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Kanae Minato
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Confessions Kindle Edition

by Kanae Minato (Author), Stephen Snyder (Translator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 4,680 ratings
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In this international bestselling thriller, a former teacher delivers her final lesson to her students—including the two children that murdered her daughter.

After calling off her engagement in the wake of a tragic revelation, Yuko Moriguchi had nothing to live for except her only child, four-year-old child, 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 diabolical plot for revenge.

Narrated in alternating voices, with twists you'll never see coming, Confessions probes 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.
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  1. Print length
    210 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Mulholland Books
  4. Publication date
    August 19, 2014
  5. File size
    941 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Popular Highlights in this book
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  1. It’s much easier to condemn people who do the wrong thing than it is to do the right thing yourself.
    Highlighted by 619 Kindle readers
  2. I think we regular people may have forgotten a basic truth—we don’t really have the right to judge anyone else.
    Highlighted by 435 Kindle readers
  3. It was too painful to realize that the one person in the world I loved was suffering by the very fact of my existence.
    Highlighted by 359 Kindle readers
  4. Human beings have a fundamental need for physical and emotional space, and the desire to extinguish another life can arise when the boundaries of that space are violated.
    Highlighted by 358 Kindle readers
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From the brand

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Kanae Minato is a brilliant storyteller, and CONFESSIONS is a superb and haunting work. As Minato expertly shifts the perspective from one character to the next, each change in perspective lends a startling new dimension to a gripping and profoundly unsettling tale. It's a novel I'll think about for a very long time."―Emily St. John Mandel, New York Times bestselling author of Station Eleven

"Captivating...as the murders grow bloodier and bloodier, the characters more and more twisted, we find ourselves fascinated and repulsed, unable to look away...CONFESSIONS undercuts prejudices with force and ferocity."―Becca Rothfield, New Republic

PRAISE FOR CONFESSIONS
- Winner of the ALA's 2015 Alex Award for the Best Adult Books That Appeal to Teen Audiences- Nominated for the 2014 Shirley Jackson Award for Best Novel- One of Booklist's Best Crime Novels of the Year
"Far deeper and larger, though no less entertaining, than expected. A nasty little masterpiece...that rare creature in fiction: an ambitious exploration into the darkest corners of human nature ... that is also a crackling good yarn ... Resistance to the novel's narrative momentum is futile; I read it in a single sitting ... Along the way I learned much--more, if truth be told, than I felt emotionally prepared to learn--about the damage inflicted by adults upon children, and the ways in which the young sometimes return it in kind, twisted and magnified... Books like Confessions can make you vibrate with happiness."―Kevin Nance, Chicago Tribune

"CONFESSIONS is a dark, disturbing tale that twists and turns on itself like an Escher print. Just when you think you know where this thriller is going, Kanae Minato throws back the curtain to reveal another face to the mystery. A Lord of the Flies for the modern world, Minato mines the dark specter of youth, while simultaneously demonstrating some of the deeper perils of our global culture."―Jenny Milchman, Mary Higgins Clark Award-winning author of Cover of Snow

"A Japanese Gone Girl...Confessions will drop your jaw right to the floor. The most delightfully evil book you'll read this year. A gut-wrenching thrill-ride with clean, high-impact language."―Steph Cha, Los Angeles Times

"It's time to unretire all of those back-of-the-book words that lost their meaning over the years-unputdownable, riveting, searing. CONFESSIONS is some uncanny kind of tour de force, and everyone should read it."―Charles Finch, Agatha Award-nominated author of The September Society and The Last Enchantments

"Don't be fooled by the hypnotic beauty of Kanae Minato's prose. As the characters in CONFESSIONS are stripped of their secrets, the novel reveals its audacious dark heart. A pitch-perfect, riveting read."―Hilary Davidson, Anthony Award-winning author of The Damage Done and Evil in All Its Disguises

"Brilliantly original and chilling."―David Morrell, New York Times bestselling author of Murder as a Fine Art

"A chilling and effective psychological thriller...a reader is almost certain to be caught off guard more than once... Implacable, relentless and stunning."―Tom Nolan, Wall Street Journal

"This compulsively readable novel is dark, disturbing, and deceptive. . . . The writing in Confessions is sharp and fast-paced and the impact of each chapter ratchets up the tension."―Laura Eggertson, Toronto Star

About the Author

Kanae Minato is a former home economics teacher and housewife who wrote Confessions, her first novel, between household chores. The book has sold more than three million copies in Japan, where it won several literary awards, including the Radio Drama Award, the Detective Novel Prize for New Writers, and the National Booksellers' Award, and was adapted into an Oscar short-listed film directed by Tetsuya Nakashima. Minato lives in Japan.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00H25FC72
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mulholland Books (August 19, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 19, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 941 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 210 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 4,680 ratings

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Kanae Minato

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Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4,680 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the plot intriguing and suspenseful. They describe the book as a great, fun read with well-written and engaging writing style. Readers appreciate the complex and chilling characters. The style is described as original, unique, and clever. The pacing keeps customers hooked from start to finish.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
Twists and turnsReadabilityWriting qualityCharacter developmentStylePacingPaceDark tone
113 customers mention "Twists and turns"91 positive22 negative

Customers enjoy the book's twists and turns. They find the plot interesting, suspenseful, and fast-paced. The reveals toward the end are juicy and keep them intrigued to keep reading. While the premise is simple, it manages to take unexpected turns.

"This book looks at a murder from many perspectives. Well written, interesting, and thought invoking. I would recommend this read!" Read more

"Somewhat of a slow start, but then became quite intriguing. Interesting to see the simultaneous mindsets at work. I can recommend." Read more

"...I would recommend. There is a great deal of insight." Read more

"...it would be perfect for a book club due to its talking points and the multiple perspectives you get on the same situation...." Read more

81 customers mention "Readability"76 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it a fun and engaging read with an intriguing ending. The plot flows smoothly and is well-crafted with clever twists and turns. Many readers consider it a perfect book for book clubs due to its talking points and multiple perspectives.

"I enjoyed the book. I skipped some as the story was repeated a lot, although from different points of view. I would recommend...." Read more

"...it would be perfect for a book club due to its talking points and the multiple perspectives you get on the same situation...." Read more

"...perspectives, the author layers the plot in such a way as to keep the reader engaged and constantly guessing...." Read more

"This was such a well-crafted book with so many brilliant twists and turns that kept me reading at breakneck pace...." Read more

53 customers mention "Writing quality"40 positive13 negative

Customers enjoy the well-written story that draws them into its grip. They praise the author's skill in weaving together different narratives to create a complex narrative. The book is described as engaging, easy to read in one sitting, and brilliantly constructed into individual monologues.

"This book looks at a murder from many perspectives. Well written, interesting, and thought invoking. I would recommend this read!" Read more

"...or is she? ᴄᴏɴꜰᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴꜱ is a translated work of literary fiction...." Read more

"...I don't think any of the story was lost in translation. The author is brilliant in writing a story told five times through the lens of the..." Read more

"I enjoyed the book. I skipped some as the story was repeated a lot, although from different points of view. I would recommend...." Read more

25 customers mention "Character development"18 positive7 negative

Customers appreciate the complex and well-developed characters. They also value the inventive writing style that focuses on each character's perspective.

"...Interesting plot, broken characters, and very well written. I don't think any of the story was lost in translation...." Read more

"...The format was interesting, every chapter being told by a different character with few repeats...." Read more

"This was a decent read but the characters were frustrating and many completely unlikeable. The story was a bit of a drag...." Read more

"...The characters are as twisted as the plot. I will do a very vague summary of the book so as not to ruin it for others...." Read more

14 customers mention "Style"14 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's style. They find the multiple perspectives interesting and original. The book is described as clever, intricate, and brilliant.

"...Telling the same story from multiple perspectives is an interesting approach...." Read more

"...•I loved the unique and inventive writing style with each character, especially the almost stream of consciousness, monologue of the teacher, which..." Read more

"This book is really dark but also intricate and brilliant. It has multiple points of view, and it is interesting how they overlap...." Read more

"Confessions is a unique and delightfully horrific novel. The setup is a teacher is retiring after the death of her four-year-old child...." Read more

9 customers mention "Pacing"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book has a fast pace. They say it's well-paced and enjoyable. The book explores childhood innocence and benevolence, as well as parent-child relationships.

"New to readying everyone on tiktok was saying how good it was... It was slow and repetitive. Nice little twist at the end." Read more

"...Its flaws were noticeable, but the book is such a fast read that they don't have the opportunity to detract in a serious way from the reader's..." Read more

"...The story is still a pretty straightforward revenge story. But it was well paced and fun. Worth reading" Read more

"Sick book. About children. Foreign" Read more

6 customers mention "Pace"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pace. They say it keeps them reading at a fast pace and they love every word on every page. However, some readers feel the pace is slow and repetitive.

"...everyone on tiktok was saying how good it was... It was slow and repetitive. Nice little twist at the end." Read more

"...interesting, every chapter being told by a different character with few repeats...." Read more

"...book with so many brilliant twists and turns that kept me reading at breakneck pace. There was so much I loved, so I'll just list them: •..." Read more

"...The story was interesting, ended up reading in one sitting...." Read more

16 customers mention "Dark tone"8 positive8 negative

Customers have different views on the book's tone. Some find it deep and psychological, exploring the darkness inside children and adults. Others find it rather dark and flat.

"This book is really dark but also intricate and brilliant. It has multiple points of view, and it is interesting how they overlap...." Read more

"Dark and somewhat disturbing tome set in Japan about middle school immaturity, sense of abandonment, child abuse, insecurity, murder, revenge,..." Read more

"This is a great dark and twisted tale about a teacher whose daughter ends up drowning in a pool near the school...." Read more

"...I hated the characters, though. They were all sort of dark and bizarre...." Read more

WORTH THE HYPE
5 out of 5 stars
WORTH THE HYPE
imagine this - it's the last day before summer break and your teacher sits your class down to tell you a story. in this story nothing is really making sense. you can't quite connect the dots, and then at the end it all comes together.your teacher was the same teacher whose daughter died on campus.your teacher tells you that it wasn't an accident.your teacher tells you it was murder and the two people that committed the crime are sitting in the classroom with you right now.your teacher has decided not to pursue legal action because the police deemed it an accident already. she's going to let justice take its course.or is she?ᴄᴏɴꜰᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴꜱ is a translated work of literary fiction. it would be perfect for a book club due to its talking points and the multiple perspectives you get on the same situation. i don't think it perfectly fits into one genre, but the conversational pieces it offers surrounding certain philosophical questions is impeccable to say the least.i can't praise this work enough. i will be returning to this book again, and i don't think i'll stop thinking about it anytime soon.do yourself a favor - pick this one up.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Quick and Interesting
    Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This book looks at a murder from many perspectives. Well written, interesting, and thought invoking. I would recommend this read!
    Helpful
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  • A W
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Somewhat of a slow start, but then became quite intriguing. Interesting to see the simultaneous mindsets at work. I can recommend.
    Helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good but very dark
    Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed the book. I skipped some as the story was repeated a lot, although from different points of view. I would recommend. There is a great deal of insight.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Madison Bates
    5.0 out of 5 stars WORTH THE HYPE
    Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    imagine this - it's the last day before summer break and your teacher sits your class down to tell you a story. in this story nothing is really making sense. you can't quite connect the dots, and then at the end it all comes together.

    your teacher was the same teacher whose daughter died on campus.

    your teacher tells you that it wasn't an accident.

    your teacher tells you it was murder and the two people that committed the crime are sitting in the classroom with you right now.

    your teacher has decided not to pursue legal action because the police deemed it an accident already. she's going to let justice take its course.

    or is she?

    ᴄᴏɴꜰᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴꜱ is a translated work of literary fiction. it would be perfect for a book club due to its talking points and the multiple perspectives you get on the same situation. i don't think it perfectly fits into one genre, but the conversational pieces it offers surrounding certain philosophical questions is impeccable to say the least.

    i can't praise this work enough. i will be returning to this book again, and i don't think i'll stop thinking about it anytime soon.

    do yourself a favor - pick this one up.
    Customer image
    Madison Bates
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    WORTH THE HYPE

    Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2022
    imagine this - it's the last day before summer break and your teacher sits your class down to tell you a story. in this story nothing is really making sense. you can't quite connect the dots, and then at the end it all comes together.

    your teacher was the same teacher whose daughter died on campus.

    your teacher tells you that it wasn't an accident.

    your teacher tells you it was murder and the two people that committed the crime are sitting in the classroom with you right now.

    your teacher has decided not to pursue legal action because the police deemed it an accident already. she's going to let justice take its course.

    or is she?

    ᴄᴏɴꜰᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴꜱ is a translated work of literary fiction. it would be perfect for a book club due to its talking points and the multiple perspectives you get on the same situation. i don't think it perfectly fits into one genre, but the conversational pieces it offers surrounding certain philosophical questions is impeccable to say the least.

    i can't praise this work enough. i will be returning to this book again, and i don't think i'll stop thinking about it anytime soon.

    do yourself a favor - pick this one up.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    14 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Eun
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very different “thriller”
    Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Very different “thriller” than I am used to reading. When a teachers four-year-old daughter is murdered we are introduced to the situation through a lecture. given to her students. She is aware of the students who murdered her child and while she does not call them out by name, it is evident to the class to whom she refers. At the lecture’s end the teacher makes a shocking admission.

    In the subsequent chapters, we meet the two students who committed the heinous act and learn of their turmoil and disappointment. The last chapter reveals the teachers ultimate revenge, and it left me shocked.

    At times the book was wordy but ultimately was sobering in its concept. I kept thinking of Leopold and Loeb and the reasoning behind their actions. We learn why the senseless murder was committed and the repercussions for all involved.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Some of the first chapter is a bore but once it gets going, it never stops with trills.
    Helpful
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  • GiGi
    3.0 out of 5 stars Dark and mysterious
    Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Shocking plot twists!
    I felt like the story dragged and was bogged down at time, but I definitely enjoyed the hellacious plot twists the author threw in along the way and that ending…🤯 I’m not sure who is more disturbed here, the teacher or her students!
    Helpful
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  • will
    4.0 out of 5 stars It's an OK read.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    New to readying everyone on tiktok was saying how good it was... It was slow and repetitive. Nice little twist at the end.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • sara
    5.0 out of 5 stars 10/10
    Reviewed in Canada on January 29, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Waw, the story is so good and the righting is so different from other books I love it sooo much
    Report
  • beatriz garcia romero
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lo terminé en una sentada
    Reviewed in Mexico on February 8, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Muy bueno y te atrapa no lo pude soltar hasta terminarlo, te deja pensando mucho al final.
    Report
  • Melissa Donohoe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 14, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Great story. Well written and clever. Will be getting more from this author.
    Report
  • Afonso Jose Sena Cardoso
    5.0 out of 5 stars um olhar sobre a sociedade japonesa
    Reviewed in Brazil on July 12, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Uma estória que se desenvolve em confissões e revela, simultaneamente, aspectos importantes da sociedade japonesa contemporânea.
    Report
  • pranaygmerchant
    5.0 out of 5 stars A no nonsense Page turner
    Reviewed in India on May 6, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The writing is unbelievably simple and in the beginning it seems jarring. However the plot and characters are very interesting and it won't matter later on as we get deep into the story.
    It is dark and has a handful of twists that just made my jaw drop. If you like books with plot twists then this one is highly recommended.
    Report

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