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Upon her arrest for the brutal murder of her father, college student Kanna Hijiriyama offers little explanation, challenging authorities to uncover the motive themselves. As the media fixates on her enigmatic beauty contrasted with the crime, clinical psychologist Yuki Makabe is enlisted by Kanna's defense team to provide counsel and insight ahead of the trial. Through her sessions with Kanna and investigations into her past, Yuki peels back layers of complicated relationships involving Kanna's father, mother, and her elusive 'first love.' The narrative evolves into a gripping psychological drama and legal thriller, exposing hidden truths and inconsistencies that question the nature of guilt and innocence. Winner of the prestigious Naoki Prize and a bestseller in Japan, this novel explores themes of family, identity, and the shadows lurking beneath surface appearances.

Reviews

japaneselit.net · 2025-01-19

compelling 4.00

The novel is a compulsively readable psychological mystery that delves into the emotional baggage of its characters, teasing out reader sympathy as their complex histories unfold. The protagonist’s personal and professional challenges add depth to the story, making it a compelling character drama beyond a simple murder case.

This review focuses on the emotional and psychological complexity of the characters, particularly Yuki Makabe, a clinical psychologist navigating her own ambitions and complicated relationships while investigating a murder case. The reviewer notes that the story skillfully reveals the characters’ pasts, which elicits empathy from the reader and adds layers to the mystery. Yuki’s personal life, including her troubled history with her brother-in-law Kasho and her supportive marriage, provides a nuanced backdrop that enriches the narrative. The reviewer finds the novel engaging not only for its plot but for its exploration of human relationships and psychological depth. The interplay between professional and personal dynamics, combined with the unfolding mystery of Kanna’s motives, makes the book a strong character-driven drama that invites readers to consider the impact of past traumas on present actions.

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All of the characters bring emotional baggage to the table, and Shimamoto teases out the reader’s sympathy as each of their histories is revealed.

Although it tackles serious themes, this story is compulsively readable.

Yuki must navigate her strained relationship with Kasho, who is very charming but a bit of an asshole.

Tony's Reading List · Tony · 2025-01-16

thought-provoking 4.10

The story evolves from an apparently straightforward murder case into a complex investigation revealing multiple layers of wrongdoing and moral ambiguity. The reviewer finds the novel’s exploration of guilt and innocence nuanced, with the protagonist’s journey uncovering uncomfortable truths about those involved.

Tony finds the novel intriguing for how it complicates what initially seems like a clear-cut crime. The protagonist, Yuki, takes on the task of understanding the motive behind Kanna’s stabbing of her father, but the more she learns, the more she realizes that the situation is far from simple. The review highlights how the story challenges simplistic notions of guilt by showing that many characters have their own flaws and wrongdoings, which adds depth and realism to the narrative. Tony appreciates the gradual unfolding of the story’s complexity, which keeps the reader engaged and prompts reflection on moral ambiguity. The novel’s strength lies in its ability to move beyond a mere crime story to probe into the psychological and social factors that shape human behavior, making it a thought-provoking read.

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Even if Kanna is guilty, she’s far from the only one to have done wrong.

What initially seems like an open-and-shut case soon takes on a slightly different aspect.

The more she learns, the more she comes to believe that there’s far more to the murder than initially appeared.

Asian Review of Books · 2024-11-18

unsettling 4.25

The novel is a genre-bending story that shifts from crime thriller to romance, murder mystery, and courtroom drama, exploring complex motives behind a young woman’s alleged murder of her father. It offers a powerful and unsettling glimpse into the psychological and social dynamics of the characters, particularly focusing on themes of misogyny and the ambiguity of innocence.

This review highlights the multifaceted nature of the book, emphasizing how it defies simple categorization by blending elements of different genres to deepen the narrative. The story revolves around Kanna, a beautiful college student accused of murdering her father, and the psychologist Yuki who investigates her motives. The reviewer notes the discomfort created by the blurring of interpersonal relationships and the exploration of societal attitudes, especially misogyny, which complicate the question of Kanna’s guilt or innocence. The novel is praised for its psychological depth and its challenge to conventional ideas about crime and motive. The reviewer appreciates how the book uses the murder case as a lens to explore broader social and psychological issues, making it much more than just a straightforward thriller. The tension between public perception and private realities is a key theme, and the narrative’s shifting perspectives enrich the reader’s understanding of each character’s emotional and psychological landscape. This complexity makes the book compelling and thought-provoking, particularly in how it addresses the limitations of the concept of innocence.

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First Love is a powerful glimpse into the minds of women who have watched, faced, and recovered from abuse.

The increasing blurring of their interpersonal dynamics creates a sense of discomfort throughout the story.

The question of Kanna’s innocence (and the limitations of the word 'innocent') looms in the background.

Appears in Lists

20 Great Japanese Novels

First Love

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Appears in Lists