Helpful Score: 3
A poorly written, or translation, of a young woman's memoirs of being a gangster's daughter. And I'm not giving you any spoilers, but this is back to back abuse, drugs, poor choices, then... abuse, drugs, and more poor choices.
This book was heart breaking in its continuing themes of physical abuse, drug addiction & prostitution. To be honest, I was expecting more insight into the Yakuza itself. But Shoko's story is an interesting one, especially in the way she finally turns her life around after so much chaos, despair & loss. This is a quick memoir & a tiny little peek into the Japanese Mafia's way of life.
Elizabeth R. (esjro) -
This is a weird book. The title, cover, and description implies that it will give insight into the Yakuza, but it really does not. That being said, Shoko Tendo's memoir of abuse, addiction, and lots of violence (she gets beat up a lot) is a jaw-dropping story told in brisk prose. But the reader will not learn more than very basic info about the Yakuza by reading this book. As a memoir I would give it 4 out of 5 stars, but as a book about the Yakuza I would only give it 1.5.
