It is extremely difficult to convey the range of emotions evoked in words, once you've finished this masterpiece - Kirino is simply astounding, beyond words.
It looks like a simple enough plot at first glance - in a fit of rage, a staid Japanese housewife working the night-shift at a lunchbox factory murders her husband in a fit of rage at his emotional and physical abuse. She approaches her dependable co-worker for help, who ropes in two of their mutual acquaintances for disposing the body. They are determined, but inexperienced - and the detectives and yakuza (the Japanese mob) is baying for blood.
But what blew my mind away is the sheer twists this story takes, with the narrative taking you along for a roller-coaster ride that you never want to end. As far as characters go, they are so developed, that they almost seem to protrude through the pages. Masako, the aforementioned dependable co-worker who is approached for help, is so brilliantly written that you sometimes feel that she is based on a real woman, somewhere out there in the Japanese suburbs.
The pacing, characters, narrative - all of it is perfectly blended. And the plot elements, uncommon in Japanese fiction (assault, murder, prostitution) enhance the narrative rather than detracting from it. It is exhilarating from start to finish, and should not be missed - every word written in praise for it will be a disservice. Natsuo Kirino's tour de force will haunt me for a long, long time to come. ( )

In the beginning, I thought the book was going to drag, but very quickly the plot thickened as the characters developed and their situations collided. A very good story, very appropriate ending. ( )

I don't think I have ever read a book quite like this one. I really enjoyed it. I read this book back when I was in my 20's. So that was 15 years or so ago. At the time of reading I like that the characters were what felt to me like strong women who were trying to live. I had related to no feeling seen, heard or wanted. The darkness of the book intrigued me. It was different from the books I had typically read.
With all of that being said, I wonder if I was to read it again if i would feel the same way. I have read other reviews from readers about the book and one that stood out was the fat phobia. I remember that in the book and at the time of reading it wasn't a huge issue for me. There was other things in the book that too could be problematic. I wonder now that i have had years of growth and figured out myself better if i would see the book in a different light? ( )

Wow. What a rollercoaster Lots of twists. Lots of blood. Strong women. ( )

I wasn't sure why this book is titled "Out" until a reviewer here enlightened me. The four women in the plot are all seeking a way out of their circumstances. Willingly or unwillingly, only by participating in such gruesome acts as murder or disposal of bodies, do they have a plausible way out of their loneliness or poverty. What they ended up doing is out of the world but their loneliness and feelings of being trapped must speak to us all. ( )