[REVIEW] Confessions

title: Confessions (告白 / Kokuhaku)
author: Kanae Minato, Stephen Snyder (Translator)
genre: adult, thriller
published: August 19th 2014 by Mulholland Books (first published August 5th 2008)
my copy: Paperback, First English language edition, 235 pages
purchase: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
rating: 5 / 5 stars
goodreads

HER PUPILS KILLED HER DAUGHTER.
NOW, SHE WILL HAVE HER REVENGE. 

After calling off her engagement in wake of a tragic revelation, Yuko Moriguchi had nothing to live for except her only child, four-year-old Manami. Now, following an accident on the grounds of the middle school where she teaches, Yuko has given up and tendered her resignation. 

But first she has one last lecture to deliver. She tells a story that upends everything her students ever thought they knew about two of their peers, and sets in motion a maniacal plot for revenge. 

Narrated in alternating voices, with twists you'll never see coming, Confessions explores the limits of punishment, despair, and tragic love, culminating in a harrowing confrontation between teacher and student that will place the occupants of an entire school in danger. You'll never look at a classroom the same way again. 

highly intriguing and horrifying.

I've been hoping to read this and last year's #Burtontober pushed me to finally pick it up.

Confessions is about the revenge of middle school teacher and single mother, Yuko Moriguchi, for the death of her child. During her last day as a teacher, she tells the class the full story of the death of her child and explained her revenge. The novel covers the results of the said revenge and it is not pretty.

I want you to believe that somewhere in this wide world there is a place for you, a safe haven.  -p161

What's notable about this book is how well it is written. It is told in different points of view per chapter and I LOVE how unique each narration is and how their voice shows the overall story. I am horrified by some of the things that went on and I like how the paranoia of the students is written. I was so invested on that and see that as a HUGE impact in the story as a whole.

I feel that the writing itself made a huge role in making your feel like you are the narrator. Because you read through their voice, you know what happened, and you know their personality. You will completely understand why they are doing the things they are doing. And I am in love with how this was all presented! It's immersive (if that's even a good description for a psychological novel)!

I realized that revenge was never going to wash away what had happened, never going to make me stop hating you with every ounce of my being. -p226

OVERALL, Confessions is a well-written psychological thriller/drama that thrives on the fear of the characters, their paranoia, their personality, and their overall outlook in life. It's a quick 235 pages read that would really make you read nonstop. It's intriguing and horrifying and it is so well wrapped up. Also, the movie was good (until the last part. cancel the last couple of minutes there. lol.).

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