Loop

Loop is the conclusion to Koji Suzuki's Ring trilogy. Although each book in the series can be read as a stand alone work, it is best to read the prequels Ring and Spiral to feel the full effect. If you haven't read those before, there is a brief synopsis of both novels to let you in on what has happened. In truth, the series is more science fiction than horror, with concepts such as DNA sequences and theology touched upon in profound detail. Before reading I had heard that some would claim this book is a rip-off of the Matrix, not true! The only comparison is the idea of different realities, but comparisons stop there. I found near the end to be some surprising plot twists that to some may sound cliche, but are worked in a manner that works beautifully. The conclusion I must say though, is on a more positive note than the previous two books, I'm still contemplating the series even though I finished Loop days ago.

The jacket for Loop states that its Suzuki's personal favorite of the lot, and I must say that it's mine too, mainly because of the interesting directions it takes the series. In Ring and Loop, Suzuki shows us the cyclical nature of evil, ultimately culminating with the eventual doom of the human race in Spiral. So it's interesting to note that in Loop, he opts to end the trilogy as a whole on a postive note, one of hope and healing. Along the way, Suzuki asks the Big Questions, namely those of existence and the nature of reality. Many reviewers have noted, some to their dismay, that the series shifts from a more horror oriented slant to science fiction. I have no problem with this, as it shows Suzuki's range as a writer, with an ability to work in different genres. If you would like to see the evolution of an idea, be sure to pick up Loop.

Before reading this review, be aware that it will contain some spoilers, so if you want to be completely surprized do not continue with this review. Having read the previous two novels "Ringu" and "Rassen(Spiral)", Loop actually makes a lot of sense. To try to explain the events of the previous novels any other way would seem ridiculous. The way that Loop plays off the concept of God and higher powers is perfect. Loop is definitely Science fiction whereas Ringu was Horror, and Rassen was borderline Horror/Sci-fi. As one can see, many people have been disapointed with the conclusion of the trilogy, hoping for something more elaborate maybe. Yet the conclusion ties in precisely with the previous events that happened in the Ring World. To say that this isn't a worthy conclusion is discounting the authors intent. Suzuki is a very capable author, and no doubt knew what he was doing when he wrote this. He obviously didn't care if everyone liked his novel or not, he did it the way he knew would be best, he wrote it in his complex style of science and social commentary. Suzkui has some great points here in that there has to be a God. The idea that the world just "fell into place" on its own is a proposterous one. The characters in the book discover this, and realize that without "divine" intervention things were destined to choas and death. There is nothing left unexposed by the end of the novel, everything is examined with a fine-toothed combed. It is not to say it is without its flaws. As Suzkui's moral baramoter is not very high, but he does flesh out his characters well. The translation is not the best, it is quite uneven as someone else mentioned. With complex and simple vocabularly mingled together for not much reason. But despite the clunky translation, the work shines. In light of that, "Loop" novel has been unfairly compared to the Matrix trilogy, when in fact, it was published "before" the release of the first movie in May 1999. Loop was released in 1998(http://int.kateigaho.com/win05/horror-suzuki.html). To say that it is a rip-off of the Matrix is an utter flasehood, if anything, the matrix would have ripped off of "Loop". However, the comparison's to "Ghost in the Shell" may be more plausible, since it was released long before the Matrix and Loop, and may have had an influence, but to say it is a knock off is a total misconception and makes the series seem pedestrian. The Ringu trilogy is not a perfect trilogy, but one of the better horror/sci-fi series out there. With each novel building upon eachother until the very end, and yet, if you wanted to you could read each book on its own, and still understand what is going on, which is quite a feat. You don't have to read the series in order to understand it. You could truly read it in any order. Loop has been underrated and deserves its own set of honors right along with Ringu and Rassen. Don't pass up this novel because of somewhat uneven criticism

The image that comes to mind as I think back through reading the three volumes of Koji Suzuki's Ring trilogy is that of a camera quickly panning back to reveal a much wider scene in which the one that filled your screen a moment ago is revealed as a mere cameo. And now you see what it really meant in its unsuspected context! Breathtaking! You think you understand the mystery of each book by the end, having earned the relief of penetrating the labyrinth along with the characters--only to find that, no, you were wrong! You hadn't seen more than a fragment. I was sobered by the ending of The Ring (both American movie and Suzuki's novel). Then Spiral--! What an imagination! Chilling drafts of tomb air a la M.R. James, naturalistic characterization, fascinating science fiction, and what a conclusion! Nothing but Sadako! Where could he possibly go after this? Into the Loop! Another camera pull back! You mean THIS guy is...? And each book so different from the one before it! I gather the trilogy is the trilogy and that there will be no fourth volume. But what about the hints? That the original psychic-projection and propagation of the Video was too artificial a thing to have occurred in the Loop world without having been planted by someone in the outside world. That the "real" world is a virtual world created by someone less than God. Here's hoping he springs for a fourth.

I just wanted to say that this book was released in japan in 1998 which is a year before The Matrix was released. Even so, after reading the book, I don't even think its very similar to the matrix.