I started reading the Japanese cult-classic Battle Royale by Koushun Takami yesterday and today I haven't been able to put it down. Put on a island by the corrupt futuristic Japanese government, a third-year junior high school class is forced to play the game called "The Program" and kill each other until only one is left alive. The book has been described as "a Lord of the Flies for the 21st century."
And talk about suspense! Each chapter ends with a countdown of the number of kids left alive. After awhile the "39 Students Remaining" and "24 Students Remaining" really ups the ante, considering the book starts out with "42 Students Remaining."
I also don't believe I've ever read a book with quite such gory and descriptive death scenes. Nothing like a hatchet to the face to get your readers to pay attention.
Both fortunately and unfortunately (considering the probability of happiness set up by the plot) I've already become particularly interested in the character Shugo, who seems to be the only one who knows what he's doing. However, I'm intensely curious to find out if he can be trusted in a game where the first rule is to trust no one.
Only the next chapter will tell.
