This morning I've just finished the last pages of this book.Not quite as I expected, but enough to embed something in my mind.
'Spiral' is a sequel of 'Ring' by Koji Suzuki. A modern kind of horror. Scientific details about genes, virus, DNA, autopsy, hermaphrodite and so. A new approach to 'ghost stories': no actual transparent ghosts haunting here and there, no blood, no fighting with monsters in abandoned houses... Just fear. Some fear you cannot explain. Some fear that rises in every corner of your body. Your heart. And your mind.
It is a battle with time, and with something you don't know. You can't see it. You can't touch it. You can't smell it. But you can 'sense' it. You know some 'thing' is there. Some 'thing' behind you that makes you too stiffened to turn your head.
But even with death awaiting, people are always desperately curious about things they don't know. Secrets are always the dangerous charms. They lure our hearts. They pique our fantasies. They challenge our knowledge.
But what makes a secret so attractive is that it is a secret. When revealed, things always turn out 2 ways:
1- Boring, boring,boring.
Or
2-Something no one ever WANTS to know.
Curiosity leads to discoveries and innovations. But curiosity also leads to hazard.
Sometimes it's intelligent to stay ignorant. Sometimes it's brave to stay a coward.
'Think you know fear? Think again.'
'Ring' and 'Spiral' - a chance to know more about the real 'you'.
Recommended especially to those with interest in Biology.
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When I first read 'Ring', I had no impression about the main character Asakawa. He made undeniably great efforts to solve the 'ring' puzzle, but after all, he was just a normal person rushing to save his own life and family. Everyone in his situation would do exactly the same. No big deal.
But Ryuji, Asakawa's partner on the way to fight death, was certainly 'something'. Destiny didn't choose him, but he chose destiny. He decided to watch the killer tape to not only to help his old friend, but also to put an interesting challenge to the boring life. During their fight with the 'thing' from the other world, Ryuji never panicked, always he stayed calm and cool for a clear overlook of the puzzle. Even when he had died, from the grave he still managed to help his dear friend to save his family. No fear, no envy, Ryuji was characterized with terrific bravery and intelligence, hiding his true warm fragile heart until his very last moments - the hero of 'Ring'.
The most disappointing thing about 'Spiral', to me, is that it completely smashed that heroic image. Ryuji in 'Spiral' became an evil spirit, from the grave he pulled the strings controlling everyone along, including Sadako the ghost. With unimaginalble intelligence, Ryuji pre-calculate every step those living people would take, using even his dearest ones to fulfill his wish: to revenge and to come back. Playing fool of everyone, Ryuji emerged as a cruel devil - whose brain was no longer to praise but to disgust.
When I read 'Ring', I cried when Ryuji died.
And when I read 'Spiral', once again I cried when Ryuji gained his rebirth.
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I am writing these lines when sitting in front of a large mirror.
and somehow I feel that someone - something - is behind me.
watching me.
and I can feel it.
though I could see nothing in the mirror...
)
