The Informer (Takagi novel)
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The Informer (密告者, Mikkoku-sha) is a 1965 novel by Akimitsu Takagi. It was translated into English by Sadako Mizuguchi. Soho Crime published the English version,[1] which was released in 1999.[2] It was the third book by Takagi to be published in English.[3]
Author Katy Munger wrote that the book "became a runaway bestseller and established Takagi as one of Japan's most popular writers."[3]
Saburo Kirishima investigates murder cases in a series of books. In this book, Shigeo Segawa, who had accepted a job involving spying on companies, is the primary suspect in the murder of Shoichi Ogino, a former classmate of his.
The story is derived from a real life event.[3]
Chris Gay of The Wall Street Journal describes Segawa as "hapless".[4]
Writing style
Munger described the writing style as "simple, linear and bare", and this is "particularly in translation".[3]
Reception
Gay stated that it "was a bestseller when originally published in Japan."[4]
Stephen Mansfield wrote that the novel reflected the cultural shift of the 1960s by "allowing his characters to fully engage in the newfound sexual freedoms."[1]
Kirkus Reviews stated that the pre-murder portions have a "brilliantly brutal effect of a more polite David Mamet" while, in regards to the portion after the murder, the details of the crime said to occur hold more interest than the investigation process.[2]
Publishers Weekly stated that the resolution to the story is "elegant".[5]