Ryū Murakami’s  Audition is a short novel easily read in one or two sittings – and in turn can be forgetten just as quickly; ultimately, the book consists of a drawn out and relatelively uneventful buildup to a sudden and quick climax that is over  as soon as it starts. I’ll be honest American horror novels we’re putting me to sleep, not the effect I think the writer’s we’re going for. I picked up The Audition because I wanted to delve into Japanese horror/thriller novels post Battle Royale (if you don’t know what Battle Royale is, I suggest you know now.).The Audition failed to achieve much horror, but I lowkey believe translation hindered the effect of the novel.

Audition follows Aoyama, a middle-aged widower of seven years, urged by his teenage son to remarry; Also urged by his best friend, Yoshikawa, with whom Aoyama produced documentaries for Tokyo television. Yoshikawa convinces Aoyama to hold auditions  under the guise of looking for leading actresses, but in reality to find a suitable wife for Aoyama. Although initially reluctant, Aoyama ultimately gives in – and when he sees one of the candidates, the 24 year old Yamasaki Asami, he is completely smitten; he cannot get over the instantaneous attract and decides to pursue her.

What follow is a slow burn romance between the older Aoyama and noteably younger Asami. Even though Aoyama isn’t entirely the model husband as he admitted to cheating mutilpe times, he was still likeable enough for the reader to feel bad for the fate he might meet. He ultimately emerges as a likable figure: a widower who reminisces about the “old days” and women he knew then; he was was married for a long time, and feels no connection to or interest in most women he encounters, being able to see them only through the lens of his wife. He obviously loves his son, Shige, and cares for their dog. Although Aoyama is fascinated by Asami shown clearly to border and even cross into obsession, he also obviously genuinely cares about her, and wants to make her his wife.

Knowing this story leads to horror, all that is left is wait for the shockingly beautiful Asami to turn into the psycotic person she is. However, its like a straight line of uneventful with a light sprinkle of hints only to lead of to a jump scare. I just don’t understand why it was so rushed. And what was presented was basic gore for shock value.The final pages literally turn the novel around on its head purely for the sake of doing so, making a sympathetic character completely repulsive for no reason ; the ending sections are well written, but just don’t fit as a part of a coherent whole. Audition  was adapted into a film which  became a cult classic,but honestly I belief you reading the book is faster than the movie. The book is too short and to underdeveloped which is the scary part. Mark this down ladies and gents: film adaption finally beats the book.