I am participating in the Japanese Literature Challenge 17 hosted by Dolce Bellezza. It runs from January through February, 2024. The goal is to read and review one or more books which were originally written in Japanese. There is a post at Dolce Bellezza for links to reviews.
Tokyo Express is my first book read for the challenge. It was Seichō Matsumoto's first novel, published in 1958.
In this novel, two detectives in different cities in Japan investigate the same crime and collaborate, sharing their thoughts and discoveries. A man and a woman are found dead on a beach in Kashii, and the police assume that it is a double suicide. Inspector Torigai in Kashii is first assigned to the case, and he has no reason to disagree with that determination, but he does notice some puzzling aspects and continues to have nagging questions. Later Inspector Mihara from Tokyo comes to discuss the case with Torigai. Torigai realizes that the aspect of the case that Mihara is looking into is connected to government corruption and fraud. He thinks the deaths are related to a bribery scandal in the government.
The two detectives share their concerns and thoughts about the deaths. They form a bond because they are both sure that there is another answer to this case, that it is not suicide. It is pretty obvious close to the beginning who the guilty party is, but there is always a question, are they right or wrong, and can they prove it one way or the other? The alibis of their suspects depend on train schedules, so a good amount of time is spent on that aspect of the alleged crime.
It is a short novel, 150 pages, and the first half seemed too slow and repetitive to me. The book was initially published as a serial in a magazine, and that could be the explanation for the repetition. However, the second half picked up and I was pleased with the ending. Plus, it is a good picture of Japan after World War II.
This novel was first published in English translation as Points and Lines (translated by two different translators). I have a copy of that book (purchased back in 2016) but did not realize it until I had finished reading this edition of the book.
I have read one other mystery by Matsumoto, A Quiet Place, published in 1975.
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Publisher: Penguin, 2023 (orig. pub. 1958)
Length: 150 pages
Format: Trade paperback
Setting: Japan
Genre: Mystery, Police Procedural
Source: Purchased in 2023
Translated by Jesse Kirkwood
14 comments:
For good Japanese mysteries, I would also recommend two novels that were published in English last year: 'The Meiji Guillotine Murders by Yamada Futaro' and 'The Samurai and the Prisoners by Yonezawa Honobu'. Both are critically acclaimed historical honkaku mystery novels. 'The Samurai and the Prisoners' won not only mystery awards, but also Naoki prize (one of the big Japanese literary award). They are both interconnected short stories novels.
I've read a few Japanese novels, several of them crime fiction, and I'm impressed by how revealing some of them are about a segment of life in Japan that foreigners otherwise don't get much exposure to. Everything seems, at least on the surface, to be so calm and organized in Japan, so Japanese fiction can be a real eye-opener in more ways than one, I think.
I read a lot of Japanese novels 40 years or more ago when we had a friend in Tokyo for a year. I love Japanese movies, especially the ones by Ozu-like Tokyo Story. I am eagerly awaiting Perfect Days by Wim Wenders, about a man who cleans toilets in Tokyo. They had some amazing public toilets that look like shrines.
I'm so glad you spotlighted this book, Tracy. I've read another of his novels, and wanted to read more of his work. I agree that he paints a clear picture of post-war Japan, and I do like the way he depicts Japanese society. I'm going to have to put this one on my wish list.
Anonymous, Thanks for commenting. I looked up those mysteries and they both sound good. I will do more research on them. I do enjoy interconnected short stories novels especially.
Sam, I agree with you. I learn something new about Japan every time I read a Japanese novel. Until a couple of years ago, all the Japanese novels I read were mysteries, but I have read some general fiction since then and enjoyed those too. I have several more books I want to read this year, both mysteries and general fiction.
Patti, I recently finished reading Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa and it mentioned several Japanese authors that I am unfamiliar with. I plan to look into them although I don't know if their books have been translated to English or not. Most of the books I have read (especially crime fiction) were Glen's books because he likes Japanese mysteries.
Margot, I have one more book by Matsumoto on the shelves, and there is one coming out in English translation later this year. Pro Bono is the only other one I know of, and I will look for it later in the year also.
I must admit I've read a bit (tiny) of non-fiction about Japan but, as far as I can remember, no fiction whatsoever. I need to do something about that. I notice there are books about books, and crime fiction, both of which would suit me ok.
Cath, I have enjoyed both general fiction and crime fiction from Japan. The second book I read for this challenge was Days at the Morisaki Bookshop which has a lovely story, sort of a coming of age story. I will be reading at least two more crime fiction this year, by Keigo Higashino, and two books with cat stories. And also one of the coffee shop time travel books, Tales from the Cafe.
Interesting of the two different titles and covers. Which do you like better? I sort of like Tokyo Express but the cover of the second version of the train. It seems good to get a picture of Japan post war.
Glad the second half of the book and the good ending made up for the slow beginning.
Good question, Susan. I have been going back and forth on which cover I like better. And wondering why there were different translators. The latter my have to do with rights I guess. I think I like the train station cover and the muted colors on Points and Lines better, but the cover of Tokyo Express is very striking. And Tokyo Express makes the focus of the story clearer. Both editions have small print unfortunately.
Lark, my husband read this last year and liked it better than I did. I did warm up to it towards the end. Both books had two maps of Japan and that was useful, especially since I keep forgetting that Japan is made up of islands.
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