Yakuza Moon

Finally, i get to have my chance at the computer.

For the past 2 weeks, it was terrible. My brother had projects to finish up and i am left with no online surfing time. I feel so disconnected suddenly.

Well, I have been wanting to write my views on "Yakuzu Moon". I bought the book last December around Christmas, one of the many small gifts to myself after slogging almost the entire year. Every book review i seen online raves about how good this book is. As i am not a book fan, i decided to invest in the book after reading the nothing but fantastic reviews about it.

At first, the book sounded interesting. I keep going on hoping that it will give me some element of surprise. I was waiting for the moment of truth and after the story ended, that moment never came. It felt empty. All the expectation i have for the book, what goes on behind the notorious Japan gang, how did it impacted families of the gang members, what are the ritual and behaviour, insights, etc. But there was nothing.

Emptiness....I cannot help but feel cheated. The life story of the author just sum up to a young girl going astray, which can happen to any adolescence in any part of the world. What makes the story even more distasteful is her going astray has nothing to do with her father being a gang leader (from the story her father wanted the best for his children) but rather she herself not being strong enough to pull away from all the temptation of fun and drugs. Her self-pity after the events make me even more angry. In fact, she should feel angry at herself (making all the wrong choices in her life) rather than self-pity. I can just imagine Stevie rolling his eyes, he says i will never understand cos i am bless with good life.

I guess before i read the book, i have too high expectation. Firstly, there were so many good reviews about it. Second, i was comparing it with "Memoirs of a Geisha" (which have much more insight on a Geisha's life). Lastly, I keep thinking the author is forced into such a bad situation because she was born into her bad family and had no choice (which apparently she had many choices but due to her bad decision judgement, she ended up in such a sorry state).

Overall, the book is alright if it is just for pleasure reading. If you are hoping the book to reveal the mysteries of the Japan gang, there is minimal information provided.