tác giả xây dựng Sakuma thành một kiểu người đáng ghét, coi thường phụ nữ, chỉ biết đến cá nhân và đề cao bản thân hết thảy. Anh ta ích kỉ, vô cảm, vô tình. Nhưng dù như vậy, mình vẫn rất thích Sakuma và cảm thấy anh đặc biệt hấp dẫn. Vì luôn giữ một cái đầu lạnh, tỉnh táo nên Sakuma mới nghĩ ra ý tưởng liều lĩnh như vậy. Và vì tác giả đã xây dựng Sakuma là một con người hiếu thắng, tự tin, việc anh quyết định thực hiện kế hoạch đó càng làm tăng cái kịch tính của sự đối đầu giữa những bộ óc thông minh và xảo quyệt. Nhưng không ai ngờ kế hoạch được khởi động nhờ vào sự tình cờ liên quan đến cô con gái của đối thủ.
Cả quá trình lên kế hoạch và thực hiện nó cho thấy những sự mưu tính rất tỉ mỉ của Sakuma. Anh hành động hoàn toàn theo logic và lý trí. Anh phân tích từng bước đi khả thi của mình và dự đoán phản ứng từ đối thủ. Từ đó, anh quyết định xem nên làm gì tiếp theo, và cách thực hiện như thế nào. Phải nói là Sakuma suy xét vô cùng kĩ lưỡng từ mọi khía cạnh để đảm bảo kế hoạch thành công. Trong quá trình thực hiện từng bước, anh không ngừng theo dõi trạng thái và hành động của đối thủ. Anh quan sát và tự rút ra những nghi vấn hay kết luận để xác định bước tiêp theo. Vì mình đang thích Sakuma rồi, nên những nghi vẫn của anh khiến mình rất lo lắng. Việc tác giả không cho phép người đọc biết về suy nghĩ của đối phương khiến người đọc và Sakuma đang ở cùng trên một chiếc thuyền - chính người đọc không thể biết được những nguy cơ đe dọa tới kế hoạch của Sakuma. Khi kế hoạch kết thúc, thành công, mình thở phào, nhưng đồng thời cảm thấy có gì đó khuất tất. Vẫn còn nhiều điểm không khớp. Đến lúc này thì tác giả xoay chuyển tình thế. Đó là một cú twist - không chỉ với người đọc - trời giáng vào kế hoạch hoàn hảo của Sakuma. Chuyện gì đang xảy ra? Tất cả trò chơi này, với Sakuma, la nghiêm túc, nhưng với đối phương, điều đó nghĩa là gì? Sự thật được phơi bày còn đáng sợ hơn nhiều so với những gì Sakuma nghĩ, nó không hề đơn giản mà là một sự che đậy tài tình.
Một điều nữa rất đáng khen là tác giả biết sử dụng các nhân vật không hề tốt đẹp để tham gia vào câu chuyện này. Ngoài ra, mối quan hệ tình cảm giữa Sakuma và nhân vật nữ không khiến mình phải đảo mắt hay ngán ngẩm. Sakuma không vì tình cảm mà bị lung lay. Anh gắn bó với trò chơi này từ đầu đến cuối, suy nghĩ thấu đáo, tình cảm với anh chỉ là một bước đệm để đảm bảo sự cam kết của những người tham gia - dù tình cảm đó phát sinh trong vô thức. Vì Sakuma không phải là người tốt, nên anh không bị xáo trộn bởi lương tâm quá nhiều. Tuy vậy, khi mọi chuyện trật đường ray, Sakuma đã mất đi vẻ điềm tĩnh, lạnh lùng của mình và trở thành một con người đầy lo lắng, bất an - ở đây, tác giả đã cho thấy phần mềm yếu, dễ tổn thương của Sakuma, một con người đã phải quen độc lập, quen tỏ ra mạnh mẽ, quen với việc đeo mặt nạ để che giấu "shadow" của mình. Vậy là, cuốn sách này còn nói về việc đón nhận phần "shadow" trong mỗi con người như thế nào để phát triển cá nhân và nhận thức bản thân.
Cảm nghĩ vẫn giống review ngày xưa. Tuy nhiên đọc đoạn hành động theo kế hoạch bắt cóc hơi dài dòng.
**review cũ
4.75 stars
Mình công nhận đây là một cốt truyện khá độc đáo và cách kết thúc khiến mình khá bất ngờ. Mình có thử đoán trước cái kết nhưng hóa ra vẫn sai. Câu chuyện chỉ được kể từ góc nhìn của Sakuma, nhân vật chính, nên rõ ràng đó là ý đồ của tác giả khi cố ý để người đọc chỉ biết được một phía của sự việc. Vì vậy, không chỉ ở cốt truyện thú vị, mà còn là cải cảm giác khi đọc truyện, mình thấy bồn chồn, không yên, luôn cảm thấy có gì đó không ổn, có gì đó sẽ khiến Sakuma gặp rắc rối. Mình chỉ theo dõi được diễn tiến sự việc từ phía Sakuma mà không biết đổi thủ có phản ứng và hành động như thế nào.
Mình rất ấn tượng với cách tác giả xoay chuyển, biến tấu chủ đề về bắt cóc. Lấy bắt cóc là một trò chơi thử tài của Sakuma, ta thấy một động cơ mấu chốt không phải là vì tiền, hay vì trả thù như những hành động phạm tội khác. Ở đây chỉ đơn thuần là một sự thử thách, một kiểu trổ tài, để cho thấy khả năng và năng lực của bản thân với một đối thủ đã dám đánh giá thấp mình. Điều đó đã là đủ để gợi nên sự tò mò ở người đọc. Một người chưa từng phạm tội bao giờ, bây giờ phải thực hiện một hành động nguy hiểm cần đến nhiều sự tính toán và lên kế hoạch tỉ mỉ, không được phép sai sót, nhưng không phải để trả thù - với mình, đó chỉ là sự đáp trả của lòng tự trọng đã bị xúc phạm nặng nề, đòi hỏi một lời giải thích xứng đáng. Không vì tiền, vì tình, vì trả thù, mà đơn thuần là vì cái tôi cá nhân và vì muốn chứng minh bản thân với đối thủ.
Và để kết hợp với một cốt truyện gây tò mò, thu hút người đọc như vậy thì không thể thiếu đến nhân vật chủ chốt Sakuma. Mở đầu truyện đã cho thấy Sakuma không phải là một nhân vật tốt bụng, dễ mến. Anh kiêu ngạo, tham vọng, đắc ý với những gì mình thể hiện. Anh có những tính chất của một alpha male đặc thù, coi phụ nữ như một dạng công cụ phục vụ cho dục vọng của mình. Tác giả xây dựng Sakuma thành một kiểu người đáng ghét, coi thường phụ nữ, chỉ biết đến cá nhân và đề cao bản thân hết thảy. Anh ta ích kỉ, vô cảm, vô tình. Nhưng dù như vậy, mình vẫn rất thích Sakuma và cảm thấy anh đặc biệt hấp dẫn. Vì luôn giữ một cái đầu lạnh, tỉnh táo nên Sakuma mới nghĩ ra ý tưởng liều lĩnh như vậy. Và vì tác giả đã xây dựng Sakuma là một con người hiếu thắng, tự tin, việc anh quyết định thực hiện kế hoạch đó càng làm tăng cái kịch tính của sự đối đầu giữa những bộ óc thông minh và xảo quyệt. Nhưng không ai ngờ kế hoạch được khởi động nhờ vào sự tình cờ liên quan đến cô con gái của đối thủ.
Cả quá trình lên kế hoạch và thực hiện nó cho thấy những sự mưu tính rất tỉ mỉ của Sakuma. Anh hành động hoàn toàn theo logic và lý trí. Anh phân tích từng bước đi khả thi của mình và dự đoán phản ứng từ đối thủ. Từ đó, anh quyết định xem nên làm gì tiếp theo, và cách thực hiện như thế nào. Phải nói là Sakuma suy xét vô cùng kĩ lưỡng từ mọi khía cạnh để đảm bảo kế hoạch thành công. Trong quá trình thực hiện từng bước, anh không ngừng theo dõi trạng thái và hành động của đối thủ. Anh quan sát và tự rút ra những nghi vấn hay kết luận để xác định bước tiêp theo. Vì mình đang thích Sakuma rồi, nên những nghi vẫn của anh khiến mình rất lo lắng. Việc tác giả không cho phép người đọc biết về suy nghĩ của đối phương khiến người đọc và Sakuma đang ở cùng trên một chiếc thuyền - chính người đọc không thể biết được những nguy cơ đe dọa tới kế hoạch của Sakuma. Khi kế hoạch kết thúc, thành công, mình thở phào, nhưng đồng thời cảm thấy có gì đó khuất tất. Vẫn còn nhiều điểm không khớp. Đến lúc này thì tác giả xoay chuyển tình thế. Đó là một cú twist - không chỉ với người đọc - trời giáng vào kế hoạch hoàn hảo của Sakuma. Chuyện gì đang xảy ra? Tất cả trò chơi này, với Sakuma, la nghiêm túc, nhưng với đối phương, điều đó nghĩa là gì? Sự thật được phơi bày còn đáng sợ hơn nhiều so với những gì Sakuma nghĩ, nó không hề đơn giản mà là một sự che đậy tài tình.
Một điều nữa rất đáng khen là tác giả biết sử dụng các nhân vật không hề tốt đẹp để tham gia vào câu chuyện này. Ngoài ra, mối quan hệ tình cảm giữa Sakuma và nhân vật nữ không khiến mình phải đảo mắt hay ngán ngẩm. Sakuma không vì tình cảm mà bị lung lay. Anh gắn bó với trò chơi này từ đầu đến cuối, suy nghĩ thấu đáo, tình cảm với anh chỉ là một bước đệm để đảm bảo sự cam kết của những người tham gia - dù tình cảm đó phát sinh trong vô thức. Vì Sakuma không phải là người tốt, nên anh không bị xáo trộn bởi lương tâm quá nhiều. Tuy vậy, khi mọi chuyện trật đường ray, Sakuma đã mất đi vẻ điềm tĩnh, lạnh lùng của mình và trở thành một con người đầy lo lắng, bất an - ở đây, tác giả đã cho thấy phần mềm yếu, dễ tổn thương của Sakuma, một con người đã phải quen độc lập, quen tỏ ra mạnh mẽ, quen với việc đeo mặt nạ để che giấu "shadow" của mình. Vậy là, cuốn sách này còn nói về việc đón nhận phần "shadow" trong mỗi con người như thế nào để phát triển cá nhân và nhận thức bản thân.
August 9, 2017
This translation is awful. Bizarre slang choices, entire sentences that don't make sense. But the story is so entertaining, clever, fast-paced and well constructed that it shockingly makes little difference. Now I have read every single Higashino book in English, and I'm a little sad that it's all over.
July 24, 2021
A perfect Crime! what more can I say!
বরাবরের মতোই, হিগাশিনো ট্রেইট বিদ্যমান। অর্থাৎ কি,ক্রাইম,কে,কেনো কিভাবে করলো তা বই এর শুরুতেই খোলাসা করে দেওয়া! কোটিপতি বাবা কাতসুতোশি কাতসুরাগির মেয়ে জুরি বাসায় রাগ করে বাসা থেকে পালিয়ে যাচ্ছিলো। ছোটো বোন চিহারুর সাথে ঝগড়া করেছিলো সে। রাস্তায় তাকে দেখে ফেলে সাকুমা। সাকুমা কাতসুরাগির ওপর ক্ষেপে ছিলো। কাতসুরাগি তাদের গাড়ির নতুন প্রজেক্ট থেকে সাকুমাকে সড়িয়ে দেওয়ার কারনে। অপমানিত বোধ আর রাগ থেকে সে জুরিকে ফলো করা শুরু করে। একসময় জুরি স্বীকার করে সে বাসায় ফিরবে না কিন্তু তার টাকার দরকার। দুইজনেই প্রতিহিংসা চরিতার্থ করতে ফেক কিডন্যাপিং সাজায়! এই হলো কাহিনী। যা আগে থেকেই বলে দেওয়া উপন্যাসের শুরুতেই! তবু এজ ইজুয়াল, হিগাশিনোর উপন্যাস, পেইজ টার্নার! কিডন্যাপিং গেইম এর আড়ালে আমি বার বার বুঝতে ভুল করেছি। মানে আমাকে দিয়ে ভুল করানো হয়েছে কোনটা ঠিক,কোনটা বেঠিক বুঝে নিতে। শুরু থেকে বলে দেওয়া থাকলেও কিডন্যাপিং এর সাথে সাথে যে অন্য আরো একটি গল্প একই সাথে এগিয়ে যেতে পারে তা ছিলো আমার ধারনার ও বাইরে! চরিত্র চিত্রায়ন ফাটাফাটি ছিলো। উপন্যাস ছিলো পুরোপুরি মাইন্ড গেম�� ভরপুর। দ্বিপাক্ষিক মনঃস্তাত্ত্বিক যুদ্ধ যাকে বলে! উপন্যাসে জুড়ে বোঝা যাবে এই পক্ষ আরেক পক্ষের সাথে এই যুদ্ধ খেলছে। শেষ করে মনে হলো, ''আরে বাহ, এতখন তো উভয়পক্ষ উভয়পক্ষের সাথে মাইন্ড গেম খেলছিলো!'' মানে, হিগাশিনো যা করেন, বই এর শুরুতে গল্প বলে দিয়ে গল্প এগিয়ে নিয়ে যাচ্ছে, আদতে সমস্ত টা ইলিউশান, গল্পের আড়ালে চলছে আরাক গল্প! পারফেক্ট ক্রাইমের গল্প!
এইসমস্ত আউট অফ বক্স অনুভূতি দিতে পারার কারনেই আমি কেইগো হিগাশিনোকে ভালোবাসি।
মাঝে মাঝে আমি চিন্তা করি, হিগাশিনো কে বাস্তবে যদি ক্রাইম প্ল্যান করতে বলা হয়, তখন সে নিজে করলেও কি এইরকম পারফেক্ট ক্রাইম হবে?!!
বরাবরের মতোই, হিগাশিনো ট্রেইট বিদ্যমান। অর্থাৎ কি,ক্রাইম,কে,কেনো কিভাবে করলো তা বই এর শুরুতেই খোলাসা করে দেওয়া! কোটিপতি বাবা কাতসুতোশি কাতসুরাগির মেয়ে জুরি বাসায় রাগ করে বাসা থেকে পালিয়ে যাচ্ছিলো। ছোটো বোন চিহারুর সাথে ঝগড়া করেছিলো সে। রাস্তায় তাকে দেখে ফেলে সাকুমা। সাকুমা কাতসুরাগির ওপর ক্ষেপে ছিলো। কাতসুরাগি তাদের গাড়ির নতুন প্রজেক্ট থেকে সাকুমাকে সড়িয়ে দেওয়ার কারনে। অপমানিত বোধ আর রাগ থেকে সে জুরিকে ফলো করা শুরু করে। একসময় জুরি স্বীকার করে সে বাসায় ফিরবে না কিন্তু তার টাকার দরকার। দুইজনেই প্রতিহিংসা চরিতার্থ করতে ফেক কিডন্যাপিং সাজায়! এই হলো কাহিনী। যা আগে থেকেই বলে দেওয়া উপন্যাসের শুরুতেই! তবু এজ ইজুয়াল, হিগাশিনোর উপন্যাস, পেইজ টার্নার! কিডন্যাপিং গেইম এর আড়ালে আমি বার বার বুঝতে ভুল করেছি। মানে আমাকে দিয়ে ভুল করানো হয়েছে কোনটা ঠিক,কোনটা বেঠিক বুঝে নিতে। শুরু থেকে বলে দেওয়া থাকলেও কিডন্যাপিং এর সাথে সাথে যে অন্য আরো একটি গল্প একই সাথে এগিয়ে যেতে পারে তা ছিলো আমার ধারনার ও বাইরে! চরিত্র চিত্রায়ন ফাটাফাটি ছিলো। উপন্যাস ছিলো পুরোপুরি মাইন্ড গেম�� ভরপুর। দ্বিপাক্ষিক মনঃস্তাত্ত্বিক যুদ্ধ যাকে বলে! উপন্যাসে জুড়ে বোঝা যাবে এই পক্ষ আরেক পক্ষের সাথে এই যুদ্ধ খেলছে। শেষ করে মনে হলো, ''আরে বাহ, এতখন তো উভয়পক্ষ উভয়পক্ষের সাথে মাইন্ড গেম খেলছিলো!'' মানে, হিগাশিনো যা করেন, বই এর শুরুতে গল্প বলে দিয়ে গল্প এগিয়ে নিয়ে যাচ্ছে, আদতে সমস্ত টা ইলিউশান, গল্পের আড়ালে চলছে আরাক গল্প! পারফেক্ট ক্রাইমের গল্প!
এইসমস্ত আউট অফ বক্স অনুভূতি দিতে পারার কারনেই আমি কেইগো হিগাশিনোকে ভালোবাসি।
মাঝে মাঝে আমি চিন্তা করি, হিগাশিনো কে বাস্তবে যদি ক্রাইম প্ল্যান করতে বলা হয়, তখন সে নিজে করলেও কি এইরকম পারফেক্ট ক্রাইম হবে?!!
March 15, 2024
Leave it to Keigo for making me rid of my reading slump (its been a month good lord) and serving with a story that leaves your brain twisted till the very end. And it goes to show - Keigo is a mastermind in his trade and he writes well written stories that will will question everything that you read from the very start.
As usual with Keigo's stories, its better to go in without knowing much about the premise. But what I can say here - living true to the title itself, we will be following through the creatives mind of a human and how crafty and sinister we can be. At the end of the day, will you be the puppet or the master of the game? That, you will never know. And that's what makes this story so interesting and intriguing.
Keigo for me has been that author that can write anything and I will definitely eat it up. With this story, is differs a bit from his usual route for crime thrillers, but I sometimes wonder what goes through his mind when writing these stories. And with most of Keigo's stories, you will already know what's bound to happen, BUT, you will still be surprised when everything unfolds. Reading his books will give you that sense of disorientation - of not knowing who and what to trust and we, as readers, are strung along with the narrator as well. The characters and the plot progression for me was spot on, and I kind of loved that most of his characters are very smart too. It gives you joy in reading something that is well-thought and planned out , without losing the human touch and the exploration of human complexity and human nature in the process as well.
This book feels like watching a huge game and puzzle unfold. It will definitely leave your jaw gaping at some point (and I kind of expected what was about to happen) but it still left my heart racing. If you're in need of a quick, pick up book that will want you wanting for more , pick up this one. You can never go wrong with Keigo's books. And I'm thankful that Kodansha picked this up again for reprints cause Keigo's stories definitely deserved to be explored more to the world.
Personal Ratings : 4.5🌟
Thank you to Times Reads for one of the copies! I truly appreciate it :)
"To begin with, everyone wears a mask to some degree in going about their lives."
"It's an unlivable world otherwise. If you expose your true face, you don't know when it'll get pummeled. This world is a game. It's a game where, depending on the situation, you put on the relevant mask."
As usual with Keigo's stories, its better to go in without knowing much about the premise. But what I can say here - living true to the title itself, we will be following through the creatives mind of a human and how crafty and sinister we can be. At the end of the day, will you be the puppet or the master of the game? That, you will never know. And that's what makes this story so interesting and intriguing.
Keigo for me has been that author that can write anything and I will definitely eat it up. With this story, is differs a bit from his usual route for crime thrillers, but I sometimes wonder what goes through his mind when writing these stories. And with most of Keigo's stories, you will already know what's bound to happen, BUT, you will still be surprised when everything unfolds. Reading his books will give you that sense of disorientation - of not knowing who and what to trust and we, as readers, are strung along with the narrator as well. The characters and the plot progression for me was spot on, and I kind of loved that most of his characters are very smart too. It gives you joy in reading something that is well-thought and planned out , without losing the human touch and the exploration of human complexity and human nature in the process as well.
This book feels like watching a huge game and puzzle unfold. It will definitely leave your jaw gaping at some point (and I kind of expected what was about to happen) but it still left my heart racing. If you're in need of a quick, pick up book that will want you wanting for more , pick up this one. You can never go wrong with Keigo's books. And I'm thankful that Kodansha picked this up again for reprints cause Keigo's stories definitely deserved to be explored more to the world.
Personal Ratings : 4.5🌟
Thank you to Times Reads for one of the copies! I truly appreciate it :)
May 31, 2025
It's pretty good. This book is very suitable for those who are just starting to read detective stories. It's very easy to follow the story line and the plot twist is quite interesting (but for those who have read many stories of this genre, I believe they will somewhat guess a bit). I enjoyed the process of reading this book, hope u too
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