Confessions | chapters 1 & 2

[Lala, owner]

This book is broken up into 6 chapters across 240 pages. Having not read the book yet and with it being so short, I struggle to create pointed questions regarding the plot.

That is to say, please feel free to go into any and all of your thoughts and feelings from these first 2 chapters.

How is the initial tone?
Has the setup intrigued you?
What mysteries are being presented?
What do you think the books goals are?

[PossessedbyKaitlyn]

So far I’m really enjoying the writing style and the narrative that’s being presented. I like the way things are being revealed. It’s a lot darker and more messed up than I thought it would be but I’m having a great time

[Becca]

I am really enjoying it. I find I don’t want to put it down and there are smart revelations that come up at the perfect time. The chapters are very long but broken up by pauses. I am intrigued to see where the story goes from here.

[Dominique]

I didn't know what I would be getting myself into. At first I thought they would be separate short stories but I like that everything is connected. The first chapter gave me real Sylvain Neuvel Sleeping Giants vibes because the narrator is talking to someone off 'camera'. I liked the first chapter the most because everything the teacher tells comes back in one way or another.

After the second chapter I'm really curious to find out what will happen in the rest of the story. How are things going to play out? What is the book's goal? I guess we'll have to keep on reading to find out!

[Lisette]

It took me a while to get used to the writing style. And was absolutely amazed by the connection of the chapters and the plot twists!

[Stavroula]

From the first two chapters I get that this book is very different from anything I have read and I like it. I 'm curious to see how all the chapters connect.

[Alize]

I really like this book so far !
At first I was a bit confused because I didn't really understand where she was going with the teacher's story, it jumped from one subject to the other but it really comes full circle, and every bit as it's importance.
I love the way it's written. The chapters are long and it's a bit frustrating because I don't have the time to read it in one go, but I don't want to put the book down !

[Nicole]

I’ve only read the first chapter so far, but I’m really curious about the likelihood of contracting HIV from drinking infected blood? It seems like the chances would be pretty low but that’s probably not a very common situation to be in so it’s hard to find any research on Google

[Micchi]

The first chapter, honestly, didn't really grab me. It felt...overly simplified, a little dry, a little boring. I wondered if that was a translation thing - some translated works I've read come off similarly, almost clinical in tone.

And then I read the second chapter and that changed everything.

I entirely GET the first chapter - it's a story being told to 13-year-olds, by a grieving and angry mother. Yes, it's clinical and dry, and that's on purpose. The second chapter is so different, it almost feels like a different author wrote it. The author here has done a phenomenal job of creating distinct voices so far, and that adds so many layers to what's going on. I'm very excited to see how the rest of this plays out.

[Vicki]

DISTURBING! I don’t know what to say. Scary as well because as a former school principal, I see these types of students who are bored and like to do pranks. Bullying and boredom at its highest. Also, we now have a huge mental health crisis world wide. What was the headline a few days ago: How Two Middle School ‘Desperadoes’ Ended Up in a Police Shootout”. Look it up in the NYT. Disturbing but I couldn’t put it down. 😮😳

[TraceyL]

I'm intrigued to see where this story goes. I agree that the author has done a great job at making the different points of view sound distinct. I don't know how much I'm enjoying it yet.

[Leigh]

To be honest, not really sure how I feel just yet. I’m enjoying the small plot twists and that the two chapters are connected. I’m not loving the writing style and it’s taken me a little bit to get into it. However, I’m intrigued to finish it and see where the story leads.

[Doreen]

Really liking it so far. Disturbing.

[Amber]

I'm struggling with this one. I'm not usually a fan of epistle or narration. I cannot connect with teacher and can't stand the kids.

[kailyn]

I like this so far. I had to get used to the style of writing since I just finished something lighter (tone and reading wise). The first chapter was so good! I loved how everything wrapped together to form this awful ball that started the destruction. I believe that it will be a domino effect for all the other characters. The second chapter, I feel, proves that. I’m wondering what else is going to happen…

[Angeliki]

I am enjoying it! I really like the writing style and the setup especially in the first chapter. I didn't like the second chapter like the first. The chapters are long but I am intrigued to see where the story leads.

[Bre]

I’m only 1/2 way through the first chapter and DANG. SO MANY THINGS! I’m enjoying the format of a lecture and I bet an audio version would be awesome!

Such long chapters though 😱but those are broken into smaller sections, so that helps.

[Dorian]

It’s been an easy read for me so far, but I do find that I’m skimming a bit. I find I’m getting lost in the names and all the characters. It reads a lot like a subbed Japanese movie IMO. I keep imagining dubbed English translation lol. I’d say it’s about a 3.5 for me so far but I’m interested to see where it goes.

[Eli]

I'm loving this! The audiobook is great!

[Jocelyn]

At first, I didn't like the writing style and was soooo confused where the heck the story was going. Like, who cares about milk that much? LOL but then the twists starting coming and I was shook!

[Alesha]

I'm liking it so far... very disturbing, though! I'm interested to see what other perspectives come up in the next four chapters. I got my boyfriend to participate this month and he's already finished and rated it 5 stars, so I'm fairly excited to continue. I will say the writing style of the first chapter was a bit jarring at first to get used to, but I did get into it after 10-20 pages. The twists so far have also been great! I'm guessing the overall goal is to show how one initial action/event ends up affecting so many different people and the consequences that follow.

[Bre]

As a teacher myself, as soon as I heard about this pick, I was excited to see my thoughts!!! I've just been reading along and while it's definitely got some things that aren't realistic, it's not done in a bad way, it's done in an intentional way. Also, there were some twists I didn't expect!

[Mandy]

I don’t know what to say. I’m quite enjoying this.

The tone feels almost farcical, sarcastic, but incredibly dark. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I love the weird tone and vibes.

So far the two viewpoints are really interesting.

This reads a lot like Bunny by Mona Awad and I loved that book.

This one is weird in a more realistic way. Excited to see where it goes.

[This Kooky Wildflower Loves a Little Tea and Books]

How is the initial tone? Things are going to go down and I'm here for every moment.

Secrets are going to get told and people may seriously deal with some ramifications of their behavior.

This book is going to shock and entertain.

[Laina]

I'm wondering a bit if some of this book was inspired by the tragic death of Satomi Mitarai in 2004, as it's discussing the age of criminal responsibility. The "Lunacy Incident" shares parallels, with the girl being referred to as "Ms. A" when that girl was called "Girl A".

Also @Nicole you would have to have an open wound in your mouth to get HIV from drinking blood. It can't survive in your stomach.

As a product of its time, the HIV/AIDS depiction is quiet outdated, obviously, but that is likely very inaccurate.

[L.J.]

I finished the second chapter last night. I was uncertain if I would like this book based on the first chapter alone, but once I reached the ending of chapter one I realized that I was in for a treat.

I love the writing style and the tone. It is dark, unsettling, and twisted. I honestly did not predict at all what direction this was going to take. If things continue the way they are right now, this might be a solid 5 star read for me.

[Cat]

Chapter 1: ummm wtf did I just read?

Chapter 2: this is crazy.

[jaime ⚡️]

This book is so, so different than I was anticipating. Still trying to figure out if I like the writing style; but the story is very intriguing. I literally gasped out loud when I realized what the teacher had done to the two students at the end of Chapter 1 in revenge.

I do have a question, though. Did Mizuki figure out that the boys don’t actually have HIV/AIDS at the end of Chapter 2? I couldn’t quite figure out if that’s what was meant. I’m about to start Chapter 3 so we will see if that gets cleared up for me.

[Sally]

This is quite disturbing and bizarre.

[Julia]

I'm absolutely loving this! The first chapter already was a perfect short story to me, and I was really sceptical whether it would be able to keep the momentum with their being so many twists at the beginning... but wow, the second chapter was just as great! I love the writing and how both chapters so far had really distinct voices. Also, I'm always into discussions about people taking "justice" into their own hands.

Spoiler for the end of chapter 2: That last page seemed pretty ooc for Mizuki. I'm wondering if she's really planning on doing something, or just wrote those things to provoke Moriguchi-sensei. Her question in the end makes me think the latter, which I would actually prefer. And I totally guessed that the teacher didn't actually put blood into the milk -- or at least that's we're supposed to believe right now? The descriptions were very vague, which still makes me wonder...

Super excited to continue!! <3

[Charlene]

This book finally came available from my library! The writing style is very different, but I am liking the way the story is progressing and the revelations.