Title: Battle Royale
Author: Koushun Takami
Published: 1st April 2014, Haikasoru
Pages: 647
Source: Bought
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5
Koushun Takami's notorious high-octane thriller envisions a nightmare scenario: a class of junior high school students is taken to a deserted island where, as part of a ruthless authoritarian program, they are provided with arms and forced to kill until only one survivor is left standing. Criticized as violent exploitation when first published in Japan - where it became a runaway best seller - Battle Royale is a Lord of the Flies for the 21st century, a potent allegory of what it means to be young and (barely) alive in a dog-eat-dog world.
Pages: 647
Source: Bought
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5
Koushun Takami's notorious high-octane thriller envisions a nightmare scenario: a class of junior high school students is taken to a deserted island where, as part of a ruthless authoritarian program, they are provided with arms and forced to kill until only one survivor is left standing. Criticized as violent exploitation when first published in Japan - where it became a runaway best seller - Battle Royale is a Lord of the Flies for the 21st century, a potent allegory of what it means to be young and (barely) alive in a dog-eat-dog world.
Battle Royale is a fantastic and brutal dystopian novel about 42 teenage classmates who are forcibly transported to an island to battle each other to the death until only one remains. At almost 650 pages, it is a surprisingly quick read that is so fast-paced and had me on the edge of my seat.
Although this is a translation, I thought Battle Royale was wonderfully written. It is just so descriptive and really captured each character's personality, the setting, and brutal murders in so much detail. At one point I actually had to take a pause from reading because a certain kill made me feel sick (for those who have read it all I'm saying is eyes). However, it's also worth noting that there are some problematic and sexist bits in Battle Royale, i.e. boys don't cry, girls need to be protected etc. But at the same time, this is wholly within the character's personalities and are the character's views.
The story switches between the POVs of most of the characters. With 42 teenagers you'd think this would be confusing, but it wasn't. I actually found that it helped me get to know each of the characters. I really felt for so many of them and hated others with a passion. There are so many sad moments throughout this book. Granted more towards the beginning, but I think I was becoming a bit acclimatised by the end. Takami puts so much personality into the characters that you can't help but be terrified for them. You also get a bit attached to them which makes their deaths so much more upsetting.
Many parts of the story are predictable. I had an idea of which characters would make it close to the end purely by their no mercy brutality. However, the last 100 pages had me gripped by plot twists that I did not see coming at all. I also felt like the ending, although very sad, also gave some hope. It's very open-ended but I quite liked it that way.
I really enjoyed Battle Royale very much and I'm gutted Koushun Takami hasn't written anything else. He's a fantastic storyteller. I think I will definitely try to check out the companion manga, Angel's Border, though. Anyone who likes dystopian stories and doesn't mind graphic deaths should definitely check Battle Royale out. Just don't eat while reading it! I also can't wait to re-read it already.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this. And too bad there aren't more books by this author for you to check out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting!
Delete