Battle Royale [Paperback]

 

 

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A previous review compares the novel to the manga series claiming that the novel is a poor adaptation. It would be important to realize that the manga is instead an adaptation of the novel (released in 2000 where the novel was first published in 99) and more accurately, the American Tokyopop version referenced in the review was even later released in 2003.

This novel was unbelievably addictive, I literally could not put it down until I was finished days later. It was an intensely vivid and terrifying glance into the psychology of fear and trust. It is undoubtedly gory and excessively violent but is extremely successful in its goals. By far some of the most incredibly exciting fiction I have read in years.

Imagine this: Japan is run by a totalitarian government, which occasionally selects groups of ninth graders to methodically destroy each other. On TV.

There now, isn't that chilling? It's the creepy, all-too-real premise of Koushun Takami's "Battle Royale," an intricate novel about a parallel universe, where Japan is part of a brutal, coldhearted empire. Takami's writing style is a bit too spare at times, but he's still able to inspire a sense of haunting terror in his readers.

A group of third-year high-schoolers are being transported on a bus, when they are gassed to unconsciousness, and taken to a distant island. When they awake, they have silver collars around their necks, and a man explains that they have been chosen for the Program: a military training exercise where you must kill or be killed. If you don't play, or stay in one place too long, the collars explode.

The teenagers slowly weed one another out, armed with weapons and random household tools, and monitored by the authorities to make sure they don't plot. Finally the entire class is weeded down to three young adults, including Shuya Nanahara and his girlfriend Noriko. But if they refuse to kill, then they must escape the fascist nightmare... which no one has done before.

"Battle Royale" was condemned in Japan for being so violent, and having a bunch of normal high schoolers killing each other off. So of course, it became a massive bestseller. But "Battle Royale" would have been striking even if it hadn't been publicized like that -- not only is it well-written, but it asks the question straight-out: how much will people do to survive?

Maybe it's also a parable about high-school life, and the struggle to succeed at all costs in Japan. However, Koushun Takami avoids any outright preaching or pondering. Instead he uncoils the tense plot, all about the kids fighting (they're told to "show no mercy") as they try to find a way out of their dilemma alive. Will any of them make it? There's a little glimmer of hope, since Shuya is trying to think his way out.

The pacing is pretty slow and intricate -- considering the large cast, it's not surprising. But the careful plot is punctuated with bursts of nasty action. And Takami writes in a spare, taut style, full of little details to add atmosphere and keep it from being TOO stark ("Under the moonlight, the bluish-white concrete pier gleamed like bone").

Shuya and Noriko are the main characters, and most of the novel's action is through their eyes. These are nice, normal, everyday kids like the ones who live down the street, but suddenly they're faced with their friends and classmates... wanting to kill them. Takami does a great job exploring their emotions as they struggle to keep their sanity and lives.

Violent, creepy and wonderfully atmospheric, "Battle Royale" is a brilliant cult novel that takes an exaggerated look at what it takes to stay ahead. Excellent piece of work.

I'm not the type who likes extreme violence, guts, and gore (which this book is filled with, but for good reason), but I really, really enjoyed this book. It is the best pulp fiction I've ever read. Keep in mind, though, that it is no masterpiece along the lines of Shakespeare and Fitzgerald in terms of language usage (it was translated from the Japanese language, and I thought the translator still did a fine job).

However, "Battle Royale" is a very memorable book; you will be surprised how all the events stay in your mind. Despite there being some 42 kids with difficult Japanese names, I remembered each character, how they lived, and how they died. And this book is literally impossible to put down-it's v. v. compulsive reading. I finished it in one sitting.

You probably already know what this book is about, but here's a quick plot summary anyway: the Japanese government institutes "Battle Royale," and randomly selects 50 ninth-grade classes for the program. Each class is left on a deserted island, supplied with different weapons, and forced to kill each other until there is only one survivor. Most are unsure of each other's intentions and cannot trust anyone; this is what the government wants: for no one to trust each other well enough to form a group against the government.

"Battle Royale" has understandably been criticized as violent exploitation (esp. since these kids are 14-15 and some are more than willing to hack each other up), but there is something much more deeper than that. The book explores tricky relationships between people, and there are many questions asked in the film, like "Who can I trust?", "Can I trust my best friend?", "Can I trust my boyfriend/girlfriend?", "What is right/wrong?", "Can we fight the system?", "Since we're dying anyway, should I tell you I have a crush on you?", etc. These are all v. interesting questions and the author does a fabulous job of answering them, showing the devastating results. The description of violence is v. graphic as to be over-the-top and distracting sometimes, and the writing is sometimes corny and painful, but as a whole, the book moves extraordinarily well.

On the whole, most of the characters are developed well and we understand why they are doing what they are. In every page, we find teenage angst, lust, love, treachery, betrayal, goodness, jealousy, suspicion, hatred, and all those goodies. Although many of the characters do unspeakable things to their classmates (either willfully or out of fear), we feel for them. We understand them and therefore, feel pity for them when they die or are wounded. Only good books can elicit that kind of feeling for 42 different characters. I highly recommend the book. Don't expect to be blown away by the writing style, but do expect to be blown away by an interesting and irresistible premise, thoughtful ideas, and a GREAT story of friendship and other human relationships.

(If you enjoy the book, you should definitely watch the movie "Battle Royale", which is the best movie coming out of Japan in years. I read the book before I saw the movie, and although I think the book is better, the movie is also incredible. Some of the scenes in the movie, especially the lighthouse scene with Yukie, even outdo the book. Of course, some characters aren't as well developed, but that's expected and understandable. With excellent acting, great direction, fantastic use of classical music, and a superb story, the movie is definitely a must-see.)

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5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute page-turner.
When I first heard about the premise behind this novel, I couldn't believe it. Japanese high-school kids on an island, killing each other until only one is left standing? Read more

Published on Mar 13 2009 by Trevor Moe

5.0 out of 5 stars Battle Royale
I first heard of Battle Royale as a movie. The premise is simple. Students are taken to a deserted island, where they would have to kill each other in three days, or else everone... Read more

Published on April 1 2006 by Nicolo Cervantes

1.0 out of 5 stars Just Wrong
Well I admit that I took the book from sheer knowledge of the title and the attractive cover to it.. Its horrible. Read more

Published on Jan 9 2005

4.0 out of 5 stars Born to Run
I am sure that most individuals who read this thick book will have most likely viewed the Fukasaku Kinji film of the same name. Read more

Published on July 14 2004 by Daitokuji31

4.0 out of 5 stars Not "Lord of the Flies."
Everyone seems forced to compare Battle Royale to Lord of the Flies. Sure, it's a group of kids on an island who are forced to survive by their own skills. Read more

Published on Jun 30 2004 by civer19

5.0 out of 5 stars truly amazing
Though this book took me some time to read because of the thickness. but it is one of the best books I have ever read. Read more

Published on Jun 30 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars One Bloody Page-Turner.
In his violent, controversial first novel, Koushun Takami takes us to the Republic of Greater East Asia, a contemporary, fictional, essentially fascist empire that includes Japan... Read more

Published on Jun 29 2004 by mirasreviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read
While browsing through the local Barnes and Noble I made my treck through the aisles until I stubbled unpon the alluring cover of Battle Royale. Read more

Published on Jun 18 2004 by Emolikenoother

5.0 out of 5 stars Not for the faint of heart...
Well, now, basic summary- Kill Bill plus River City Ransom (an old NES game recently remade on GBA about a teen whose... off topic, my bad! Read more

Published on Jun 15 2004 by bemani_man

5.0 out of 5 stars Addicting
This is possibly one of the most addicting books I've ever read. I could not put it down! The interesting premise was well executed and I found each of the survival scenarios... Read more

Published on Jun 11 2004 by celes1

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