The Graveyard Apartment by Mariko Koike is a slow-paced horror story that follows a young family moving into an apartment next to a graveyard. As they settle in, strange and terrifying occurrences begin to unfold, leading to a sense of unease and menace seeping through the building. The plot gradually builds up to reveal a dark secret lurking in the basement, causing residents to move out one by one and leaving the family isolated against a supernatural threat.

The writing style in The Graveyard Apartment is described as patient and atmospheric, with a focus on developing tension and suspense throughout the story. The author skillfully builds a sense of dread and terror, creating a genuinely spooky atmosphere that keeps readers on edge. The book explores themes of haunted houses, supernatural forces, and the psychological horror faced by the characters as they navigate through the eerie events unfolding in their new home.

Characters:

The characters are generally perceived as unlikable or one-dimensional, except for the daughter who is seen as innocent and relatable.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style features slow, subtle horror with a focus on atmosphere and tension, although some clichéd moments and translation issues were noted.

Plot/Storyline:

The story follows a family moving into an apartment near a graveyard, where they encounter eerie phenomena and growing tension as other residents leave.

Setting:

The setting features an eerily priced apartment complex located next to a graveyard, highlighting a sense of unease, especially regarding its peculiar basement.

Pacing:

The pacing is slow with a gradual build-up of tension, though some readers found it frustratingly slow at times.

When they got up that first morning, the little white finch was dead. The bottom of the cage was covered with a thick layer of loose feathers, and it looked as if there had been a violent struggle bef...

Notes:

The Graveyard Apartment was first published in Japan in 1986.

The novel is set in Tokyo, where a family moves into an apartment building surrounded by a graveyard and a crematorium.

The family, the Kanos, faces strange occurrences soon after settling in.

Their pet finch dies shortly after they move in, hinting at the building's eerie atmosphere.

The building's design includes a basement that is only accessible by an elevator, which raises safety concerns for the residents.

Many residents begin moving out of the building when odd events transpire, leaving the Kanos isolated.

Misao and Teppei Kano, the parents, harbor a dark secret related to Teppei's first wife, who committed suicide.

The novel blends psychological horror with personal histories of the characters, exploring themes of guilt and shame.

The storyline gradually builds suspense, leading to a more sinister atmosphere as the Kanos endure haunting experiences.

Some readers found the pacing slow but appreciated the atmospheric tension throughout the book.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include themes of death, haunting, and psychological distress. The treatment of animals may also be sensitive for some readers.

From The Publisher:

One of the most popular writers working in Japan today, Mariko Koike is a recognized master of detective fiction and horror writing. Known in particular for her hybrid works that blend these styles with elements of romance, The Graveyard Apartment is arguably Koike's masterpiece. Originally published in Japan in 1986, Koike's novel is the suspenseful tale of a young family that believes it has found the perfect home to grow into, only to realize that the apartment's idyllic setting harbors the specter of evil and that longer they stay, the more trapped they become.

This tale of a young married couple who harbor a dark secret is packed with dread and terror, as they and their daughter move into a brand new apartment building built next to a graveyard. As strange and terrifying occurrences begin to pile up, people in the building start to move out one by one, until the young family is left alone with someone... or something... lurking in the basement. The psychological horror builds moment after moment, scene after scene, culminating with a conclusion that will make you think twice before ever going into a basement again.

Ratings (7)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (2)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (1)
Did Not Like (2)

Reader Stats (32):

Read It (7)
Want To Read (19)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (5)

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About the Author:

MARIKO KOIKE was born in Tokyo and is the recipient of a number of literary awards including the Naoki Prize, the Shibata Renzaburo Award, and most recently the Yoshikawa Eiji Prize for Literature.

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The Graveyard Apartment

Mariko Koike