![Picture](/uploads/7/7/7/4/7774990/published/confessions-of-a-yakuza.jpg?250)
"A simple story, simply told", sums up the nature of this memoir of the life of a Yakusa gang-member and gang boss. This is the pre-WWII Yakusa who were mainly involved in running illicit gambling dens and not the violent criminal gangs of today.
The main thread of the book were the relationships and obligations within the gang and between the rival gangs.
There was very little comment from the narrator and the story was told in a very matter-of-fact way with no emotion, no humour and no sensitivity. It was something to read but did not get drawn in or feel any sympathy towards the main character.
The subservient place of women was in very stark contrast to the UK in 2021 and made people very uncomfortable.
The great earthquake of 1923 was a compelling part of the story - "brilliant and gripping"
It was good to have an insight into a different culture, but we could have been spared some of the gruesome details.
We are struck by the everyday cruelty, particularly in the prisons and in the army. It helped to understand the way POW's were treated in the war was little different to how the Japanese treated their own countrymen.
There was a comparison to be seen between aspects of this society, Dicensian London, American Gangster of the 20's & 30's and French Society depicted in Papillon.
An interesting read but not enjoyable.
The main thread of the book were the relationships and obligations within the gang and between the rival gangs.
There was very little comment from the narrator and the story was told in a very matter-of-fact way with no emotion, no humour and no sensitivity. It was something to read but did not get drawn in or feel any sympathy towards the main character.
The subservient place of women was in very stark contrast to the UK in 2021 and made people very uncomfortable.
The great earthquake of 1923 was a compelling part of the story - "brilliant and gripping"
It was good to have an insight into a different culture, but we could have been spared some of the gruesome details.
We are struck by the everyday cruelty, particularly in the prisons and in the army. It helped to understand the way POW's were treated in the war was little different to how the Japanese treated their own countrymen.
There was a comparison to be seen between aspects of this society, Dicensian London, American Gangster of the 20's & 30's and French Society depicted in Papillon.
An interesting read but not enjoyable.