直美與加奈子

by Hideo Okuda, 奧田英朗, 劉子倩 (Translator)

在不如意的職場，天天度過憂鬱生活的粉領族直美，對困窘的現實生活感到無力與疲憊，每天對著炫富貴婦鞠躬哈腰的她，不禁懷疑自己的人生究竟是什麼。當直美得知好友加奈子長期受到丈夫家暴時，直美不禁萌生了想要幫助好友的想法，也想藉著幫助加奈子，來擺脫童年時眼睜睜看著母親遭受家暴的陰影，並重新找回自己的人生動力。

這時，一名來自中國的女富豪「開導」了直美，於是直美決定聯合加奈子，進行一場縝密的「排除」計劃。然而，兩人對於無止盡的黑暗人生，所做出最大的反擊，究竟會將她們帶往何處？又或者，這一切只是直美與加奈子過度天真的盤算？處心積慮的女人們，生死決戰一觸即發……

448 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 2014

About the author

Hideo OKUDA (奥田 英朗) is a Japanese novelist.

Reviews

[Jie Hui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally finished reading after putting books aside for months to focus on works.
Naomi and Kanako tells the story of two friends who conspired to kill Kanako's husband, Tatsuro, who had been abusing Kanako physically and mentally.
Okuda, despite being a man, was able to illustrate in details the complicated psychological activities of Naomi and Kanako, from when they hesitate about killing Tatsuro, to when they decided to execute their "perfect" plan, the fear and confusion as the perfect plan fell apart, and the determination to run away from all these and live.
What makes a woman strong? Having a strong and loving husband as backbone? Having a successful career? The love for others ? The love for oneself ? But no matter how strong one can be, there is always weakness as human beings are never perfect. Just like the weak and frightened Naomi in the second part of the novel. No matter how weak one appears to be, they can turn unexpectedly strong willed when life demands so, just like Kanako, who decided to take charge of her life.
Killing is wrong, no matter what. But I think this novel brings out the argument of whether the motive could be justified, if yes, then is killing justified as well?
Though the description about Chinese in this novel is extremely stereotypical, and there are some plot holes (some illogical things when put in real life too), it has been a thrilling read.

[Tan Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

故事概念不错且合理，刻画细腻，但主题用意很不明确，不知是否以悬疑推理为主、抑或心理惊悚。

[Sehwan Choi · Rating 5 out of 5]

마지막 한장 까지 손에 땀을 쥐며 읽었다.

[Yumiko Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars 🌟

[Repix Pix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Precioso.

[Divya]

Engaging plot that gives a raw and emotional insight into how trauma shapes choices people make. Also liked how fragile yet resilient the bond between two best friends can be.

There were a few loose ends and subplots that didn’t get any outcome towards the end. Some wasted potential there for sure:/

[Ayaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

大学時代からの親友、ナオミとカナコ。普通の主婦だったはずのカナコと、百貨店の外商部門で働く普通のOLだったはずのナオミが、あることをきっかけに殺人、それも完全犯罪を目論むようになる。もちろん人殺しなんて褒められたものではないんだけど、二人の抱えた問題の重さや、二人の前に重なるある偶然を知ると、完全犯罪を計画するまでの経緯にも納得がいく。二人の計画が成功するのかどうか、結末が気になって一気読みしてしまった。手に汗握る展開で、テンポよく進む話。近い将来実写化されるニオイがプンプンする。

[Ally Yang · Rating 4 out of 5]

【taaze 訂299 -得194】