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What's Left of Me Is Yours
A gripping debut set in modern-day Tokyo and inspired by a true crime, for readers of Everything I Never Told You and The Perfect Nanny, What's Left of Me Is Yours charts a young woman's search for the truth about her mother's life--and her murder.
In Japan, a covert industry has grown up around the "wakaresaseya" (literally "breaker-upper"), a person hired by one spouse to seduce the other in order to gain the advantage in divorce proceedings. When Satō hires Kaitarō, a wakaresaseya agent, to have an affair with his wife, Rina, he assumes it will be an easy case. But Satō has never truly understood Rina or her desires and Kaitarō's job is to do exactly that--until he does it too well. While Rina remains ignorant of the circumstances that brought them together, she and Kaitarō fall in a desperate, singular love, setting in motion a series of violent acts that will forever haunt her daughter's life.
Told from alternating points of view and across the breathtaking landscapes of Japan, Stephanie Scott exquisitely renders the affair and its intricate repercussions. As Rina's daughter, Sumiko, fills in the gaps of her mother's story and her own memory, Scott probes the thorny psychological and moral grounds of the actions we take in the name of love, asking where we draw the line between passion and possession.
In Japan, a covert industry has grown up around the "wakaresaseya" (literally "breaker-upper"), a person hired by one spouse to seduce the other in order to gain the advantage in divorce proceedings. When Satō hires Kaitarō, a wakaresaseya agent, to have an affair with his wife, Rina, he assumes it will be an easy case. But Satō has never truly understood Rina or her desires and Kaitarō's job is to do exactly that--until he does it too well. While Rina remains ignorant of the circumstances that brought them together, she and Kaitarō fall in a desperate, singular love, setting in motion a series of violent acts that will forever haunt her daughter's life.
Told from alternating points of view and across the breathtaking landscapes of Japan, Stephanie Scott exquisitely renders the affair and its intricate repercussions. As Rina's daughter, Sumiko, fills in the gaps of her mother's story and her own memory, Scott probes the thorny psychological and moral grounds of the actions we take in the name of love, asking where we draw the line between passion and possession.
337 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
382 people are currently reading
15128 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Scott
1 book149 followersSTEPHANIE SCOTT is a Singaporean & British writer and one of the Guardian & Observer Ten Best Debut Novelists 2020. She won a BAJS Toshiba Studentship for her anthropological work on her novel, 'What’s Left of Me Is Yours' and has been made a member of the British Japanese Law Association for her research - the novel also featured in the Japanese Embassy's Season of Culture.
'What’s Left Of Me Is Yours' is a New York Times Editor’s Pick, a Brooklyn Book Festival Debut of the Year, a Daily Mail and Woman & Home Book of the Year, and was recently longlisted for the Jhalak Prize Book of the Year by a Writer of Colour, the CWA John Creasy New Blood Dagger Award, and shortlisted for the Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award.
'What’s Left Of Me Is Yours' is a New York Times Editor’s Pick, a Brooklyn Book Festival Debut of the Year, a Daily Mail and Woman & Home Book of the Year, and was recently longlisted for the Jhalak Prize Book of the Year by a Writer of Colour, the CWA John Creasy New Blood Dagger Award, and shortlisted for the Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 543 reviews
May 2, 2020
Stephanie Scott's literary debut is confidently assured and stunning, drawing its inspiration from a real life crime, a heart breaking blend of fact and fiction, immersing the reader in 1990s and contemporary Japan. Scott's research of Japanese society and culture is impeccable, portrayed with subtlety and nuance, in its keen observations and insights, an absolute necessity if the reader is unaware of its marked differences from our world, with its seemingly rigid constraints and limitations. With poetic and lyrical prose, Scott atmospherically and vividly evokes the Japanese landscape and the city of Tokyo which is a central character in its own right in this depiction of the tragic and explosive ramifications of a love affair that is at once everything yet inherently doomed.
In a long term marriage, Osamu Satu is a disillusioned and unhappy man looking to extricate himself and divorce his wife, Rina. To gain the upper hand in the divorce proceedings, in a country where divorce is still a blame game, rooted in guilt and harsh custody arrangements, he decides to make use of the below the radar industry of 'wakanesaseya' a strange cultural practice of hiring someone to seduce your marriage partner. He employs Kaitaro Nakamura to seduce Rina, an act that will tear the family apart and ruin their future with the repercussions that follow. Kaitaro sees and understands Rina intuitively in a way Satu had been unable to do in all the years he had known Rina. Unaware of the machinations that lie behind Kaitaro's presence, Rina becomes aware of all that she is, she and Kaitaro succumb to and embark on a love affair that breaks all the rules, emotions are not so easily ordered or controlled, inexorably leading to murder.
Decades later, Rina's lawyer daughter, Sumiko, answers a fateful phone call that reveals family secrets and brings cascading down all that she knew of herself, turning to ashes all she believed was her family history. In a narrative that shifts from past to present, Sumiko sets out to discover who her mother was, what happened to her, the nature of the Japanese legal and justice system, the truth and anatomy of a passionate and revelatory love and all that followed in its wake. Scott's artful and considered storytelling hones into the heart and belly of Japanese culture and society, its norms and attitudes, the position of women, family, justice, ethics and morality, the underlying cultural acceptance of what is. This is a beautiful, moving, captivating, thought provoking and devastating story of love, loss, grief, marriage, family, deception and betrayal that I have no hesitation in recommending highly. Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.
In a long term marriage, Osamu Satu is a disillusioned and unhappy man looking to extricate himself and divorce his wife, Rina. To gain the upper hand in the divorce proceedings, in a country where divorce is still a blame game, rooted in guilt and harsh custody arrangements, he decides to make use of the below the radar industry of 'wakanesaseya' a strange cultural practice of hiring someone to seduce your marriage partner. He employs Kaitaro Nakamura to seduce Rina, an act that will tear the family apart and ruin their future with the repercussions that follow. Kaitaro sees and understands Rina intuitively in a way Satu had been unable to do in all the years he had known Rina. Unaware of the machinations that lie behind Kaitaro's presence, Rina becomes aware of all that she is, she and Kaitaro succumb to and embark on a love affair that breaks all the rules, emotions are not so easily ordered or controlled, inexorably leading to murder.
Decades later, Rina's lawyer daughter, Sumiko, answers a fateful phone call that reveals family secrets and brings cascading down all that she knew of herself, turning to ashes all she believed was her family history. In a narrative that shifts from past to present, Sumiko sets out to discover who her mother was, what happened to her, the nature of the Japanese legal and justice system, the truth and anatomy of a passionate and revelatory love and all that followed in its wake. Scott's artful and considered storytelling hones into the heart and belly of Japanese culture and society, its norms and attitudes, the position of women, family, justice, ethics and morality, the underlying cultural acceptance of what is. This is a beautiful, moving, captivating, thought provoking and devastating story of love, loss, grief, marriage, family, deception and betrayal that I have no hesitation in recommending highly. Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.
March 26, 2021
I've long dreamed of going to Japan, so give me a story set there and I'm in. This lit./psychological fiction inspired by a true crime marks the debut of Stephanie Scott, and I loved it.
The story centers on the passionate romance that develops between Rina, a young Japanese wife and mother and the man, Kaitaro, a wakaresaseya, hired by her jerk husband to seduce her and give him grounds for and an advantage in divorce proceedings. (The fact that this is an actual, real occupation in Japan is bizarre in its own right, but I digress.) What follows is a hot mess of implications for Rina's daughter, her father, her husband, her lover, and most notably herself. It's also an eye-opening, if not kind of alarming look at the Japanese legal system.
In her debut, Scott has written an impressive piece of fiction that holds a lot of promise for a continued bright writing future. She's not one to rush through her story to get to the "good stuff", but takes her time to slow build each element of the story along the way, like an artist exploring all the colors patiently until the final image is complete. She paints her word pictures beautifully, and that I think is the biggest strength of this book. There's mystery, intrigue, romance, passion, tragedy, and a whole lot of humanity.
Now for the reasons I gave this 4 1/2 stars, rather than 5. First of all, the slow pace I mentioned? At times I really wanted things to move a bit faster. The premise really hooks you, then you have to wait awhile for the story to unfold. That said, it was worth the wait. I also would've loved the central relationship between Rina and Kaitaro to be fleshed out a bit more to do the story of their love for each other justice. I wanted the bigger picture of it ... more details! It would've given even more emotional impact to the events of the book and all the other relationships Rina had, particularly with her daughter, Sumiko, and father, Yoshi.
All those things aside, this really is a beautiful book. Think of it as a slow simmering tea rather than a strong cup of coffee and I think you'll enjoy it.
★★★★ ½
The story centers on the passionate romance that develops between Rina, a young Japanese wife and mother and the man, Kaitaro, a wakaresaseya, hired by her jerk husband to seduce her and give him grounds for and an advantage in divorce proceedings. (The fact that this is an actual, real occupation in Japan is bizarre in its own right, but I digress.) What follows is a hot mess of implications for Rina's daughter, her father, her husband, her lover, and most notably herself. It's also an eye-opening, if not kind of alarming look at the Japanese legal system.
In her debut, Scott has written an impressive piece of fiction that holds a lot of promise for a continued bright writing future. She's not one to rush through her story to get to the "good stuff", but takes her time to slow build each element of the story along the way, like an artist exploring all the colors patiently until the final image is complete. She paints her word pictures beautifully, and that I think is the biggest strength of this book. There's mystery, intrigue, romance, passion, tragedy, and a whole lot of humanity.
Now for the reasons I gave this 4 1/2 stars, rather than 5. First of all, the slow pace I mentioned? At times I really wanted things to move a bit faster. The premise really hooks you, then you have to wait awhile for the story to unfold. That said, it was worth the wait. I also would've loved the central relationship between Rina and Kaitaro to be fleshed out a bit more to do the story of their love for each other justice. I wanted the bigger picture of it ... more details! It would've given even more emotional impact to the events of the book and all the other relationships Rina had, particularly with her daughter, Sumiko, and father, Yoshi.
All those things aside, this really is a beautiful book. Think of it as a slow simmering tea rather than a strong cup of coffee and I think you'll enjoy it.
★★★★ ½
August 17, 2020
4.5
A really well written, heartbreaking debut set in Japan..based on a true story.
This story shifts back and forth between the 1990’s where a man named Kaitaro, is hired by the husband of Rina to seduce her so he can easily get a divorce... and to 20 years later when Rina’s daughter Sumiko, is discovering the truth about her mother’s murder.
This is a crime story, a love story, and it also shines a light on Japanese culture and their legal system.. and also the despicable career of a “wakaresaseya”
A really well written, heartbreaking debut set in Japan..based on a true story.
This story shifts back and forth between the 1990’s where a man named Kaitaro, is hired by the husband of Rina to seduce her so he can easily get a divorce... and to 20 years later when Rina’s daughter Sumiko, is discovering the truth about her mother’s murder.
This is a crime story, a love story, and it also shines a light on Japanese culture and their legal system.. and also the despicable career of a “wakaresaseya”
July 25, 2020
Aishitimasu.
An expression of romantic love, not meant for a book, but I really did love this!
What to do when love ends or was never there in the first place?
Maybe you’d like to end a professional relationship?
The solution in Japanese society could involve a Wakaresaseya which is an agent for hire who discretely breaks partnerships apart. A sordid business it is, using unethical practices to gain favorable positioning for the person initiating the split.
After obtaining a client contract, the Wakaresaseya studies the subject to plan a strategy. Spouses may be drawn into affairs, business ties quietly severed by unearthing secrets casting a career shadow. The list goes on. How far is too far? The debate remains as the little known industry continues with scant regulation.
Sumiko has grown up with a lie. Her mother was murdered, not killed in a car accident as she was told. We find out early that her father hired a Wakaresaseya to effect a divorce and achieve financial and custodial advantages.
As she traces her memories and investigates her mother’s death, she reconciles her past and present. How did her mother die and what happened?
I loved this beautiful book!
A luxuriant trip into an appreciated culture weaving small bits of everyday life and scenery into the story, it doesn’t move fast. However, I was captivated as I was brought to reminisce about my visit to Japan long ago. Just the mention of a Bento box and lacquer chopsticks too small for a child’s hand brought it to life.
The physical copy itself was quietly resplendent in its presentation from the exquisite cover to the thick cream pages. Small bamboo leaf prints and kanji within the text added more nuance.
Lastly, if you have a moment, check out the author’s impressive bio. She’s earned high praise for her research, some of it in connection to this book.
An expression of romantic love, not meant for a book, but I really did love this!
What to do when love ends or was never there in the first place?
Maybe you’d like to end a professional relationship?
The solution in Japanese society could involve a Wakaresaseya which is an agent for hire who discretely breaks partnerships apart. A sordid business it is, using unethical practices to gain favorable positioning for the person initiating the split.
After obtaining a client contract, the Wakaresaseya studies the subject to plan a strategy. Spouses may be drawn into affairs, business ties quietly severed by unearthing secrets casting a career shadow. The list goes on. How far is too far? The debate remains as the little known industry continues with scant regulation.
Sumiko has grown up with a lie. Her mother was murdered, not killed in a car accident as she was told. We find out early that her father hired a Wakaresaseya to effect a divorce and achieve financial and custodial advantages.
As she traces her memories and investigates her mother’s death, she reconciles her past and present. How did her mother die and what happened?
I loved this beautiful book!
A luxuriant trip into an appreciated culture weaving small bits of everyday life and scenery into the story, it doesn’t move fast. However, I was captivated as I was brought to reminisce about my visit to Japan long ago. Just the mention of a Bento box and lacquer chopsticks too small for a child’s hand brought it to life.
The physical copy itself was quietly resplendent in its presentation from the exquisite cover to the thick cream pages. Small bamboo leaf prints and kanji within the text added more nuance.
Lastly, if you have a moment, check out the author’s impressive bio. She’s earned high praise for her research, some of it in connection to this book.
April 22, 2020
What's Left of Me is Yours, Stephanie Scott’s multiple award-winning debut novel, is a triumph of a story set against the metropolis of Tokyo, Japan and which shines a light on the peculiar industry that has sprung up in relation to those in struggling marriages as well as the way marriage struggles and impending divorce is perceived in Asia. Inspired by a fascinating true crime awe of murder, Scott masterfully crafts a devastatingly deft fact-meets-fiction epic that barges its way into your heart and mind and has you racing through its pages feverishly. The plot centres around Osamu Satō a long-married man who has grown increasingly disillusioned with his marriage, and as a consequence, pays a fee to Kaitarō Nakamura in order to seduce his wife, Rina, making it easier to demonise her for participation in adultery her in front of the courts when applying for a divorce. But you know what they say about the best laid plans.
This is a compelling, gripping and exquisitely lyrical story and from the opening pages it captured my attention and I raced through it despite my attempts to savour it as best I could. It's a beautifully crafted tour-de-force that I am sure will be in my top ten reads of 2020 at the end of the year. The cast of characters were engaging and intriguing but the main character was really the Tokyo setting which suited me perfectly as a Japanophile; the locations leapt from the pages and I learned many more fascinating anecdotes about Japanese culture, especially the regard marriage is held in in society and interesting information about the criminal justice process. Ms Scott is a huge new talent and this is a pure, indulgent and thoroughly accomplished page-turner that'll appeal to a wide range of readers. I am excited for her future endeavours. Unreservedly recommended. Many thanks to W&N for an ARC.
This is a compelling, gripping and exquisitely lyrical story and from the opening pages it captured my attention and I raced through it despite my attempts to savour it as best I could. It's a beautifully crafted tour-de-force that I am sure will be in my top ten reads of 2020 at the end of the year. The cast of characters were engaging and intriguing but the main character was really the Tokyo setting which suited me perfectly as a Japanophile; the locations leapt from the pages and I learned many more fascinating anecdotes about Japanese culture, especially the regard marriage is held in in society and interesting information about the criminal justice process. Ms Scott is a huge new talent and this is a pure, indulgent and thoroughly accomplished page-turner that'll appeal to a wide range of readers. I am excited for her future endeavours. Unreservedly recommended. Many thanks to W&N for an ARC.
November 3, 2019
This graceful and evocative novel, told in two time frames, transports you all the way to modern-day Tokyo. In the present, we meet Rina’s daughter Sumiko who, when she is on the cusp of qualifying as a lawyer, gets a phone call from the Prison Service about an inmate called Kaitarō who is somehow connected to her mother Rina. Sumiko has always believed that her mother died in a car accident, but now everything she knew about her family is about to fall apart.
The past charts the growing love affair between the married, photography-loving Rina and the troubled Kaitarō. There are several Japanese words to describe love, but surely none of them can capture the intense love between Kaitarō and Rina. Kaitarō is a ‘wakaresaseya’ - a ‘breaker-upper’, a man who has been hired by Rina’s husband Satō to seduce Rina in order to gain the advantage in divorce proceedings. Rina knows nothing about Kaitarō’s ‘honey trap’ credentials and as their affair deepens, Kaitarō wants to keep it that way.
As the love affair develops in the past, in the present Sumiko goes to great lengths to find out just what happened to her mother all those years ago.
What results is a compelling and sophisticated love story where all the beauty that we see - think ikebana, Shinto shrines, misty beaches and delicious arrays of cakes - belies Rina’s brutal murder.
This meticulously researched novel demands to be read slowly so that you can appreciate the many exquisite details of Japanese culture that its pages contain. It is tragically beautiful, sensuous and haunting, and ultimately redemptive. A stunning debut.
The past charts the growing love affair between the married, photography-loving Rina and the troubled Kaitarō. There are several Japanese words to describe love, but surely none of them can capture the intense love between Kaitarō and Rina. Kaitarō is a ‘wakaresaseya’ - a ‘breaker-upper’, a man who has been hired by Rina’s husband Satō to seduce Rina in order to gain the advantage in divorce proceedings. Rina knows nothing about Kaitarō’s ‘honey trap’ credentials and as their affair deepens, Kaitarō wants to keep it that way.
As the love affair develops in the past, in the present Sumiko goes to great lengths to find out just what happened to her mother all those years ago.
What results is a compelling and sophisticated love story where all the beauty that we see - think ikebana, Shinto shrines, misty beaches and delicious arrays of cakes - belies Rina’s brutal murder.
This meticulously researched novel demands to be read slowly so that you can appreciate the many exquisite details of Japanese culture that its pages contain. It is tragically beautiful, sensuous and haunting, and ultimately redemptive. A stunning debut.
November 20, 2019
How do I write a review for a book that is so descriptive and beautiful that it seems to have been an opera whispered?
This story is so meticulous researched that you forget that this a novel; a story of a family and love so masterfully woven you forget the crime.
A stunning debut of the many shades of love & how the best of lies are told nearest to truth.
This story is so meticulous researched that you forget that this a novel; a story of a family and love so masterfully woven you forget the crime.
A stunning debut of the many shades of love & how the best of lies are told nearest to truth.
December 12, 2019
A beautiful, beautiful book that defies genre - and my words. There is a crime. There is betrayal. There is love. There is history. This is truly an epic, meticulously and lovingly researched, with such exquisite description and detail that I read the same lines over, many times. There are thought-provoking observations, unforgettable characters, and heart-breaking decisions that set in motion catastrophic events. I will not forget this book for a long time.
August 17, 2020
3.5 stars
Near the end of this book, Sumiko, the main character, uses this Sarte quote in deciding how to move on with her life:
"Freedom is what you do with what's been done to you."
The essence of this story is the destructive power of deception, and how the lies and secrets reverberate through the generations of a Japanese family. If we choose to lie to a child to protect them from the horrors of reality, at what point, if ever, should we tell them that we lied? How will the new truth affect their life choices, and the narrative that they have created for themselves since childhood?
When Sumiko was seven years old, her mother was murdered, but her grandfather told her that her mother had died in a car accident. Now a grown woman with a new law degree, Sumiko discovers the truth, and she goes on a quest to dig up all the details of the ugly past. When all is laid bare, she does indeed have to choose what to do with what has been done to her.
There's a semi-legitimate profession in Japan that translates into something like "person who breaks up relationships for a living." A man who wants a favorable divorce agreement will hire such a person to seduce his wife, then use the evidence to gain the advantage in the divorce. But what happens when the professional breaker-upper falls in love with the woman he has been hired to ruin?
The chapters alternate between Sumiko's story and the story of her mother Rina and the man Kaitano who was hired to seduce her. I was thoroughly captivated by Sumiko's chapters, telling of her childhood and her present-day endeavors. I found myself growing impatient with the Rina/Kaitano chapters, and I'm not sure why. The evolution of their relationship is absolutely essential to the outcome, but somehow the writing felt different to me.
If you love literary fiction, don't be put off by my middling rating. There's much to love about the book. It's beautifully written, and chock full of fascinating details about Japanese culture. If you have an interest in law, you'll be especially interested in the differences between the American and Japanese legal systems. And it was inspired by a true story.
This was book number three in my heat-wave reading marathon.
October 7, 2020
A late review -- my apologies. But I was deeply moved by WHAT'S LEFT OF ME IS YOURS. It's not a so much a who-done-it as a why-done-it, although there were moments when I began to question in all the best ways what I thought I knew. It's also a tender mother-daughter love story, and the way memory helps shape who we are. Scott is a gifted writer, capturing with precision the small details of everyday life and what they mean to the soul.
July 16, 2020
What's Left of Me Is Yours is an exceptional novel.
July 2, 2020
What’s Left of Me Is Yours is a beautifully written, complex book told in two timelines that masterfully presents the story of Sumiko Sarashima, her mother Rina and the man who becomes her greatest love and the cause of her demise, Kaitaro Nakamura and Yoshi, Rina’s devoted father and the man who ultimately raises Sumiko.
In modern-day Japan, Sumiko learns that the story of her mother’s death when she was seven years old was a lie. Her mother Rina was murdered. Sumiko, now a lawyer, seeks answers as this revelation changes everything for her. “I want to witness the events that led to her death.”
Going back twenty years, we learn that Kaitaro was secretly hired by Rina’s husband as a "wakaresaseya" to seduce her and insure a favorable divorce settlement. But fate takes a turn and Kaitaro falls in love with Rina then fears to reveal the truth. We see the growing passion between Rina and Kaitaro and how they bring out the best in one another. Their love story is simply heartbreaking as we know from the start that it is doomed and ends tragically.
This moving book is impossible to categorize – thriller, mystery, crime, legal, family drama, romance. There are wonderful details describing Tokyo and rural parts of Japan, its culture and the Japanese criminal justice system. Author Stephanie Scott, in an impressive debut, has created a haunting and lyrical tale. One that you will want to savor as you read.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
In modern-day Japan, Sumiko learns that the story of her mother’s death when she was seven years old was a lie. Her mother Rina was murdered. Sumiko, now a lawyer, seeks answers as this revelation changes everything for her. “I want to witness the events that led to her death.”
Going back twenty years, we learn that Kaitaro was secretly hired by Rina’s husband as a "wakaresaseya" to seduce her and insure a favorable divorce settlement. But fate takes a turn and Kaitaro falls in love with Rina then fears to reveal the truth. We see the growing passion between Rina and Kaitaro and how they bring out the best in one another. Their love story is simply heartbreaking as we know from the start that it is doomed and ends tragically.
This moving book is impossible to categorize – thriller, mystery, crime, legal, family drama, romance. There are wonderful details describing Tokyo and rural parts of Japan, its culture and the Japanese criminal justice system. Author Stephanie Scott, in an impressive debut, has created a haunting and lyrical tale. One that you will want to savor as you read.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
April 30, 2020
Greed, Lies, Love, and Murder.
What’s Left of Me is Yours is an engrossing story of greed, lies, love, and murder. A must-read debut set in Japan in the 90s.
I went out of my comfort zone with this book. I don't usually read crime and mystery, but this story was too intriguing to miss.
It seems that the legal system in Japan is, or at least was in the 90s, very different from what we are used to in America.
For instance, in a divorce, only one of the parents was given full custody of the children. The other parent depended on the goodwill of the former spouse to ever see his/her offspring again.
In this scenario, determining the cause of the divorce and the party directly responsible for it was essential. Being found guilty could mean the loss of one's children and the need to financially compensate the other party.
Wherever there is a need, there is a service to provide it.
Sumikko discovers, by accident, that her mother Nina did not die in a car crash twenty years ago. She was murdered by her lover, a man hired by Sumiko's father to seduce her and provide grounds for an advantageous divorce.
The story is heartbreaking and yet full of love and emotion.
I loved how the author portrayed the intricacies of the character's relationships. How my feelings shifted as the story progressed.
This is a debut novel, but it does not read like one. It's deep, well-written, soul-crushing, sometimes a bit overwhelming.
Loveless marriages, adultery, divorce, and the thin line between passionate love and uncontrolled possession are well examined and dissected in this book.
The role of women in Japanese society is examined, highlighting the impossible choices they have to make in their quest for love and acceptance.
I've listened to the audiobook, and the narration was superb. The calm tone of voice was perfect for the story.
The descriptions of forensics and police questionings were made in a way that brought me into the room. I felt the tension, the despair, it was impressively engaging.
I also enjoyed the little trips to the Japanese coast, its delicious flavors, flowers, and ancient temples.
It was a fascinating journey into Japan and it's legal system. I highly recommend the audio version for a more immersive experience.
Great read!
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
What’s Left of Me is Yours is an engrossing story of greed, lies, love, and murder. A must-read debut set in Japan in the 90s.
I went out of my comfort zone with this book. I don't usually read crime and mystery, but this story was too intriguing to miss.
It seems that the legal system in Japan is, or at least was in the 90s, very different from what we are used to in America.
For instance, in a divorce, only one of the parents was given full custody of the children. The other parent depended on the goodwill of the former spouse to ever see his/her offspring again.
In this scenario, determining the cause of the divorce and the party directly responsible for it was essential. Being found guilty could mean the loss of one's children and the need to financially compensate the other party.
Wherever there is a need, there is a service to provide it.
Sumikko discovers, by accident, that her mother Nina did not die in a car crash twenty years ago. She was murdered by her lover, a man hired by Sumiko's father to seduce her and provide grounds for an advantageous divorce.
The story is heartbreaking and yet full of love and emotion.
I loved how the author portrayed the intricacies of the character's relationships. How my feelings shifted as the story progressed.
This is a debut novel, but it does not read like one. It's deep, well-written, soul-crushing, sometimes a bit overwhelming.
Loveless marriages, adultery, divorce, and the thin line between passionate love and uncontrolled possession are well examined and dissected in this book.
The role of women in Japanese society is examined, highlighting the impossible choices they have to make in their quest for love and acceptance.
I've listened to the audiobook, and the narration was superb. The calm tone of voice was perfect for the story.
The descriptions of forensics and police questionings were made in a way that brought me into the room. I felt the tension, the despair, it was impressively engaging.
I also enjoyed the little trips to the Japanese coast, its delicious flavors, flowers, and ancient temples.
It was a fascinating journey into Japan and it's legal system. I highly recommend the audio version for a more immersive experience.
Great read!
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2020
3.5 rounded up to 4.
I will tip my hat to my fellow reviewers who brought this book to my attention. The debut novel of Stephanie Scott is a psychological thriller set in contemporary Tokyo. Based on a criminal trial that occurred in that city in 2010, Scott explores the covert industry of wakaresaseya. These are people hired by a spouse to help break up marriages. The author uses her research to show insights into Japan's legal system and balances it with a blossoming but obsessive love story.
Lives to be rebuilt are always less interesting than lives destroyed.
Twenty years ago, newly anointed lawyer Sumiko, lost her mother in a terrible car accident. Or at least that is always what her grandfather has led her to believe. But one phone call sends Sumiko spiraling to figure out the true circumstances of her mother's death. Added into the narrative are flashbacks that give readers the tale of how a romantic relationship between Rina(Sumiko's mother) and Kaitaro, the wakaresaseya agent hired to seduce her sends them on a road in which violent acts loom in the distance.
The story definitely kept me lingering over my coffee this morning. A slower pace than I expected given what was a fantastic prologue, I reminded myself to be patient. In the end, it was worth it but I cannot help but wonder what happens to Sumiko next.
Goodreads review published 12/09/20
I will tip my hat to my fellow reviewers who brought this book to my attention. The debut novel of Stephanie Scott is a psychological thriller set in contemporary Tokyo. Based on a criminal trial that occurred in that city in 2010, Scott explores the covert industry of wakaresaseya. These are people hired by a spouse to help break up marriages. The author uses her research to show insights into Japan's legal system and balances it with a blossoming but obsessive love story.
Lives to be rebuilt are always less interesting than lives destroyed.
Twenty years ago, newly anointed lawyer Sumiko, lost her mother in a terrible car accident. Or at least that is always what her grandfather has led her to believe. But one phone call sends Sumiko spiraling to figure out the true circumstances of her mother's death. Added into the narrative are flashbacks that give readers the tale of how a romantic relationship between Rina(Sumiko's mother) and Kaitaro, the wakaresaseya agent hired to seduce her sends them on a road in which violent acts loom in the distance.
The story definitely kept me lingering over my coffee this morning. A slower pace than I expected given what was a fantastic prologue, I reminded myself to be patient. In the end, it was worth it but I cannot help but wonder what happens to Sumiko next.
Goodreads review published 12/09/20
April 3, 2023
Fascinating insight into the Japanese culture as well as its criminal and family legal systems. The writing is undoubtedly gorgeous and sensitive. The pacing is slow, perhaps too slow at times especially when the climax is already heralded during the gradual buildup. I was hoping for more of a crime thriller, but the who and why became clear early on. Instead it was partly distorted love story and partly family drama, the latter by far the more intriguing component in portraying the various relationships and the dynamics within these - that between father and daughter, granddaughter and grandfather, husband and wife. The end troubles me deeply, for not only did the Japanese court label it a crime of love, of passion, but so did the daughter of the victim - condoning violence towards women as somehow being more acceptable and less punishable if 'love' is the motivation. That's just twisted, abhorrent and highly dangerous. Love does not make you kill. Jealousy, possessiveness, egocentricity make you kill. Don't mistake evil for love. Don't sugarcoat it. No, I don't believe that we all have the ability to kill in us (as the author implied), especially to strangle someone wilfully, slowly, because it is not a quick nor merciful death. It's a deliberate act of brutality. An antithesis of love.
Beautifully narrated..
Beautifully narrated..
August 9, 2020
A man hires a firm to seduce his wife so he has grounds for divorcing her, and she is found murdered by her father. The novel moves back and forth in time between the wife and her daughter as an adult, looking into more of the situation surrounding her mother's death. This is based on a real story coming out of Japan and the author took the idea and ran with it. It's a small thing but I also really loved how she writes the surroundings of each scene - it never bogged down the narrative but I always had a clear picture in my mind of the scene in ways I don't usually have.
The author thanks Louise Doughty in the afterword and I feel like if you have read Doughty you will like this too..it has a feeling of being a thriller but isn't really a thriller, crime elements without being a crime novel.
I had a copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss but it's been out since June 23.
The author thanks Louise Doughty in the afterword and I feel like if you have read Doughty you will like this too..it has a feeling of being a thriller but isn't really a thriller, crime elements without being a crime novel.
I had a copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss but it's been out since June 23.
July 6, 2020
Review to come
January 19, 2021
What happens when love is overpowered by obsession, when greed and spite override logic and empathy; when the only way to stop the person who brought light into your life from leaving you is to bury them in permanent darkness — You get the story of Rina and Kaitarō.
#Whatisleftofmeusyours Inspired by a real murder trial that took place in Tokyo in 2010, this is a story of an old love lost and a new love found, affection cloaked in deception and a crime committed in the name of love. In this fictional novel, we follow a fathers quest for justice and a daughter in pursuit of healing answers.
I can't quite believe that this is Stephanie Scott's debut novel — with such nuanced characters, exquisite writing, and meticulously researched details of the Japanese legal system, Scott combines all the components to tell a remarkable story. She builds a world so real you are transported not only to Japan, but into the minds, and hearts of every character — You live every emotion with them, not as a guest but as a part of the story itself. This is the best way to describe the level in which Stephanie makes the story wholly immersive. Though the story is slow-paced, it flows like water.
The glimpses of Japanese culture were fascinating and Stephanie incorporated it into the novel with such intricacy and respect. Stephanie brings light to something I was completely unaware of before reading this and that is the business of 'wakaresaseya.' Wakaresaseya (literally 'breaker-upper') is a person hired by one spouse to seduce the other to gain the advantage in divorce proceedings. The business gained attention from the court case that this novel was inspired by.
As you read, you get to see, understand and feel what it is like to walk the dangerous line between love and obsession — the result of a love grown from roots of deception and the devastating consequences of possessive love. However, you also get to see love in its purest form; a parental love between a mother and daughter; love between a grandfather and granddaughter after the loss of his daughter. Love manifests in all of its forms in this novel— the good, the bad and the ugly side of it all. The effects of being loved in both the right and wrong way and the tempestuous grey areas.
I didn't want it to end and could have easily read another 100 pages. In saying that, I was completely satisfied by the ending— it felt complete. There is so much more I could and want to say about this book but I think going in without many details is the best way.
All in all, this was a beautiful tragedy.
I think Stephanie Scott has just become an auto-buy author for me. Highly recommended.
#Whatisleftofmeusyours Inspired by a real murder trial that took place in Tokyo in 2010, this is a story of an old love lost and a new love found, affection cloaked in deception and a crime committed in the name of love. In this fictional novel, we follow a fathers quest for justice and a daughter in pursuit of healing answers.
I can't quite believe that this is Stephanie Scott's debut novel — with such nuanced characters, exquisite writing, and meticulously researched details of the Japanese legal system, Scott combines all the components to tell a remarkable story. She builds a world so real you are transported not only to Japan, but into the minds, and hearts of every character — You live every emotion with them, not as a guest but as a part of the story itself. This is the best way to describe the level in which Stephanie makes the story wholly immersive. Though the story is slow-paced, it flows like water.
The glimpses of Japanese culture were fascinating and Stephanie incorporated it into the novel with such intricacy and respect. Stephanie brings light to something I was completely unaware of before reading this and that is the business of 'wakaresaseya.' Wakaresaseya (literally 'breaker-upper') is a person hired by one spouse to seduce the other to gain the advantage in divorce proceedings. The business gained attention from the court case that this novel was inspired by.
As you read, you get to see, understand and feel what it is like to walk the dangerous line between love and obsession — the result of a love grown from roots of deception and the devastating consequences of possessive love. However, you also get to see love in its purest form; a parental love between a mother and daughter; love between a grandfather and granddaughter after the loss of his daughter. Love manifests in all of its forms in this novel— the good, the bad and the ugly side of it all. The effects of being loved in both the right and wrong way and the tempestuous grey areas.
I didn't want it to end and could have easily read another 100 pages. In saying that, I was completely satisfied by the ending— it felt complete. There is so much more I could and want to say about this book but I think going in without many details is the best way.
All in all, this was a beautiful tragedy.
I think Stephanie Scott has just become an auto-buy author for me. Highly recommended.
March 19, 2021
The premise was much more interesting than the story itself. I thought there was a lot more description and explanation of what's happening rather than interaction between characters. I think sometimes it can work out well in that way but in this case, I found it a little dull. I think it turned more into romance than a murder story.
Thanks to Netgalley and to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. It’s not an advanced copy anymore but it only took me 8 months to read this one 😂
Thanks to Netgalley and to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. It’s not an advanced copy anymore but it only took me 8 months to read this one 😂
May 11, 2020
What’s Left of Me is Yours by Stephanie Scott
{Thank you to @doubleday #partner for my advanced review copy}
“We erase events from our lives, experiences that do not fit in with the stories we tell ourselves. Still, there are some memories that hover on the periphery. They reach out to you from another time and transform a moment of joy into one of shame. From then on these recollections stay with you. They linger on the edge of your vision and say, ‘Look at what you are.’”
When Sumiko Sarashima was seven years old, her mother, Rina, was murdered. Now, as an adult and newly licensed attorney, Sumiko begins to sift through case files, video recordings, photographs, and evidence of the past to uncover the truth behind her mother’s murder. What Sumiko finds is the romantic love story between her mother and a man named Kaitaro Nakamura, a man who formerly worked as a “wakaresaseya,” a seducer hired by men to frame their wives and gain the advantage in the divorce. The further Sumiko digs, the closer she comes to learning the truth.
This book BLEW ME AWAY! The story, itself, is told in alternating viewpoints and locations— from the present of Sumiko’s research to the past of Rina’s affair with Kaitaro. As those two timelines begin to converge, Sumiko begins to fill in the gaps of her childhood memories with the truth of what was hidden from her.
In the timeline of the past, we learn that Japanese laws regarding divorce are strict, and the severing of ties leaves no room for pleasantries. When Rina’s husband hires Kaitaro to seduce her, he opens a can of worms when he really just wants the upper hand in their divorce. Though he finds Rina undesirable, he neglects to consider that the man he hires might love her for who she really is.
Not only is Stephanie Scott’s writing exquisite, but she also offers a glimpse into a cultural aspect that I was formerly unfamiliar with. To an extent, I think Sumiko, though a Japanese attorney, had also been unfamiliar with the intricacies of such legal proceedings until she began to investigate her mother’s death. I am such a sucker for a dynamic character, and Stephanie Scott delivered in more ways than one. The secrets that unfold reveal deep layers regarding the most complex emotions— those of love, betrayal, and vengeance.
It’s a slow burn to the action but incredibly well-paced in terms of the backstory and investigation. What’s Left of Me is Yours is filled with beautiful language and will surely leave you with a book hangover. Now which famous book club will make this one a monthly pick? Hmmm... 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
{Thank you to @doubleday #partner for my advanced review copy}
“We erase events from our lives, experiences that do not fit in with the stories we tell ourselves. Still, there are some memories that hover on the periphery. They reach out to you from another time and transform a moment of joy into one of shame. From then on these recollections stay with you. They linger on the edge of your vision and say, ‘Look at what you are.’”
When Sumiko Sarashima was seven years old, her mother, Rina, was murdered. Now, as an adult and newly licensed attorney, Sumiko begins to sift through case files, video recordings, photographs, and evidence of the past to uncover the truth behind her mother’s murder. What Sumiko finds is the romantic love story between her mother and a man named Kaitaro Nakamura, a man who formerly worked as a “wakaresaseya,” a seducer hired by men to frame their wives and gain the advantage in the divorce. The further Sumiko digs, the closer she comes to learning the truth.
This book BLEW ME AWAY! The story, itself, is told in alternating viewpoints and locations— from the present of Sumiko’s research to the past of Rina’s affair with Kaitaro. As those two timelines begin to converge, Sumiko begins to fill in the gaps of her childhood memories with the truth of what was hidden from her.
In the timeline of the past, we learn that Japanese laws regarding divorce are strict, and the severing of ties leaves no room for pleasantries. When Rina’s husband hires Kaitaro to seduce her, he opens a can of worms when he really just wants the upper hand in their divorce. Though he finds Rina undesirable, he neglects to consider that the man he hires might love her for who she really is.
Not only is Stephanie Scott’s writing exquisite, but she also offers a glimpse into a cultural aspect that I was formerly unfamiliar with. To an extent, I think Sumiko, though a Japanese attorney, had also been unfamiliar with the intricacies of such legal proceedings until she began to investigate her mother’s death. I am such a sucker for a dynamic character, and Stephanie Scott delivered in more ways than one. The secrets that unfold reveal deep layers regarding the most complex emotions— those of love, betrayal, and vengeance.
It’s a slow burn to the action but incredibly well-paced in terms of the backstory and investigation. What’s Left of Me is Yours is filled with beautiful language and will surely leave you with a book hangover. Now which famous book club will make this one a monthly pick? Hmmm... 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 21, 2020
A beautifully written story of family secrets, love and betrayal, and the consequences of it. Taking place in Japan. I've never hear of a Wakaresaseya, a person that is hired to seduce another's spouse. This was thought provoking and I read it straight through. One of the best novels I've read and unlike any I've read. I highly recommend this. A great a great book club pick. Simply brilliant!
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY
May 6, 2020
This is such a beautifully written novel. I am not one for flowery or descriptive writing, but this novel does not waste one word, they are all needed. I was savouring each and every one of them until the story took hold of me, and I found myself reading faster and faster, to know what the outcome would be.
I love books set in Japan and in particular Tokyo, so this was a winner for me from the start. It also introduced me to several new facts about Japan I didn't know such as the subject of the novel the "wakaresaseya" and the Japanese legal system. I found all of this so fascinating and an added bonus to the story.
The story is told in the present day by Sumiko and also retrospectively by her Mother Rina and the wakaresaseya Kaitaro. The book glides between the past and present, but does so in such a graceful way that you feel led by the hand, and not at sea as to where in time you are.
I held onto my own theory of what would happen in the story all the way through, until I could no longer close my eyes to the very sad truth. I think this story will continue to haunt me for a long time to come and will not be easily forgotten.
I'm not sure how the author has managed to write such a work of fiction. Although the basis is a true crime; the level of passion and beauty exuded throughout is just astonishing for a first novel.
I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars and my thanks to Random Things Tours for the invite to the blog tour. Also the beautiful hardback copy which I would encourage you to get, as it adds so much more to the enjoyment of reading the book.
I love books set in Japan and in particular Tokyo, so this was a winner for me from the start. It also introduced me to several new facts about Japan I didn't know such as the subject of the novel the "wakaresaseya" and the Japanese legal system. I found all of this so fascinating and an added bonus to the story.
The story is told in the present day by Sumiko and also retrospectively by her Mother Rina and the wakaresaseya Kaitaro. The book glides between the past and present, but does so in such a graceful way that you feel led by the hand, and not at sea as to where in time you are.
I held onto my own theory of what would happen in the story all the way through, until I could no longer close my eyes to the very sad truth. I think this story will continue to haunt me for a long time to come and will not be easily forgotten.
I'm not sure how the author has managed to write such a work of fiction. Although the basis is a true crime; the level of passion and beauty exuded throughout is just astonishing for a first novel.
I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars and my thanks to Random Things Tours for the invite to the blog tour. Also the beautiful hardback copy which I would encourage you to get, as it adds so much more to the enjoyment of reading the book.
April 4, 2020
Review to come! But I really enjoyed this one. Definitely recommend. :)
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What's Left of Me Is Yours is a slow-burning mystery, coming-of-age story, and an examination of love and family. We follow Sumiko as she searches to discover more about her mother, Rina, and how she died. What she uncovers is an unexpected story of love and pain, one that split her family apart. Sumiko has to decide how she will live with what she uncovers—whether she follows in the footsteps of her family, or forges her own path.
Scott's writing is beautiful. There are many sentences that I stopped to underline. While she is great at describing actions and settings in unique, eye-catching ways, I think she excels at capturing the subtleties of thought and emotion. A lot of this hinges on Scott's understanding of Japanese language, and the nuances to certain words and feelings. Sumiko's observations on different ideas and variations in language created many poetic moments where I had to pause and contemplate these ideas myself.
Of course, another key aspect of this novel is the questionable morality surrounding how Sumiko's mother died, and the man who killed her. While this acion may have been black and white in the eyes of the law (also expertly dissected in this book—it is clear Scott has done her research), Sumiko must come to terms with how she will understand her history for herself. I admired how vulnerable she let herself be, while also being able to stand up for herself and her interpretation of events, even in the face of considerable family pressure. There are many important questions brought up about family, loyalty, right and wrong, and forgiveness.
This story is also a love story. We get to learn of Rina's past and the affair that led to her death from the very beginning of the book, and man, is it a complicated story. But Scott weaves together multiple storylines so well, and I loved learning about Rina as an individual with passion, ambitions and dreams. Instead of creating an amorphous victim, Scott gives life to Rina, along with her murderer, and we see the beautiful life that they lived together before it all spiraled out of control. While this crime is one that is not blameless, it was very interesting to learn the backstory and gain a more full understanding of what happened.
This is a well-rounded, heartfelt debut that I absolutely fell in love with! I am so so excited to see what Scott comes up with in the future. If you're looking for a thriller, mystery, family saga, or coming of age story, this one checks off all of those boxes! It is such a unique gem.
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What's Left of Me Is Yours is a slow-burning mystery, coming-of-age story, and an examination of love and family. We follow Sumiko as she searches to discover more about her mother, Rina, and how she died. What she uncovers is an unexpected story of love and pain, one that split her family apart. Sumiko has to decide how she will live with what she uncovers—whether she follows in the footsteps of her family, or forges her own path.
Scott's writing is beautiful. There are many sentences that I stopped to underline. While she is great at describing actions and settings in unique, eye-catching ways, I think she excels at capturing the subtleties of thought and emotion. A lot of this hinges on Scott's understanding of Japanese language, and the nuances to certain words and feelings. Sumiko's observations on different ideas and variations in language created many poetic moments where I had to pause and contemplate these ideas myself.
Of course, another key aspect of this novel is the questionable morality surrounding how Sumiko's mother died, and the man who killed her. While this acion may have been black and white in the eyes of the law (also expertly dissected in this book—it is clear Scott has done her research), Sumiko must come to terms with how she will understand her history for herself. I admired how vulnerable she let herself be, while also being able to stand up for herself and her interpretation of events, even in the face of considerable family pressure. There are many important questions brought up about family, loyalty, right and wrong, and forgiveness.
This story is also a love story. We get to learn of Rina's past and the affair that led to her death from the very beginning of the book, and man, is it a complicated story. But Scott weaves together multiple storylines so well, and I loved learning about Rina as an individual with passion, ambitions and dreams. Instead of creating an amorphous victim, Scott gives life to Rina, along with her murderer, and we see the beautiful life that they lived together before it all spiraled out of control. While this crime is one that is not blameless, it was very interesting to learn the backstory and gain a more full understanding of what happened.
This is a well-rounded, heartfelt debut that I absolutely fell in love with! I am so so excited to see what Scott comes up with in the future. If you're looking for a thriller, mystery, family saga, or coming of age story, this one checks off all of those boxes! It is such a unique gem.
June 15, 2020
Poignant novel set in JAPAN
Our You Tube review: https://youtu.be/iCP6aYB5f_o
4.5*
Listening to an audiobook is an immersive experience and I have truly spent the last few days in Japan. The detail and rhythm of the prose make for wonderful imagery.
Sumiko is looking back at her mother Rina’s life. As far as she knows, she was killed in the 1990s in a car accident. But the reader knows from the outset that Rina was in fact murdered by Kaitaro, a wakaresaseya, hired by Sumiko’s father, Sato. A wakaresaseya is someone who is formally engaged to seduce the other partner in a couple relationship.
Rina and Sato had an abusive marriage and the photographic evidence provided by the wakaresaseya was intended for us in the divorce court. However, Kai and Rina start an affair of the heart and certainly from Rina’s point of view it is true love.
Sumiko has trained as a lawyer, under the steady guidance of her maternal grandfather and she starts her forensic uncovering of her family’s history.
This is the story of one family, blown apart by tragedy. It is a story of secrets and loss. It unfurls at a leisurely pace. It is detailed about Japan and its culture and food, it is perhaps a touch overly exhaustive in the coverage of Rina’s autopsy and the machinations of Japanese law – although it is utterly fascinating to realise that certain aspects were deemed acceptable only a couple of decades ago.
Japan comes alive as the story moves from the coast to Meguro and up to Hokkaido. It certainly sets a colourful and sobering backdrop.
The audiobook is narrated by Hanako Footman, who has the lilting tones, reminding me of Keira Knightley. Her enunciation is precise and crystal clear which worked fine for me, but occasionally the diction was a little skewed – equanamity for equanimity, the emphasis on damask was damāsk and cicadas were pronounced as chicadas.
Overall I really enjoyed listening to this story and felt it evolved gently and sensitively and had me enraptured. At times a little slow but I enjoyed the thoughtful pace. Recommended.
Our You Tube review: https://youtu.be/iCP6aYB5f_o
4.5*
Listening to an audiobook is an immersive experience and I have truly spent the last few days in Japan. The detail and rhythm of the prose make for wonderful imagery.
Sumiko is looking back at her mother Rina’s life. As far as she knows, she was killed in the 1990s in a car accident. But the reader knows from the outset that Rina was in fact murdered by Kaitaro, a wakaresaseya, hired by Sumiko’s father, Sato. A wakaresaseya is someone who is formally engaged to seduce the other partner in a couple relationship.
Rina and Sato had an abusive marriage and the photographic evidence provided by the wakaresaseya was intended for us in the divorce court. However, Kai and Rina start an affair of the heart and certainly from Rina’s point of view it is true love.
Sumiko has trained as a lawyer, under the steady guidance of her maternal grandfather and she starts her forensic uncovering of her family’s history.
This is the story of one family, blown apart by tragedy. It is a story of secrets and loss. It unfurls at a leisurely pace. It is detailed about Japan and its culture and food, it is perhaps a touch overly exhaustive in the coverage of Rina’s autopsy and the machinations of Japanese law – although it is utterly fascinating to realise that certain aspects were deemed acceptable only a couple of decades ago.
Japan comes alive as the story moves from the coast to Meguro and up to Hokkaido. It certainly sets a colourful and sobering backdrop.
The audiobook is narrated by Hanako Footman, who has the lilting tones, reminding me of Keira Knightley. Her enunciation is precise and crystal clear which worked fine for me, but occasionally the diction was a little skewed – equanamity for equanimity, the emphasis on damask was damāsk and cicadas were pronounced as chicadas.
Overall I really enjoyed listening to this story and felt it evolved gently and sensitively and had me enraptured. At times a little slow but I enjoyed the thoughtful pace. Recommended.
May 6, 2020
It's a lovely story about a girl who tragically loses her mother to what she has always believed to be a car accident and when she grows into adulthood begins to piece together the truth; that her mother was brutally murdered. The story has so many guilty but also innocent parties; the father who hires a man to seduce his wife, the grandfather who learns the truth about this man but fails to tell his daughter, the wife who falls victim to the seduction, the child who accepts the interloper as a father figure, and the man hired as a seducer who falls in lover with his target.
In the end it is still unclear love or greed was the driving force in the actions of not only the killer, but also the husband and father left behind. A look into a lesser know industry of Wakaresaseya, people hired to seduce a spouse in order to gain advantage in a divorce, and the impact on the lives of those involved.
In the end it is still unclear love or greed was the driving force in the actions of not only the killer, but also the husband and father left behind. A look into a lesser know industry of Wakaresaseya, people hired to seduce a spouse in order to gain advantage in a divorce, and the impact on the lives of those involved.
April 30, 2020
https://beverleyhasread.wordpress.com/
What’s Left Of Me Is Yours by Stephanie Scott is an accomplished debut about love – both romantic and familial – duty and murder. Set in both modern day Japan and the 1990’s it explores what happens when Kaitarō, a wakaresaseya agent is hired by Satō to have an affair with his wife Rina. In the event of divorce an affair would not only be financially advantageous to Satō but it would also mean that he would gain sole custody of their daughter Sumiko.
What Satō doesn’t anticipate is that Kaitarō and Rina will fall in love, and that this love will end with Rina dead and Kaitarō in jail for her murder. In the present day, Sumiko, who has recently qualified as a lawyer, has spent most of her life believing that her mother died in a car accident. When she discovers the truth about her death she is compelled to find out all she can about Rina, Kaitarō and their relationship.
Seamlessly flitting from the present to the 1990s Stephanie Scott weaves a beautifully intricate tale of two people who fall deeply in love, of a mother’s love for her daughter and of a culture with deep seated traditions. I was transfixed by the compelling narrative which takes us from Tokyo, to coastal towns, small villages and into forests and mountains.
Japan is a living breathing character and the depictions of the traditions, houses, streets and cities made me fall deeply in love with this country. It is richly textured with depth provided by the evident research that the author has undertaken. Small things like the care taken to describe the pinbadge given to a newly qualified lawyer and what it represents, rather than clogging the prose with superflous detail adds another layer to the book, allowing the reader to fall further into the world which Stephanie Scott has created.
Inspired by a real event, the events in this book are fictitious but the love between Rina and Kaitarō feels entirely authentic. It is an agonising slow burn which is made all the tense by the knowledge that we know how it will end. Theirs is a powerful love which is wrapped up in tentative steps and delicate manoeuvre and the spectre of doom hovers just over the horizon and yet, I was willing them to be together.
In the present day, grown up Sumiko is discovering that much of what she has been brought up believing is a lie. I was transfixed by Sumiko’s investigation into her mother’s death, her memories of her childhood and her relationship with her grandfather, Yoshi. It is in these moments that we realise the depth of loss and the space which has been left by the death of Rina. It makes for heartbreaking reading.
What’s Left Of Me Is Yours is an evocative and immersive read and one which I have been unable to stop thinking about. I’m not sure I have the words to convey how wonderful this book is and how impressed I am by the delicate yet intricate writing. This is a book to savour and to enjoy and comes highly recommended from me.
What’s Left Of Me Is Yours by Stephanie Scott is an accomplished debut about love – both romantic and familial – duty and murder. Set in both modern day Japan and the 1990’s it explores what happens when Kaitarō, a wakaresaseya agent is hired by Satō to have an affair with his wife Rina. In the event of divorce an affair would not only be financially advantageous to Satō but it would also mean that he would gain sole custody of their daughter Sumiko.
What Satō doesn’t anticipate is that Kaitarō and Rina will fall in love, and that this love will end with Rina dead and Kaitarō in jail for her murder. In the present day, Sumiko, who has recently qualified as a lawyer, has spent most of her life believing that her mother died in a car accident. When she discovers the truth about her death she is compelled to find out all she can about Rina, Kaitarō and their relationship.
Seamlessly flitting from the present to the 1990s Stephanie Scott weaves a beautifully intricate tale of two people who fall deeply in love, of a mother’s love for her daughter and of a culture with deep seated traditions. I was transfixed by the compelling narrative which takes us from Tokyo, to coastal towns, small villages and into forests and mountains.
Japan is a living breathing character and the depictions of the traditions, houses, streets and cities made me fall deeply in love with this country. It is richly textured with depth provided by the evident research that the author has undertaken. Small things like the care taken to describe the pinbadge given to a newly qualified lawyer and what it represents, rather than clogging the prose with superflous detail adds another layer to the book, allowing the reader to fall further into the world which Stephanie Scott has created.
Inspired by a real event, the events in this book are fictitious but the love between Rina and Kaitarō feels entirely authentic. It is an agonising slow burn which is made all the tense by the knowledge that we know how it will end. Theirs is a powerful love which is wrapped up in tentative steps and delicate manoeuvre and the spectre of doom hovers just over the horizon and yet, I was willing them to be together.
In the present day, grown up Sumiko is discovering that much of what she has been brought up believing is a lie. I was transfixed by Sumiko’s investigation into her mother’s death, her memories of her childhood and her relationship with her grandfather, Yoshi. It is in these moments that we realise the depth of loss and the space which has been left by the death of Rina. It makes for heartbreaking reading.
What’s Left Of Me Is Yours is an evocative and immersive read and one which I have been unable to stop thinking about. I’m not sure I have the words to convey how wonderful this book is and how impressed I am by the delicate yet intricate writing. This is a book to savour and to enjoy and comes highly recommended from me.
April 1, 2020
This is a beautiful book. Scott combines all the elements of a brilliant story: psychologically rich characters, nuanced and gripping plot, and a world so real I could taste it. I also felt it given the intensity of the joys and traumas the characters face, made possible by prose which is both poetic and gripping as it drives towards a tragic but inevitable conclusion. I was desperately hoping things would turn out differently despite knowing better and couldn't help but feel the great sadness at the heart of this dark and powerful novel, brilliantly realised in the character of Sumiko. An amazing debut.
December 27, 2019
Review TK
February 24, 2020
In Japan, there is a person known as a "wakaresaseya" - literally known as a breaker-upper, who can be hired by spouse to seduce the other and therefore gain advantage in a divorce. When Osamu Sato hires wakaresareya Kaitaro to seduce his wife Rina, he has no idea what he has set in motion. Kaitaro and Rina fall in love and Rina remains unaware of the circumstances of their meeting. Told in alternating views of Rina in the past and her present now-grown daughter Sumiko, the story unfolds as everyone is forced to deal with the repercussions of their affair.
This book is beautifully written. The author explains that a newspaper article sparked the idea for the story, while the actual book is fiction. Sumiko receives a strange phone call that causes her to re-examine everything she'd been told about her mother's death and the man who killed her. As she researches, she finds that there are obstacles at every turn. Both a love story and mystery, I also found it quite interesting how Scott explains the Japanese legal system.
I received an advance copy of this book from Doubleday Books. Available April 21, 2020.
This book is beautifully written. The author explains that a newspaper article sparked the idea for the story, while the actual book is fiction. Sumiko receives a strange phone call that causes her to re-examine everything she'd been told about her mother's death and the man who killed her. As she researches, she finds that there are obstacles at every turn. Both a love story and mystery, I also found it quite interesting how Scott explains the Japanese legal system.
I received an advance copy of this book from Doubleday Books. Available April 21, 2020.
July 22, 2025
Benden Kalan Senindir, Japonya’da insanların evlilikleri sonlandırmak amacıyla hizmet veren “wakaresaseya” adlı sektörde çalışanlar etrafında şekillenen bir hikaye sunuyor.
Gerçek bir olaydan esinlenen kurgu; aşk, güven ve ihanet sınırlarının birbirine karıştığı bir olayı anlatıyor. Annelik, kayıp, bir kız çocuğunun kendini bulma süreci ve yas gibi temalar da zamanla hikayeye eşlik ediyor. Merak unsuru her bölümde artarak ilerliyor.
Hikaye daha çok olay odaklı ilerlediği için, karakterlerin psikolojik çözümlemeleri yüzeyde kalmış. Hikaye bu açıdan bana biraz eksik gibi geldi. Yine de farklı bir konuyla karşılaşmak güzeldi. Yaz aylarında deniz kenarında okumak için iyi bir tercih olabilir.
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Gerçek bir olaydan esinlenen kurgu; aşk, güven ve ihanet sınırlarının birbirine karıştığı bir olayı anlatıyor. Annelik, kayıp, bir kız çocuğunun kendini bulma süreci ve yas gibi temalar da zamanla hikayeye eşlik ediyor. Merak unsuru her bölümde artarak ilerliyor.
Hikaye daha çok olay odaklı ilerlediği için, karakterlerin psikolojik çözümlemeleri yüzeyde kalmış. Hikaye bu açıdan bana biraz eksik gibi geldi. Yine de farklı bir konuyla karşılaşmak güzeldi. Yaz aylarında deniz kenarında okumak için iyi bir tercih olabilir.
https://www.instagram.com/cityreaders...
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