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A Quiet Place
While on a business trip to Kobe, Tsuneo Asai receives the news that his wife Eiko has died of a heart attack. Eiko had a heart condition so the news of her death wasn't totally unexpected. But the circumstances of her demise left Tsuneo, a softly-spoken government bureaucrat, perplexed. How did it come about that his wife—who was shy and withdrawn, and only left their house twice a week to go to haiku meetings—ended up dead in a small shop in a shady Tokyo neighborhood?
When Tsuneo goes to apologize to the boutique owner for the trouble caused by his wife’s death he discovers the villa Tachibana near by, a house known to be a meeting place for secret lovers. As he digs deeper into his wife's recent past, he must eventually conclude that she led a double life...
When Tsuneo goes to apologize to the boutique owner for the trouble caused by his wife’s death he discovers the villa Tachibana near by, a house known to be a meeting place for secret lovers. As he digs deeper into his wife's recent past, he must eventually conclude that she led a double life...
235 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1975
199 people are currently reading
5320 people want to read
About the author
Seichō Matsumoto
589 books567 followersSeicho Matsumoto (松本清張, Matsumoto Seichō), December 21, 1909 – August 4, 1992) was a Japanese writer.
Matsumoto's works created a new tradition of Japanese crime fiction. Dispensing with formulaic plot devices such as puzzles, Matsumoto incorporated elements of human psychology and ordinary life into his crime fiction. In particular, his works often reflect a wider social context and postwar nihilism that expanded the scope and further darkened the atmosphere of the genre. His exposé of corruption among police officials as well as criminals was a new addition to the field. The subject of investigation was not just the crime but also the society in which the crime was committed.
The self-educated Matsumoto did not see his first book in print until he was in his forties. He was a prolific author, he wrote until his death in 1992, producing in four decades more than 450 works. Matsumoto's mystery and detective fiction solidified his reputation as a writer at home and abroad. He wrote historical novels and nonfiction in addition to mystery/detective fiction.
He was awarded the Akutagawa Prize in 1952 and the Kikuchi Kan Prize in 1970, as well as the Mystery Writers of Japan Award in 1957. He chaired the president of Mystery Writers of Japan from 1963 to 1971.
Credited with popularizing the genre among readers in his country, Matsumoto became his nation's best-selling and highest earning author in the 1960s. His most acclaimed detective novels, including Ten to sen (1958; Points and Lines, 1970); Suna no utsuwa (1961; Inspector Imanishi Investigates, 1989) and Kiri no hata (1961; Pro Bono, 2012), have been translated into a number of languages, including English.
He collaborated with film director Yoshitarō Nomura on adaptations of eight of his novels to film, including Castle of Sand.
Matsumoto's works created a new tradition of Japanese crime fiction. Dispensing with formulaic plot devices such as puzzles, Matsumoto incorporated elements of human psychology and ordinary life into his crime fiction. In particular, his works often reflect a wider social context and postwar nihilism that expanded the scope and further darkened the atmosphere of the genre. His exposé of corruption among police officials as well as criminals was a new addition to the field. The subject of investigation was not just the crime but also the society in which the crime was committed.
The self-educated Matsumoto did not see his first book in print until he was in his forties. He was a prolific author, he wrote until his death in 1992, producing in four decades more than 450 works. Matsumoto's mystery and detective fiction solidified his reputation as a writer at home and abroad. He wrote historical novels and nonfiction in addition to mystery/detective fiction.
He was awarded the Akutagawa Prize in 1952 and the Kikuchi Kan Prize in 1970, as well as the Mystery Writers of Japan Award in 1957. He chaired the president of Mystery Writers of Japan from 1963 to 1971.
Credited with popularizing the genre among readers in his country, Matsumoto became his nation's best-selling and highest earning author in the 1960s. His most acclaimed detective novels, including Ten to sen (1958; Points and Lines, 1970); Suna no utsuwa (1961; Inspector Imanishi Investigates, 1989) and Kiri no hata (1961; Pro Bono, 2012), have been translated into a number of languages, including English.
He collaborated with film director Yoshitarō Nomura on adaptations of eight of his novels to film, including Castle of Sand.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 585 reviews
April 12, 2019
Asai is on a business trip to Kobe when he discovers his wife has died of a heart attack in Tokyo. But when he returns home he discovers her body was found in a shady part of town – what was she doing so far away from their house? As he begins to investigate, he finds out his wife has been leading a secret double life…
The premise of Seicho Matsumoto’s novel A Quiet Place has a lot of potential but none of it is realised. The “mystery” is unremarkable and unravels at a tediously slow pace with nothing interesting happening along the way. All of the characters are boring people, especially the protagonist unfortunately, and Matsumoto’s prose is flat and doesn’t muster up any tension.
The final act is rushed and horribly contrived. Out of nowhere, Asai does something rash and out of character that tries to give the book an unearned crescendo that instead ends up baffling. Following that is the forced introduction of two characters in an attempt to create an unconvincing dramatic finale but only underscores the feeble narrative.
I’m not really sure what the point of the book was. There isn’t really a message here – something about class differences keeps being brought up; how the privileged get put on the fast track through the civil service while the poor, like Asai, have to struggle to get anywhere. Uh huh – and? If the point was entertainment then it failed completely.
A Quiet Place is a dreary wannabe mystery thriller that’ll only put you to sleep. I recommend watching paint dry instead – it’s more mentally stimulating!
The premise of Seicho Matsumoto’s novel A Quiet Place has a lot of potential but none of it is realised. The “mystery” is unremarkable and unravels at a tediously slow pace with nothing interesting happening along the way. All of the characters are boring people, especially the protagonist unfortunately, and Matsumoto’s prose is flat and doesn’t muster up any tension.
The final act is rushed and horribly contrived. Out of nowhere, Asai does something rash and out of character that tries to give the book an unearned crescendo that instead ends up baffling. Following that is the forced introduction of two characters in an attempt to create an unconvincing dramatic finale but only underscores the feeble narrative.
I’m not really sure what the point of the book was. There isn’t really a message here – something about class differences keeps being brought up; how the privileged get put on the fast track through the civil service while the poor, like Asai, have to struggle to get anywhere. Uh huh – and? If the point was entertainment then it failed completely.
A Quiet Place is a dreary wannabe mystery thriller that’ll only put you to sleep. I recommend watching paint dry instead – it’s more mentally stimulating!
January 27, 2022
3,5 estrellas.
Me ha gustado mucho el final. Lástima que estire un poquito demasiado hasta llegar a la parte interesante. El principio se hace algo aburrido con este funcionario gris que acaba de perder a su joven esposa por un ataque al corazón y poco a poco empieza a preguntarse qué hacia ella en el lugar en el que murió y por qué había ido allí. Y tras este comienzo llega pasada la mitad del libro, al punto álgido. Y a partir de ahí es un thriller.
Se parece en ese sentido a "La chica de Kyushu", que también comienza lenta, planteando un pequeño problema, pero es a partir de cierto punto cuando ves a dónde quiere dirigirse la historia. En este caso me ha gustado un poquito menos porque mientras "La chica de Kyushu" podemos decir que es desde el principio una novela negra, "Un lugar desconocido" se convierte en una más allá de la mitad del libro. ¿Me ha gustado esa descripción y crítica del mundo funcionarial japonés? Por supuesto, esas cosas me gustan mucho. Pero he notado tal vez que le faltaba cierto "punch". A ver, que me la he leido tan ricamente y me ha gustado, pero creo que de las tres que he leido del autor, es la que menos me ha gustado. Pero "menos" sigue significando que es una novela que me ha gustado.
Me ha gustado mucho el final. Lástima que estire un poquito demasiado hasta llegar a la parte interesante. El principio se hace algo aburrido con este funcionario gris que acaba de perder a su joven esposa por un ataque al corazón y poco a poco empieza a preguntarse qué hacia ella en el lugar en el que murió y por qué había ido allí. Y tras este comienzo llega pasada la mitad del libro, al punto álgido. Y a partir de ahí es un thriller.
Se parece en ese sentido a "La chica de Kyushu", que también comienza lenta, planteando un pequeño problema, pero es a partir de cierto punto cuando ves a dónde quiere dirigirse la historia. En este caso me ha gustado un poquito menos porque mientras "La chica de Kyushu" podemos decir que es desde el principio una novela negra, "Un lugar desconocido" se convierte en una más allá de la mitad del libro. ¿Me ha gustado esa descripción y crítica del mundo funcionarial japonés? Por supuesto, esas cosas me gustan mucho. Pero he notado tal vez que le faltaba cierto "punch". A ver, que me la he leido tan ricamente y me ha gustado, pero creo que de las tres que he leido del autor, es la que menos me ha gustado. Pero "menos" sigue significando que es una novela que me ha gustado.
May 15, 2018
If the novel starts out somewhat slowly, with the protagonist rather laboriously going through the clues to piece together how his wife died, it does at least two things excellently: it dispenses with the need for a know-it-all sleuth, or in fact any police, and then about a third of the way from the end, yanks a twist so hard and complete that I was left having to reappraise what went before, elevating the book from a well-done pulp to a piece of art asking difficult questions of Japanese society, human morality and fate. And I hear that this wasn't even Matsumoto's best work. I'll definitely look for more of his books in translation.
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March 12, 2022
Tsuneo Asai is an efficient section chief in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry whose life revolves around his job. He's on a business trip when he gets a phone call that his wife died of a heart attack. She had a known heart condition so the cause of death was not a surprise. But his shy wife climbed a steep hill before collapsing inside a cosmetic shop in a neighborhood that she had never mentioned to her husband. What was she doing in that sketchy neighborhood? Tsuneo has questions about her death, and investigates the people in the neighborhood in his search for the truth.
This is a psychological suspense mystery that starts out slowly and builds in tension to a clever ending. The story also illustrates the large role that Japanese social norms and obligations play in everyday life. The book has many interesting characters, including Tsuneo who becomes more and more paranoid. "A Quiet Place" is a quick read, and left me wanting to sample more of Seicho Matsumoto's work.
This is a psychological suspense mystery that starts out slowly and builds in tension to a clever ending. The story also illustrates the large role that Japanese social norms and obligations play in everyday life. The book has many interesting characters, including Tsuneo who becomes more and more paranoid. "A Quiet Place" is a quick read, and left me wanting to sample more of Seicho Matsumoto's work.
October 31, 2021
Un interessante noir, che trae ritmo e atmosfera dalle ossessioni del protagonista, Asai, funzionario ministeriale dedito al lavoro e sposato da sette anni con Eiko. Un matrimonio tranquillo, senza impennate di passione, che si conclude quando la giovane moglie muore di infarto per strada.
Inizia per Asai un periodo di inquietudine che lo porterà ad approfondire le circostanze della morte improvvisa e a entrare in un vortice inesorabile di desiderio di capire e poi di vendicarsi.
Scritto nel 1972, mette in evidenza le gerarchie, l’etica del lavoro e le convenzioni sociali del Giappone dell’epoca.
Inizia per Asai un periodo di inquietudine che lo porterà ad approfondire le circostanze della morte improvvisa e a entrare in un vortice inesorabile di desiderio di capire e poi di vendicarsi.
Scritto nel 1972, mette in evidenza le gerarchie, l’etica del lavoro e le convenzioni sociali del Giappone dell’epoca.
August 31, 2021
E così sono arrivata anche all'ultimo della trilogia Adelphi di Matsumoto Seichō!
"Un posto tranquillo" inizia silenziosamente, per poi trasformarsi in un crescendo di inquietudine che dal protagonista trapela fino al lettore. La tensione sale nelle ultime 40 pagine, trovando l'apice in un finale superbo.
Spero che Adelphi continui a pubblicare altri noir di questo grande autore giapponese.
"Un posto tranquillo" inizia silenziosamente, per poi trasformarsi in un crescendo di inquietudine che dal protagonista trapela fino al lettore. La tensione sale nelle ultime 40 pagine, trovando l'apice in un finale superbo.
Spero che Adelphi continui a pubblicare altri noir di questo grande autore giapponese.
March 25, 2017
At first I blamed the English translation for the unremarkable prose and plodding pace of the story. It couldn't be the author (who is praised for his psychological thrillers) could it? But the more I read, the more I understood that the dull writing was a deliberate device. The main character, Tsuneo Asai, is a middle-aged bureaucrat who has made it up the ladder in the ministry through circumspect behavior and persistent hard work. He thinks almost exclusively about his job and, as a result, his life is as unexciting as the prose Matsumoto uses to describe it. Asai’s wife is younger than he is; described as plain, quiet and unassuming. She copes well with her husband’s travel and work schedule, spending time with her sister and attending haiku meetings. While out of town on business, Asai is notified that his wife has died - not at their home in Tokyo, but among strangers in an unfamiliar neighborhood he wasn’t aware she ever visited. Asai is understandably curious and begins an investigation that quickly turns into an obsessive need to learn exactly what kind of life his wife had been leading. At this point, the tone of the story changes and accelerates to keep pace with Asai’s increasing loss of self-control.
Parts were very interesting, especially the insight into Japanese thought and societal norms. But the other parts bogged down the story with too much repetition of Asai’s internal thoughts and observations. Overall, 2.5 stars rounded up.
Parts were very interesting, especially the insight into Japanese thought and societal norms. But the other parts bogged down the story with too much repetition of Asai’s internal thoughts and observations. Overall, 2.5 stars rounded up.
November 2, 2021
Non è per niente male. Da agosto non riuscivo a leggere un libro per intero, quindi se non altro devo dire che mi ha preso. Mi ha anche fatto fare qualche incubo terapeutico, di quelli da svegliarsi la notte urlando (forse sì, gli incubi notturni possono essere terapeutici: una sorta di valvola di sfogo per quelli diurni).
Però il finale è davvero raffazzonato e tirato via, peccato. Ma signor Matsumoto, cos'è successo? Ha avuto un altro impegno tanto impellente da non riuscire a finire di scrivere il romanzo? o era finita l'ispirazione? vabè, dai, fa lo stesso. Tre stelle e mezzo.
Però il finale è davvero raffazzonato e tirato via, peccato. Ma signor Matsumoto, cos'è successo? Ha avuto un altro impegno tanto impellente da non riuscire a finire di scrivere il romanzo? o era finita l'ispirazione? vabè, dai, fa lo stesso. Tre stelle e mezzo.
November 12, 2021
¿A dónde nos pueden llevar nuestras obsesiones? Un hombre se convierte en detective involuntario al empezar a investigar los cabos sueltos de la muerte de su esposa. Y con él nos arrastra a los lectores a una trama llena de giros que podría ser una película de Hitchcock.
December 30, 2020
This book was ridiculous.
While on a business trip, Tsuneo Asai finds out his wife has died unexpectedly from a heart attack. He rushes back home to Tokyo. After learning all the details, he goes to the shop where she died and sees it's by a hotel known for couples' getaways. Mr. Asai is convinced Eiko was living another life and cheating on him. Now he's determined to figure out her secrets.
Unless I missed some actual concrete evidence that Eiko had an affair, this whole plot was melodramatic and unrealistic af. Especially, because part of Mr. Asai's evidence was his lack of sex life with his wife. Like please. That is not a reason. Besides his ridiculous conclusion jumps, it actually turned out to be true! I just couldn't wrap my head around this. Not for me.
While on a business trip, Tsuneo Asai finds out his wife has died unexpectedly from a heart attack. He rushes back home to Tokyo. After learning all the details, he goes to the shop where she died and sees it's by a hotel known for couples' getaways. Mr. Asai is convinced Eiko was living another life and cheating on him. Now he's determined to figure out her secrets.
Unless I missed some actual concrete evidence that Eiko had an affair, this whole plot was melodramatic and unrealistic af. Especially, because part of Mr. Asai's evidence was his lack of sex life with his wife. Like please. That is not a reason. Besides his ridiculous conclusion jumps, it actually turned out to be true! I just couldn't wrap my head around this. Not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2020
Una morte improvvisa in un posto tranquillo.
C’è qualcosa di strano, però, e Asai, diligente e ossequiente funzionario ministeriale, non sarà soddisfatto finché la sua ricerca meticolosa e ossessiva non giungerà a svelare l’inquietante mistero.
E nemmeno chi legge avrà pace fino a quando non sarà arrivato, girando voracemente le pagine, alla fine di questo noir giapponese, dove ogni dettaglio costruisce a poco a poco un congegno perfetto e micidiale.
(E mi auguro che Adelphi continui a tradurre Matsumoto Seicho).
C’è qualcosa di strano, però, e Asai, diligente e ossequiente funzionario ministeriale, non sarà soddisfatto finché la sua ricerca meticolosa e ossessiva non giungerà a svelare l’inquietante mistero.
E nemmeno chi legge avrà pace fino a quando non sarà arrivato, girando voracemente le pagine, alla fine di questo noir giapponese, dove ogni dettaglio costruisce a poco a poco un congegno perfetto e micidiale.
(E mi auguro che Adelphi continui a tradurre Matsumoto Seicho).
August 15, 2025
From the writer of Tokyo Express comes another story that really plays with the idea that we never really know the people we love nor what we are capable of when this love is tested.
Tsuneo Asai is a businessman who is more lickspittle than success. He is with a boss he is trying to ingratiate himself with when he is given the news that his wife, Like, has died suddenly. At first Asai accepts that Eiko has merely died from over-exerting the weak heart she was diagnosed with. But as time goes on he begins to uncover a web of lies and he makes plans to find out the truth and take revenge.
Asai is an interesting character who seems to blunder from one disaster to another. Just as you think he's getting somewhere he finds himself in even more trouble. Where the train timetables played a starring role in Tokyo Express, here it is the inept Asai.
The story does meander a little at times but the action, when it comes, is quite shocking.
I really enjoyed it. If you liked Tokyo Express you'll enjoy this.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Penguin Press for the advance review copy.
Tsuneo Asai is a businessman who is more lickspittle than success. He is with a boss he is trying to ingratiate himself with when he is given the news that his wife, Like, has died suddenly. At first Asai accepts that Eiko has merely died from over-exerting the weak heart she was diagnosed with. But as time goes on he begins to uncover a web of lies and he makes plans to find out the truth and take revenge.
Asai is an interesting character who seems to blunder from one disaster to another. Just as you think he's getting somewhere he finds himself in even more trouble. Where the train timetables played a starring role in Tokyo Express, here it is the inept Asai.
The story does meander a little at times but the action, when it comes, is quite shocking.
I really enjoyed it. If you liked Tokyo Express you'll enjoy this.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Penguin Press for the advance review copy.
September 4, 2016
This is rather a classic in Japanese crime/mystery genre. Matsumoto was an originator of the form in that country. This is before tech, I-phones, Internet- all of that. This author passed away long ago and I will read all of his. Don't know why I've overlooked him.
It's told in the "eyes" of Tsuneo Asai. He is a company man working his way up the ladder. Rung by rung. Coming from humble background and being dedicated to his education and his passing the entrance to civil service has encompassed his entire life as the primary purpose. Always the primary core to his actions. He is around 40 and has had some bad luck. No children.
He is the investigator in this story, as he is trying to determine the true circumstances of his wife of 7 years death of a heart attack. It happens in an area that she would have no reason to visit.
The beginning is super, super slow. Completely Japanese in detail, manners, logic, emotional courtesies of depth. And also many business and economic/ monetary asides to the context of information that Asai determines.
The middle of the book is better. Extremely intense and deductible sublime (aka Sherlock) conclusions for some amusing parsing to a haiku. Haiku composed by his departed wife; haiku composition was her hobby.
This is entertaining and not difficult to read. If you read Japanese works in English translation, you do understand there is always considerable positional and manners dialogue. This book included. It has deeper and deeper insight into Asai as the book proceeds.
I thought the plot, as formulaic in some aspects as it was- did take some twists. And parts of it I foresaw as inevitable. Much of the end I did.
There's a larger difference in these from Western "Christie" type fare, IMHO. It's actually maybe a couple of issues that I've noticed. It's that the "crisis" or reveal may come much sooner than in Western who-dun-its. And that more "happens" after the reveal as to the workings of their society in consequences or rectifying the "balance" of reprisal or acceptance too.
This one does both of those things. And it is truly representative of the Japanese good will and intent, yet "Company Man".
It's told in the "eyes" of Tsuneo Asai. He is a company man working his way up the ladder. Rung by rung. Coming from humble background and being dedicated to his education and his passing the entrance to civil service has encompassed his entire life as the primary purpose. Always the primary core to his actions. He is around 40 and has had some bad luck. No children.
He is the investigator in this story, as he is trying to determine the true circumstances of his wife of 7 years death of a heart attack. It happens in an area that she would have no reason to visit.
The beginning is super, super slow. Completely Japanese in detail, manners, logic, emotional courtesies of depth. And also many business and economic/ monetary asides to the context of information that Asai determines.
The middle of the book is better. Extremely intense and deductible sublime (aka Sherlock) conclusions for some amusing parsing to a haiku. Haiku composed by his departed wife; haiku composition was her hobby.
This is entertaining and not difficult to read. If you read Japanese works in English translation, you do understand there is always considerable positional and manners dialogue. This book included. It has deeper and deeper insight into Asai as the book proceeds.
I thought the plot, as formulaic in some aspects as it was- did take some twists. And parts of it I foresaw as inevitable. Much of the end I did.
There's a larger difference in these from Western "Christie" type fare, IMHO. It's actually maybe a couple of issues that I've noticed. It's that the "crisis" or reveal may come much sooner than in Western who-dun-its. And that more "happens" after the reveal as to the workings of their society in consequences or rectifying the "balance" of reprisal or acceptance too.
This one does both of those things. And it is truly representative of the Japanese good will and intent, yet "Company Man".
March 9, 2022
3,5 . Lo que mas me gusta de leer los libros de Matsumoto es que no se parecen entre ellos ni en la estructura ni en las tramas como ocurre con otros autores de novela negra que suelen repetir la formula. En este caso el libro no es tan redondo como la chica de kyushu que de los 3 publicados por asteroide es en mi opinión el mejor. En esta ocasión el libro va mejorando según avanzas pero es cierto que el principio es lento y a veces con repeticiones que no vienen a cuento porque te vuelve a contar lo que te había narrado dos páginas atrás sin ninguna razón que lo justifique. Con todo un libro como todos los de este escritor muy interesante.
January 21, 2022
pacato e sommesso, matsumoto randella di brutto la società giapponese, le sue convenzioni e ipocrisie. quanto ai personaggi, non se ne salva manco mezzo. applausi per seicho.
March 18, 2024
Boníssim. Tot comença quan Eiko, l'esposa de Tsuneo Asai, mort per un infart. A partir d'aquell moment Tsuneo s'obsessiona en reconstruir les últimes hores de la seva esposa. És brillant. M'ha enganxat de principi a fi. És un novel·la d'intriga psicològica que alhora entranya una crítica brillant de la rígida societat japonesa.
March 21, 2016
Being a huge fan of mystery books I've been kicking myself recently for not having been reading more Internationally. Especially when I realize I've been missing out on reading authors like Matsumoto--not only did I get the mystery fix I'm always after but I also got to be immersed in a bit of Japanese culture and daily life as Tsuneo Asai finds that he just can't let go of the feeling that something is off after his wife's death.
Instead of having closure after visiting the shop owner of the store his wife died in he's left even more puzzled, and from there the mystery of who his wife really was begins to build...
I won't say anymore because I so thoroughly enjoyed how this developed and the turns it took I'd hate to spoil it for anyone else but if you're a fan of mysteries I recommend this one.
Instead of having closure after visiting the shop owner of the store his wife died in he's left even more puzzled, and from there the mystery of who his wife really was begins to build...
I won't say anymore because I so thoroughly enjoyed how this developed and the turns it took I'd hate to spoil it for anyone else but if you're a fan of mysteries I recommend this one.
Read
November 15, 2021Fuck the haters down below in the review. This is essential goddamn crime fiction.
Hear me out. Normally, I don't even like genre fiction at all, simply because it has to conform to a genre, but crime has always intrigued me as a means of telling a story, and A Quiet Place is a perfect example of hockey stick-graph intensity. At first it's a bit of a peculiar plod at solving one mystery, and then there's a fairly predictable twist, and it turns into some of the most paranoid prose I've ever been fortunate enough to encounter, on par with the great Alan Pakula movies of the '70s. And part of what makes that paranoia so damn good is how the paranoid protagonist -- rather than being a master coverer of tracks with third-eye foresight -- is a bit dumb, and his attempts come off more like a college freshman trying to find excuses for why they didn't turn their term paper in.
Hear me out. Normally, I don't even like genre fiction at all, simply because it has to conform to a genre, but crime has always intrigued me as a means of telling a story, and A Quiet Place is a perfect example of hockey stick-graph intensity. At first it's a bit of a peculiar plod at solving one mystery, and then there's a fairly predictable twist, and it turns into some of the most paranoid prose I've ever been fortunate enough to encounter, on par with the great Alan Pakula movies of the '70s. And part of what makes that paranoia so damn good is how the paranoid protagonist -- rather than being a master coverer of tracks with third-eye foresight -- is a bit dumb, and his attempts come off more like a college freshman trying to find excuses for why they didn't turn their term paper in.
December 24, 2022
Entretenido, sin cabos sueltos, para nada previsible. Disfrute mucho este libro, me llevo más tiempo del que hubiera querido, pero es para agarrarlo y no soltarlo.
Si tenes ganas de leer algo ligero y que te atrape. Seicho Matsumoto.
Si tenes ganas de leer algo ligero y que te atrape. Seicho Matsumoto.
November 26, 2021
Alguna innecesaria repetición de información en la primera mitad y un final algo brusco.
February 5, 2023
3.5⭐️
ホ𝗨𝗡 𝗟𝗨𝗚𝗔𝗥 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗖𝗜𝗗𝗢ホ de Seicho Matsumoto
Una novela policial japonesa, un thriller oscuro correctamente desarrollada y descrito, no solo en estructura sino en trama, todo transcurre de manera correcta, sin fallas y con la cadencia y sobriedad de los nipones.
Uɴᴀ ᴍᴜᴇʀᴛᴇ﹐ ᴜɴᴀ ᴛʀᴀɪᴄɪᴏ́ɴ﹐ ᴜɴᴀ ɪɴᴠᴇsᴛɪɢᴀᴄɪᴏ́ɴ ʏ ᴜɴᴀ ᴠᴇɴɢᴀɴᴢᴀ.
Una sociedad en la que valen e imperan las apariencias (la hipocresía social) y el respeto por el trabajo (honrar siempre al trabajo) como telón de fondo de la historia.
¿Hᴀsᴛᴀ ᴅᴏɴᴅᴇ sᴏᴍᴏs ᴄᴀᴘᴀᴄᴇs ᴅᴇ ʟʟᴇɢᴀʀ ᴘᴏʀ ᴜɴᴀ ᴏʙsᴇsɪᴏ́ɴ﹖
Un ritmo lento, pausado que, por momentos por el exceso de “corrección” y sutilezas, amuerma, pero no deja de ser una historia muy bien contada, con el suspenso justo y una pluma soberbia. Un clima que va en aumento y con un final a la altura del libro. Para apreciar más la historia hay que contextualizar la novela, es un libro escrito en el año 1975.
Un libro que disfruté de principio a fin.
Quiero leer más del autor, me recomendaron mucho: “El expreso de Tokio”.
Disfruto mucho de estas lecturas que, siendo ficción, retratan la idiosincrasia de una sociedad, nos muestran una cultura diferente a la nuestra.
Pronto club de lectura, mucho para debatir.
ホ𝗨𝗡 𝗟𝗨𝗚𝗔𝗥 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗖𝗜𝗗𝗢ホ de Seicho Matsumoto
Una novela policial japonesa, un thriller oscuro correctamente desarrollada y descrito, no solo en estructura sino en trama, todo transcurre de manera correcta, sin fallas y con la cadencia y sobriedad de los nipones.
Uɴᴀ ᴍᴜᴇʀᴛᴇ﹐ ᴜɴᴀ ᴛʀᴀɪᴄɪᴏ́ɴ﹐ ᴜɴᴀ ɪɴᴠᴇsᴛɪɢᴀᴄɪᴏ́ɴ ʏ ᴜɴᴀ ᴠᴇɴɢᴀɴᴢᴀ.
Una sociedad en la que valen e imperan las apariencias (la hipocresía social) y el respeto por el trabajo (honrar siempre al trabajo) como telón de fondo de la historia.
¿Hᴀsᴛᴀ ᴅᴏɴᴅᴇ sᴏᴍᴏs ᴄᴀᴘᴀᴄᴇs ᴅᴇ ʟʟᴇɢᴀʀ ᴘᴏʀ ᴜɴᴀ ᴏʙsᴇsɪᴏ́ɴ﹖
Un ritmo lento, pausado que, por momentos por el exceso de “corrección” y sutilezas, amuerma, pero no deja de ser una historia muy bien contada, con el suspenso justo y una pluma soberbia. Un clima que va en aumento y con un final a la altura del libro. Para apreciar más la historia hay que contextualizar la novela, es un libro escrito en el año 1975.
Un libro que disfruté de principio a fin.
Quiero leer más del autor, me recomendaron mucho: “El expreso de Tokio”.
Disfruto mucho de estas lecturas que, siendo ficción, retratan la idiosincrasia de una sociedad, nos muestran una cultura diferente a la nuestra.
Pronto club de lectura, mucho para debatir.
November 5, 2022
This was a hard to find one, thanks to the Kinokuniya shop in NYC I finally tracked it down. It's from the 70's in Japan but by the end it felt like something a little older. It doesn't feel like noir at all at first, but eventually settles into it as our protagonist becomes more obsessive about explaining why his wife was in a particular place when she died suddenly.
October 16, 2022
Muy bueno, un domestic noir oriental muy inteligente. Poquito a poquito te va enganchando y sorprendiendo agradablemente. Tengo que leer otras obras de este autor.
August 3, 2025
I have been meaning to try this author for a while, so I looked forward to this one.
Asia was on a business trip when he received news that his wife, who had a weak heart, had died. When he finds out what happened, and where, he is puzzled as to why she would be there, and starts to look into things. Was his wife leading a double life?
I enjoyed reading the cultural aspects of the book, but found the protagonist both deeply unpleasant and rather boring. He makes a bit of a tangle for himself as the story goes on, and the outcome was satisfying if unsurprising. I recently read The Jealous One by Celia Fremlin, in my opinion, a much more successful psychological thriller. I'm glad I finally got to read this author, and may try more of his work if I come across it.
*Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a review copy in exchange for an honest opinion.*
Asia was on a business trip when he received news that his wife, who had a weak heart, had died. When he finds out what happened, and where, he is puzzled as to why she would be there, and starts to look into things. Was his wife leading a double life?
I enjoyed reading the cultural aspects of the book, but found the protagonist both deeply unpleasant and rather boring. He makes a bit of a tangle for himself as the story goes on, and the outcome was satisfying if unsurprising. I recently read The Jealous One by Celia Fremlin, in my opinion, a much more successful psychological thriller. I'm glad I finally got to read this author, and may try more of his work if I come across it.
*Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a review copy in exchange for an honest opinion.*
December 25, 2024
« Non appena si rese conto di aver commesso un'azione irreparabile, un delitto, si senti infiammare da capo a piedi.
Erano bastati cinque minuti ed era diventato un omicida. Non avrebbe mai immaginato un evento del genere nel suo destino. Uno come lui non sarebbe mai stato capace di ammazzare un altro uomo.».
4,5 ⭐️ Cosa si può dire di Matsumoto Seichō? Stupendo davvero questo giallo, mi ha lasciato solo l’amaro in bocca un po’ il finale… si poteva spiegare meglio
Erano bastati cinque minuti ed era diventato un omicida. Non avrebbe mai immaginato un evento del genere nel suo destino. Uno come lui non sarebbe mai stato capace di ammazzare un altro uomo.».
4,5 ⭐️ Cosa si può dire di Matsumoto Seichō? Stupendo davvero questo giallo, mi ha lasciato solo l’amaro in bocca un po’ il finale… si poteva spiegare meglio
January 3, 2021
Asai Tsuneo, un funzionario del Ministero dell'Agricolutra di Tokyo, si trova in trasferta a Kobe quando riceve la notizia che la sua giovane moglie è improvvisamente morta d'infarto. Allo choc iniziale (gestito però in maniera molto nipponica, per la serie "mi spiace che il cuore di mia moglie abbia rovinato questa cena di lavoro") subentra però il tarlo del sospetto: che cosa ci faceva Eiko in quel quartiere e in quella profumeria? Come mai era morta di infarto, visto che dopo il leggero attacco di cuore di qualche tempo prima, lei era diventata attentissima alla sua salute, al punto di sospendere del tutto la vita sessuale coniugale? A che cosa si doveva l'improvviso sbocciare di una femminilità nuova e intrigante? E perché quell'haiku, con quegli oggetti che le erano estranei? La risposta a queste domande prenderà la forma di una ricostruzione praticamente perfetta che scatenerà in Asai il desiderio di vendetta per il suo onore di piccolo funzionario irreprensibile e rigoroso, specie ora che, dopo una vita professionale in penombra, per fare spazio a raccomandati meno capaci di lui, gli vengono attribuiti i primi, meritati riconoscimenti. Un paio di corna, insomma, per quanto completamente insospettabili, pesa parecchio sul suo orgoglio di uomo. E così. ecco che, da vittima, Asai si trasforma in carnefice....
Il terzo romanzo di Matsumoto Seicho pubblicato da Adelphi , il quarto che leggo, (l'altro è Come Sabbia fra le dita, con altro editore), il quarto centro. La precisione cristallina delle sue ricostruzioni (ve lo ricordate in Tokio Express?) prende qui la forma di un percorso a ritroso al termine del quale tutti gli indizi saggiamente disseminati qua e là, da quelli materiali a quelli psicologici, troveranno il proprio posto. Bellissimo, al solito, il Giappone che ci viene raccontato, in bilico fra l'ansia del cambiamento e l'amore per le tradizioni, fra geishe e comunità hippies, fra agricoltori aperti alla modernità e funzionari attenti a che nulla sfugga al loro controllo, fra case giapponesi abbandonate a favore di moderni condomini e rigore nell'osservanza del lutto o nel coltivare le antiche arti di un Paese che è intriso sì di poesia, ma anche di drammi e di tragedie. I treni ci sono, naturalmente e occupano come sempre un posto importante, in un romanzo che si legge d'un fiato e che, neanche a dirlo, consiglio.
Il terzo romanzo di Matsumoto Seicho pubblicato da Adelphi , il quarto che leggo, (l'altro è Come Sabbia fra le dita, con altro editore), il quarto centro. La precisione cristallina delle sue ricostruzioni (ve lo ricordate in Tokio Express?) prende qui la forma di un percorso a ritroso al termine del quale tutti gli indizi saggiamente disseminati qua e là, da quelli materiali a quelli psicologici, troveranno il proprio posto. Bellissimo, al solito, il Giappone che ci viene raccontato, in bilico fra l'ansia del cambiamento e l'amore per le tradizioni, fra geishe e comunità hippies, fra agricoltori aperti alla modernità e funzionari attenti a che nulla sfugga al loro controllo, fra case giapponesi abbandonate a favore di moderni condomini e rigore nell'osservanza del lutto o nel coltivare le antiche arti di un Paese che è intriso sì di poesia, ma anche di drammi e di tragedie. I treni ci sono, naturalmente e occupano come sempre un posto importante, in un romanzo che si legge d'un fiato e che, neanche a dirlo, consiglio.
September 20, 2021
Matsumoto Seichō è stato l’innovatore della letteratura di genere noir giapponese del secondo ‘900, a cui ha dato una forte impronta sociale e di approfondimento psicologico sull’uomo dell’epoca (un periodo di grande sviluppo economico e di orgoglio per una nazione che ha saputo rialzare la testa dopo la batosta della Seconda Guerra Mondiale, ma anche di corruzione e di mantenimento di strutture gerarchiche arcaiche e anacronistiche).
Tutto questo lo ritroviamo in Un posto tranquillo, il cui protagonista, Tsuneo Asai, è un funzionario ministeriale di estrazione umile e per questo mai favorito nel fare carriera, ma che comunque ha raggiunto una posizione abbastanza rilevante grazie alla sua assoluta dedizione al lavoro e alla sua meticolosità. È un uomo misurato, senza interessi, grigio, eppure in lui covano passioni inaspettate, una rabbia feroce verso chi ha molti meno meriti di lui ma molti più santi in paradiso.
Questi sentimenti progressivamente si accendono, e l’innesco è la morte di sua moglie, una morte per cause naturali, per infarto (seppure giovane aveva già avuto problemi di cuore), che però ad Asai sembra nascondere qualcosa, dei segreti, una seconda vita della donna, forse una relazione extraconiugale. Così si mette a indagare.
E da qui parte una spirale di ossessione che progressivamente cresce di intensità e trascina anche il lettore.
Ho adorato questo libro e questo scrittore, che senza dubbio continuerò a leggere.
Tutto questo lo ritroviamo in Un posto tranquillo, il cui protagonista, Tsuneo Asai, è un funzionario ministeriale di estrazione umile e per questo mai favorito nel fare carriera, ma che comunque ha raggiunto una posizione abbastanza rilevante grazie alla sua assoluta dedizione al lavoro e alla sua meticolosità. È un uomo misurato, senza interessi, grigio, eppure in lui covano passioni inaspettate, una rabbia feroce verso chi ha molti meno meriti di lui ma molti più santi in paradiso.
Questi sentimenti progressivamente si accendono, e l’innesco è la morte di sua moglie, una morte per cause naturali, per infarto (seppure giovane aveva già avuto problemi di cuore), che però ad Asai sembra nascondere qualcosa, dei segreti, una seconda vita della donna, forse una relazione extraconiugale. Così si mette a indagare.
E da qui parte una spirale di ossessione che progressivamente cresce di intensità e trascina anche il lettore.
Ho adorato questo libro e questo scrittore, che senza dubbio continuerò a leggere.
August 6, 2016
Rather than a mystery, I think this book was more of a human behavior study. A prime example of the phrase "one thing led to another....".
Matsumoto-san as always is a master on tempo. Started with adagio, built up to andante, allegro, then abruptly gone.
Matsumoto-san as always is a master on tempo. Started with adagio, built up to andante, allegro, then abruptly gone.
October 18, 2024
Una novela negra oriental que no acabó de satisfacer mis expectativas, las dos novelas que leí de este escritor fueron muy buenas, pero está en particular me provocó cierto aburrimiento que fue creciendo conforme la trama avanzaba.
El principio es engañoso y prometedor, no entra de lleno a ser una historia policiaca, más bien coquetea con la reflexión interior de un hombre más allá de su medianía que tiene en apariencia una vida buena, pero si profundiza en su alrededor puede que las cosas no sean tan brillantes como se ven.
Esta primera parte es lenta, pues desmenuza ampliamente detalles y tecnicismos sobre el trabajo del protagonista, un empleado de nivel medio en un ministerio del gobierno, pero esto se ve justificado más adelante cuando las cosas empiezan a ponerse policiacas.
Aunque el misterio está bien construido, yo creo que parece languidecer muy rápido, en mi caso cuando el misterio se descubre y todavía queda un tercio del libro, perdí el interés pues anticipaba cuál sería el final y eran muchas páginas las que faltaban para poder llegar a un lugar, al que hacía un rato ya estaba, eso le quitó todo el encanto.
Aunque me interesó sobre todo el aspecto cultural de ciertos comportamientos o actitudes, o emociones, es decir la forma en que expresan o muestran sus sentimientos.
Por ejemplo el protagonista siente en su interior que algo no está bien y que debe investigar, pero lo expresa de la siguiente manera críptica y hasta cierto punto poética:
“Se podría decir que había decidido actuar cuando la sombra del insecto se había vuelto más oscura.”
En algún momento el protagonista piensa que su casa es vieja y anticuada, pero el terreno es tan grande que podría venderla y comprarse un departamento lujoso, pero esa idea la rechaza por qué:
“Sin embargo, no tenía la categoría social para vivir en un piso de lujo.”
En ese tenor de una persona que vive en una sociedad donde las convenciones sociales lo rigen todo, podemos entender el comportamiento de cada personaje, pero al mismo tiempo me parece que se estiró mucho la resolución que pudo haberse resuelto muchas pero muchas páginas antes.
El principio es engañoso y prometedor, no entra de lleno a ser una historia policiaca, más bien coquetea con la reflexión interior de un hombre más allá de su medianía que tiene en apariencia una vida buena, pero si profundiza en su alrededor puede que las cosas no sean tan brillantes como se ven.
Esta primera parte es lenta, pues desmenuza ampliamente detalles y tecnicismos sobre el trabajo del protagonista, un empleado de nivel medio en un ministerio del gobierno, pero esto se ve justificado más adelante cuando las cosas empiezan a ponerse policiacas.
Aunque el misterio está bien construido, yo creo que parece languidecer muy rápido, en mi caso cuando el misterio se descubre y todavía queda un tercio del libro, perdí el interés pues anticipaba cuál sería el final y eran muchas páginas las que faltaban para poder llegar a un lugar, al que hacía un rato ya estaba, eso le quitó todo el encanto.
Aunque me interesó sobre todo el aspecto cultural de ciertos comportamientos o actitudes, o emociones, es decir la forma en que expresan o muestran sus sentimientos.
Por ejemplo el protagonista siente en su interior que algo no está bien y que debe investigar, pero lo expresa de la siguiente manera críptica y hasta cierto punto poética:
“Se podría decir que había decidido actuar cuando la sombra del insecto se había vuelto más oscura.”
En algún momento el protagonista piensa que su casa es vieja y anticuada, pero el terreno es tan grande que podría venderla y comprarse un departamento lujoso, pero esa idea la rechaza por qué:
“Sin embargo, no tenía la categoría social para vivir en un piso de lujo.”
En ese tenor de una persona que vive en una sociedad donde las convenciones sociales lo rigen todo, podemos entender el comportamiento de cada personaje, pero al mismo tiempo me parece que se estiró mucho la resolución que pudo haberse resuelto muchas pero muchas páginas antes.
February 24, 2020
Whilst on an important business trip to Kobe, Tsuneo Asai, a conscientious civil servant, takes a phone call telling him the devastating news that his wife Eiko has died suddenly of a heart attack. Being the person he is, Asai meticulously attends to the business he needs to, before departing. In the following weeks as he methodically goes through his wife’s dairy leading up to her death, he becomes suspicious and begins to investigate.
For its first half its slow and pallid, with details repeated almost to the point of irritation, but then becomes quite suddenly a lot darker, exploring a culture where respectability and appearance are of paramount importance and criminality can become concealed from the public gaze.
Be patient with this and if you can stick with it, it will reward.
For its first half its slow and pallid, with details repeated almost to the point of irritation, but then becomes quite suddenly a lot darker, exploring a culture where respectability and appearance are of paramount importance and criminality can become concealed from the public gaze.
Be patient with this and if you can stick with it, it will reward.
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