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A review by thereadingcath
The Black Lizard and Beast In the Shadows by Edogawa Rampo
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I stumbled upon this book by chance thanks to the bookstagram community. After brief google search the author Edogawa Rampo (pseudonym of Hirai Taro, 1894-1965) and learning that he was a grand master of Japan's golden age of crime and mystery fiction, I was intrigued to read his works.
This book is split into two parts – Introduction and Translation. In the Introduction, it brings us to the history and brief development of the Japanese mystery fiction, including Rampo’s influential role in this genre. Interestingly, some of the western literature such as Edgar Allan Poe and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, were already translated into Japanese as early as the late 1800s and has influenced Rampo’s writing.
Moving on to the translation, I find it was done very well as I can feel the liveliness of the stories. Both stories are gothic mysteries with grotesque characters, which left me feeling slightly disturbed.
In The Black Lizard, the interactions between characters, especially detective vs villain, are quite animated. I like that the characters are bold and fierce, distinctive from each other with hints of emotions. The plot is direct and fast paced.
As for Beast in the Shadows, the story is about a MC, who is a mystery writer trying to help his female friend to solve a problem. The blunt description of his observation and inner thoughts, follow by his subsequent discovery, display the naked truth about human nature. It turns out to be quite an interesting mystery with unexpected plot twist.
With such a different writing style from decades ago, this is a refreshing read from modern western mystery fiction. But, it might not be for everyone.
This book is split into two parts – Introduction and Translation. In the Introduction, it brings us to the history and brief development of the Japanese mystery fiction, including Rampo’s influential role in this genre. Interestingly, some of the western literature such as Edgar Allan Poe and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, were already translated into Japanese as early as the late 1800s and has influenced Rampo’s writing.
Moving on to the translation, I find it was done very well as I can feel the liveliness of the stories. Both stories are gothic mysteries with grotesque characters, which left me feeling slightly disturbed.
In The Black Lizard, the interactions between characters, especially detective vs villain, are quite animated. I like that the characters are bold and fierce, distinctive from each other with hints of emotions. The plot is direct and fast paced.
As for Beast in the Shadows, the story is about a MC, who is a mystery writer trying to help his female friend to solve a problem. The blunt description of his observation and inner thoughts, follow by his subsequent discovery, display the naked truth about human nature. It turns out to be quite an interesting mystery with unexpected plot twist.
With such a different writing style from decades ago, this is a refreshing read from modern western mystery fiction. But, it might not be for everyone.