This long-awaited English translation is a spellbinding read, a fascinating peek into modern Japanese society, and a glimpse into the dark corners of the human psyche. Originally published in Japan in 2009, Confessions is Minato’s first novel and the winner of that country’s National Book Award. As the impact of the tragedy is slowly revealed, readers discover how the crime was committed, what drove the two teens to murder, and the deep and far-reaching effects of Yuko’s revenge. The story is revealed through the alternating viewpoints of its main characters: the killers, Naoki and Shuya Shuya’s overprotective mother and Mizuki, the class prefect. So on the last day of school, she delivers her own-one final lecture to her students that not only reveals the identities of the killers but also sets into motion a revenge plot that changes the lives of everyone around her. The first chapter sets the scene: a schoolteacher talks to her class in one long, monologue. Confessions is the first book in a long time that truly shocked me, that made me swear in surprise. previous 1 2 next sort by previous 1 2 next Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. Yuko knows who killed her child, but the punishment of juvenile offenders in Japan is far too lenient for her taste. Confessions by Kanae Minato As someone who loves a truly twisted story, Kanae Minato is one of my new favorites. 41,050 ratings 8,104 reviews shelved 116,017 times Showing 30 distinct works. She teaches science at the school but because of the tragedy has decided to retire. The death was labeled an accident, but the child’s mother, Yuko, knows otherwise. The body of Manami Moriguchi has been discovered floating in the pool at S Middle School.