Tokyo Noir

by Jake Adelstein
Tokyo Noir cover
Good Books rating 4.0
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Waterstones
Paperback • £10.99
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  • ID: 2757
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
linkedin.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
engaging 4.50

Tokyo Noir is a gripping and authentic dive into the underbelly of Tokyo, blending real-life crime with compelling storytelling. The book's raw and unfiltered portrayal of the city's darker side makes it a standout in the noir genre.

Tokyo Noir offers a unique and chilling glimpse into the criminal underworld of Tokyo. The author's firsthand experiences as a journalist provide an authenticity that is hard to find in other crime novels. The stories are gritty and unapologetic, capturing the essence of Tokyo's noir side. While the pacing can be uneven at times, the overall impact is powerful and unforgettable. The book's exploration of crime, corruption, and the human condition makes it a must-read for fans of the genre. The author's writing style is engaging and immersive, drawing the reader into a world that is both fascinating and disturbing.

Quick quotes

    The book is a masterclass in crime writing, blending real-life events with a novelist's flair.

    The stories are raw and unfiltered, offering a unique perspective on Tokyo's underbelly.

    The author's firsthand experiences add a layer of authenticity that is hard to find in other crime novels.

sobrief.com · Unknown · 2025-04-17
mixed 3.50

Paul Theroux's 'Dark Star Safari' offers a mix of brilliant observations and exhausting critiques of Africa, with his meditations on aging and personal growth providing a redeeming depth to the narrative. The book oscillates between vivid descriptions of African landscapes and people, and Theroux's disillusionment with the continent's struggles, ultimately finding value in the stories and patience of its inhabitants.

Paul Theroux's 'Dark Star Safari' is a journey that captures both the beauty and the harsh realities of Africa. The book is filled with moments of brilliance, such as Theroux's encounters with locals and his vivid descriptions of the continent's diverse landscapes. However, his critiques of Africa's struggles with corruption, inefficiency, and the impact of Western aid can become exhausting. The reviewer notes that Theroux's writing sometimes takes on a hectoring tone, which detracts from the overall narrative. Yet, the book is saved by Theroux's meditations on aging and his ability to find meaning in the stories of the people he meets. His patience and respect for the Africans he encounters add a layer of depth to the book, making it a compelling read despite its flaws.

Quick quotes

    Theroux could have cut himself off just as well in Switzerland. Africans, already on the margins of the world's attention, don't want to disappear any further.

    And where Theroux sees Africa uncluttered by preconceived notions, his writing can be brilliant.

    Ultimately, though, what saves 'Dark Star Safari' from being a long gasp of disillusion, is his meditations on aging.

publishersweekly.com · Unknown · 2024-08-26
intriguing 4.00

Dark Star Safari offers a vivid and detailed account of Paul Theroux's journey through Africa, highlighting the continent's urban suffering and the aftermath of colonialism. The reviewer appreciates Theroux's exploration but notes the absence of African perspectives and moments of joy.

Dark Star Safari by Paul Theroux is a comprehensive travelogue that takes readers on an overland journey from Cairo to Cape Town. The book provides a stark and detailed look at the urban suffering and the lingering effects of colonialism in Africa. Theroux's mature writing style and adventurous spirit are evident as he navigates through various cities and encounters the harsh realities of life in these regions. The reviewer finds the book to be a titanic effort of exploration and testimony, offering a vivid portrayal of the continent's struggles. However, the reviewer also points out that the book lacks a concerted attempt to see Africa from the perspective of its inhabitants, particularly the urban poor. There are no instances of happiness or joy depicted, which leaves the reviewer curious about the other side of African life. Despite this, the book is seen as a major achievement in travel writing, providing an unflinching look at the challenges faced by the continent.

Quick quotes

    Theroux takes us into the streets and shops, the eating places, the private homes, the shanties, the schools, the government buildings, the workplaces, the bus stations and shows us how people live.

    The experiences he recounts are detailed, vivid.

    What’s missing here is a concerted attempt to see Africa from the point of view of people who live there.

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