Rating: 
Summary: A great Cerebral Horror Tale....
Review: For those of you whom have only seen the American film, or maybe you haven't seen it, I suggest watching that, then the Japanese film(s), and then coming to this book. My reasoning for this is, that way you will NOT scrutinise the films for what they change or don't keep, ect, but take them as they are, because after you read this, you will be curious, and want to read them anyway. :)
I was a little leary of reading this book to tell youthe truth, I'm not sure, but I didn't think it would be something I'd like. I mean sure, I LOVED the movies, but I knew that this was different, of course the basica plot is the same: A person unravels a mystery surrounding a video tape that kills you. However, in this, it is a married man with a 1yr baby girl whom discovers the tape, Asakawa. The reason he gets involved is basically the same, but the tape is new in this, it has just been created. And rather then playing on innate nature to lean towards nuturing out curiosities, it plays more on how the tape is like a virus, and how its spreads. It also is very interesting in that it takes many turns that the movies would not dare to take, as the films tread more on the common and cliched, the books take on new territory. They take old ideas and make them anew.
Ring is the first book in what is sure to be an amazing trilogy(Only Ring and Spiral are out right now.). I would reccomend this book, and the second one "Spiral", to anyone whom is curious. You undoubtedly like this book if you like psycological/supernatural thrillers or just like a plain ol' good book.!
God Bless & Love ~Amy
Rating:
Summary: Video Killed the Radiant Stars?
Review: After being reminded by my daughter a couple of times that it had almost been a week since she saw "The Ring" at a friend's house, and that its effect would soon be evident, I decided to skip the in all likelihood watered down film versions and get the original book. While it failed to scare me, I greatly enjoyed this well-plotted mystery novel, that is very effective in allowing a leap of fate in the supernatural and provides a blend of Michael Creighton and Stephen King at the top of their game.
Based on the notoriety that this book received thanks to the movies and because of the details provided by the previous reviewers, I will skip most of the story details. The book centers on a Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson type quest to defuse a ticking time bomb. Similarly to Takagi's "Tattoo Murder Mystery" the writer chooses the smart guy to figure out the well developed clues with the clock ticking.
With a more than workable knowledge of viruses Suzuki really deserves credit for keeping the reader fully engaged in jumping between the worlds of fact and fiction. This jumping is clearly helped by the writer's knowledge of psychology and philosophy and last, but not least by the highly effective writing style. While I agree with some other reviewers on the regular clumsiness of the translation, it only rare occasions detracts from the accelerating flow of the novel.
While it failed to scare me -to quote Bruce Willis in "The Last Boy Scout": "Wanna scare me? Play some rap music", - I considered this a highly engaging, intelligently plotted mystery novel.
There are two more novels in this series and one additional volume of short stories.
Subarashi desu ne!
Rating:
Summary: Terrifying Imagery in a Superb Translation!
Review: After seeing "The Ring" and "Ringu" (and becoming a huge fan of both, namely "The Ring,") I watched the credits and saw that the films were based on the novel "Ring" by Koji Suzuki. Well, naturally I just had to get a copy of it--in English. This book is one of those "can't-put-it-down-for-more-than-a-few-hours-at-a-time-til-it's-over" kind of books. It's scary, it's chilling, it's a mystery and a glimpse into Japanese society and paranormal psychology (written in such a way that it's also extremely descriptive and easy for anyone to understand.) The book is quite similar to "Ringu" but infinitely better; the video is so intriguing and creepy that you'll want to read its tale rather than simply rely on your past viewing of "Ringu." It's very different and much longer and scarier. Picturing it in your mind, with all the horrifying descriptions of the cabin in which Asakawa watches it, is downright chilling! Particularly at night. Alone. The video in this book ranks up near "The Ring" for fright quotient, but it's impossible to compare the two because they're so utterly different. The book makes many things clear that people may have been 'iffy' about after seeing the movie. Flies are mentioned but not seen in the video. It's not hard to see how "Ring" and "The Ring" are connected, even though "The Ring" is American and therefore deals with horses and other things not yet connected with the 'cursed video' concept when Suzuki wrote the novel. What I'm trying to say is, it's a terrific book. It'll scare your pants off so make sure you're wearing underwear.
Rating:
Summary: A great read!
Review: After seeing both Ringu and The Ring, I had to read the novel that inspired it all. It's the same basic story from the movies: people watch a strange video and die exactley seven days later. The beginning of the book should be familiar to those who have seen the movies. However, as the story continues, it proves to be very different from either film. It's intricate, creepy, mysterious, captivating and often quite disturbing. The translation is very smooth despite what you may have heard and it was an easy read. It's such a great modern horror tale that's written so well, you'd think it could actually happen. If you've seen the film, read the book to see where it all started. Can't wait for the next book in the trilogy: SPIRAL
Rating:
Summary: Good entertainment
Review: Although the quality of the prose in this English translation is not exactly sterling, I would point out that the prose of the Japanese original (which I have also read and compared against this translation) is nothing to crow about, either; if anything, the translators were a little too faithful to Suzuki's Japanese, with all of its failings. That said, reading a book like this in search of fine literary prose is a bit like looking for love in a whorehouse. What this book promises, and delivers in spades, is horror and thrills. That is the purpose of the genre, and this book achieves the demands of the genre in fine form, with a premise that is highly original and narrative development that is genuinely chilling. My opinion is that this is a strong, 4-star book (knock one star off for the clunky writing), but I'm giving it 5 stars here to compensate for the silly and unfair carping of previous reviewers.
Rating:
Summary: Added Substance to the Well-Known Plot
Review: Being a big fan of both "Ringu" and its American remake "The Ring," I was intrigued to read the book that started it all. As one might suspect, much of the plot will be very similar to those who have seen one or both of the films. However, the book does hold a few of it's own surprises. Asakawa is a reporter who unintentionally comes across a story while taking a cab home from work. The cabdriver is explaining how a young man died on the street one day right next to his car. The day and time he notes that the event took place is the same day and time that Asakawa's niece died. Both deaths were described as sudden heart failure. Odd coincidence? Further digging reveals that two other young adults died the same night, at approximately the same time, from the same strange unknown cause. Asakawa's investigation leads him to a resort in the woods, where he discovers and watches the infamous mysterious videotape with the odd, surreal images. Asakawa enlists the aid of his friend Ryuji, a philosophy professor, to help him solve the riddle and save his life. Together they are in a race against time to survive an ill fate. The two gradually peel away layers of a distant past, and a child named Sadako who was known to have psychic powers. What is Sadako's wish? What is the ultimate purpose of her tape? Will Ryuji and Asakawa discover the truth in time to save themselves? Some of the differences between the book and the movies are small, such as the fact that the main character in both films was female while the reporter and main character in the book is a male. In addition, the age difference between the reporter's child in both films was slightly older than the child in the book. However, there are some major differences as well. I loved the differences in the plot surrounding Sadako and her mother, as well as the video Sadako mentally produced. The process of discovery varies immensely as well in the book, and for the better in my opinion. The book did a wonderful job of keeping the tension level high as Ryuji and Asakawa painstakingly researched every tidbit of information they could ascertain from the videotape. Every aspect every step of the way is described with great detail and in a way that is easily understood by the reader. The author never asks the reader to take any great logical leaps. Yet another big difference is the way that the deaths of Sadako's victims are described. Clearly the directors of both versions of the film took a great deal of artistic liberty in this area, which is what was needed in order to make this book into a scarier film. Don't get me wrong, the story is still quite intense and even scary. However, it is quite different in the form of text. Suzuki focuses on the thrills and the detective-like inquiry rather than the in-your-face horror and vividly gory description that might have detracted from the plot. Furthermore, the bond between Ryuji and Asakawa and their clashing personalities are expertly described and make for an intriguing side-plot. Overall this is a great book that any fan of the movies, or even horror or suspense in general, should definitely read. Koji Suzuki gives the reader a slightly different and highly unique spin on the well-known films that should not be over-looked. I most definitely look forward to reading "Spiral" and "Loop" next!
Rating:
Summary: Added Substance to the Well-Known Plot
Review: Being a big fan of both "Ringu" and its American remake "The Ring," I was intrigued to read the book that started it all. As one might suspect, much of the plot will be very similar to those who have seen one or both of the films. However, the book does hold a few of it's own surprises. Asakawa is a reporter who unintentionally comes across a story while taking a cab home from work. The cabdriver is explaining how a young man died on the street one day right next to his car. The day and time he notes that the event took place is the same day and time that Asakawa's niece died. Both deaths were described as sudden heart failure. Odd coincidence? Further digging reveals that two other young adults died the same night, at approximately the same time, from the same strange unknown cause. Asakawa's investigation leads him to a resort in the woods, where he discovers and watches the infamous mysterious videotape with the odd, surreal images. Asakawa enlists the aid of his friend Ryuji, a philosophy professor, to help him solve the riddle and save his life. Together they are in a race against time to survive an ill fate. The two gradually peel away layers of a distant past, and a child named Sadako who was known to have psychic powers. What is Sadako's wish? What is the ultimate purpose of her tape? Will Ryuji and Asakawa discover the truth in time to save themselves? Some of the differences between the book and the movies are small, such as the fact that the main character in both films was female while the reporter and main character in the book is a male. In addition, the age difference between the reporter's child in both films was slightly older than the child in the book. However, there are some major differences as well. I loved the differences in the plot surrounding Sadako and her mother, as well as the video Sadako mentally produced. The process of discovery varies immensely as well in the book, and for the better in my opinion. The book did a wonderful job of keeping the tension level high as Ryuji and Asakawa painstakingly researched every tidbit of information they could ascertain from the videotape. Every aspect every step of the way is described with great detail and in a way that is easily understood by the reader. The author never asks the reader to take any great logical leaps. Yet another big difference is the way that the deaths of Sadako's victims are described. Clearly the directors of both versions of the film took a great deal of artistic liberty in this area, which is what was needed in order to make this book into a scarier film. Don't get me wrong, the story is still quite intense and even scary. However, it is quite different in the form of text. Suzuki focuses on the thrills and the detective-like inquiry rather than the in-your-face horror and vividly gory description that might have detracted from the plot. Furthermore, the bond between Ryuji and Asakawa and their clashing personalities are expertly described and make for an intriguing side-plot. Overall this is a great book that any fan of the movies, or even horror or suspense in general, should definitely read. Koji Suzuki gives the reader a slightly different and highly unique spin on the well-known films that should not be over-looked. I most definitely look forward to reading "Spiral" and "Loop" next!
Rating: 
Summary: Score the Book Before the Movie
Review: Definitely try to read the book before seeing the American version of the film (haven't seen Ringu yet, won't comment). I don't know if I would have enjoyed the story more if I didn't know how it ended, but I think it would have made a difference.
Otherwise it's a fun book. It's honestly fun to read which not many books are. Asakawa's a fairly weak character though. He drives very little of the story. Ryuji has to explain everything to Asakawa and Ryuji makes all the decisions. Ryuji's definitely the Dues ex Machina. Asakawa doesn't even figure out the final mystery. Ryuji does that for him. This detracts from the story in general because the character the narrative's most closely tied to is Asakawa. We follow him and his discoveries. So, as a reader, we don't get to stumble across each clue or go through the analytical process of adding them all up. Ryuji makes all the discoveries, makes all the connections and then tells Asakawa and the reader about them.
The story got under my skin despite my issues with the characters. I started getting creeped out from the first chapter. I certainly enjoyed it. I read it in two nights. I wish the rest of the trilogy (this is the first volume) were translated and available. I want to know where it goes from here.
Rating:
Summary: NOT a bad translation....
Review: Don't believe the reviews stating that this is a bad translation. I have no idea which book the "Comically Incomprehensible" review is about, but it's not about "Ring." I do admit that some things read a bit odd due to the differences in language, but this is never a problem and pretty rare. Think about it. The publisher already has the rights to the other books in the series. There's money to be made here. Why would they ruin that with a terrible translation of the first one? If you're tired of the now common books of writers like King and Koontz, pick this up. It is different than both the Japanese and American movies, but still an interesting, different read!
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book; don't expect Ringu/The Ring duplicate
Review: First of all I want to start by saying I decided to read this book for my Grade Nine ISP this year. Anyways, as my title suggests, this is technically Ringu/The Ring, but at the same time it is not. Let me start by ruining your hopeful dreams by saying that NO ONE COMES OUT OF TVs. Not Sadako, not Samara. No one comes out of TVs. If you REALLY want to know how they die I will read a passage from the book during Ryujii's death: "His head suddently became unbearably itchy. He put his hand to his head and scratched furiously, and felt several starnds of hair come out. On the second ring, [* Ryujii is calling Mai to ask for something; book doesn't explain exactly WHAT it is he wants] Ryujii lifted his face. The was a horizontal mirror on the chest of drawers in front of him, and he could see his face reflected in it. Forgetting that he had the phone wedged between his shoulder and his head, he brought his face in close to the mirror. The reciever fell, but he didn't care; he just stared at his face in the mirror. The cheeks were yellowish, dried and craked, hair was falling out in clumps to reveal brown scabs"
Page 264
In my opinion the book is more about infectious diseases and society in itself. At the end of the book Asakawa asks if he should risk saving his wife and daughter, spreading the tape to ultimatly cause the end of many, many lives (Asakawa says something like "by the time 6 months have come, everyone in Japan will have seen it and will spread to across the ocean. People will be mistaken and show a copy of the tape to two people or more; some might accidently show the tape to someone who has seen the tape and die in the end"). This is one of the few books I have read in a while that actually made me THINK. And I don't like thinking.
I believe it is an EXCELLENT book but do not purchuse this novel believing you will get a bigger scare than the movie.
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