By: Daman Lobana'25
Photo courtesy of Goodreads
The Aosawa Murders, written by Japanese author Riku Onda, describes a chilling and complexly woven crime scene that plunges its readers toward its murky depths spanning memory, perception, and mystery. The book sets the scene in the 1970s when a gruesome mass poisoning of the prominent Aosawa family gripped the entire city. The only surviving member of the family is Hisako, the blind and often admired daughter of the family, who becomes the focal point of speculation and suspicion as you, an interested book reporter, explore different perspectives, ranging from the author of another book documenting the murders to the detectives and Hisako herself.
Something that makes The Aosawa Murders unique is the narrative style it undertakes while revealing key details about different suspects, with each chapter dedicated to either interviews, monologues, or reflections from individuals having significant connections with the crime. This technique provides different layers of complexity to the mystery, with each character bringing their own biases and interpretation, leaving the reader to search through fragmented and even unreliable accounts to uncover key parts of the story. I found this structure particularly engaging because it required complete attention to certain details that make sense as you approach the climax of the book.
The character of Hisako Aosawa is particularly fascinating as our central suspect. As we explore the different accounts, she remains an enigma throughout the book. Onda masterfully keeps the reader guessing regarding our perceptions of her, making us question whether she is a conspirator, a victim, a witness, or something more sinister. This ambiguity keeps the reader engaged as Hisako never really revealed her true self, and her aloofness brings the tensions of the story, making her character linger long after you finish the book.
When it comes to pacing, the novel relies on slower buildups. While dramatic twists or high-octane actions might be lacking, the story builds tensions through the atmosphere and character psychology. The book kept me guessing the trustworthiness and true motivations behind the character’s actions. This eeriness and almost dreamlike quality of Onda’s writing precisely adds to the novel’s mysteriousness. There were moments where you had to sit back and appreciate the subtleness with which Onda reveals certain details about the characters, making you question the validity of information that you learned before.
While keeping the novel’s strengths in mind, there are aspects that I believe could affect a reader’s experience with the novel. The nonlinear narrative, while captivating, sometimes felt too convoluted, and there were moments when I felt confused and wished for a more straightforward approach to building the minor plot points. The ambiguity aspect might also affect some readers because though it adds to the atmosphere, it makes it difficult to connect emotionally with the characters. Moreover, the readers might find the lack of clear answers or concrete resolutions unsatisfying, especially if they prefer mysteries with more definitive conclusions.
In conclusion, The Aosawa Murders is one novel I would highly recommend to readers who enjoy horror mysteries during the Halloween season that are psychological and rely more on atmosphere and character studies than action. While it may not be for readers looking for traditional structures with neat endings, those who appreciate a more cerebral and meditative expression, would appreciate the storytelling behind Onda’s writing.
*Note: the article was republished due to site maintenance. The original publication date is October 4th, 2024.
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