What we lost in translation is found in revenge.

A very interesting book that explores many aspects of human nature, and the meaning of serving within an organization or a society that demands subservience to superiors and devalues individuality, topics that are expressed sometimes with great eloquence others with mixed success because of the demands of the story line.

The main character is bullied and ostracised in a manner that I think most western organizations would not tolerate, he is always conflicted with his duty and his personal needs and putting those needs in the background for the greater good, for a second we see him strive for a modicum of individuality but is soon stifled and put in his place.

The thriller part of the story is well developed and very interesting but stretched out for too long because of the existential angst of the main character.

A good police story with a clouded moral message that I think was lost in translation.

The reading is given in a monotone that is a bit disconcerting given all the passions in the story.

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6 people found this helpful

In need of a serious edit

I only just got through this. At 24 hours this book is way too long. I listened to it on double speed just to get to the end. There is the possibility of a good story in here somewhere, if you removed all of the stuff about press relations and just focused on the historical kidnapping and the main policeman's missing daughter, it would be much better.

I liked the narrator's clipped style. I think it's suited the Japanese translation. but he goes too slowly, at 1.5 times speed. it sounds as quick as most normal narrators.

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Disappointed...

Had looked forward to something different but found it to be a relatively slow and sometimes confusing 'political' study rather than a 'crime thriller'. Perhaps something was lost in translation but...

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2 people found this helpful

Wow

If you could sum up Six Four in three words, what would they be?

Slow fast awesome

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mikami, whose decency and honour shone

What about Richard Burnip’s performance did you like?

Laboured

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I felt happier at the end

Any additional comments?

It's dreadfully slow and I nearly gave up, but if you can hang on through the relentless tedium in the first half, the story is suddenly intriguing and then more stuff happens and I found it hypnotic. I'm so glad I stuck with it.

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3 people found this helpful

AWFUL narrator!

I think the story’s good - but I’m only an hour and a half in and I can’t stand the narrator’s stilted, pompous voice. Such a shame!

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Poor Narrator choice

I’m sure the book had potential, but the narrator made for an unbearable listen. His accent and cadence did not suit the story

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Good story

Six Four is a good story, I found the narration a bit harder to deal with not bad but it took 2/3 of the book to see the voice fitting with the story.
Don’t let this put you off it builds well and is a worthy listen

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23 hours of my life I will never get back.

Without doubt a unexpected twist 4/5ths of the way into the book. But reeaaaallly, it was a long trudge to get to that point.
I feel I know more about office politics in the Japanese police force than I do about my own. The detail is frankly over detailed. It's a dense and at times soporific book that has extensive sub plots that are over long and contribute only a nub to the overall tale. The writing style is lacey with almost fractal detail. It felt at times like a screenplay with set notes.
Overall - a great story, but literally spoilt by the effort to put granular detail and emotion into the cast.
Unless you've got a lot of spare time, I'd skip it or listen to the abridged version.

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Interesting, different detective novel.

Performance is not the best and my god does it take a long time to get in two but the eventual reveal will be worth it for most. Nice contrast to western mystery novels.

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Couldn't finish

I couldn't finish this I'm ashamed to say. Could be the cultural differences but I found it hard to get into the mindset and get emotionally involved with the characters. I got really fed up of the political stuff as it felt very repetitive. I also struggled with keeping track of who was who, however that could easily be down to the fact that I am unfamiliar with the style of names.

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3 people found this helpful