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What's Left of Me Is Yours: A Novel Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 579 ratings

"Each chapter of this enrapturing novel is elegantly brief and charged with barely contained emotion." (New York Times Book Review)

A gripping debut set in modern-day Tokyo and inspired by a true crime, for readers and listeners of Everything I Never Told You and The Perfect Nanny, What's Left of Me Is Yours charts a young woman's search for the truth about her mother's life - and her murder.

In Japan, a covert industry has grown up around the wakaresaseya (literally "breaker-upper"), a person hired by one spouse to seduce the other in order to gain the advantage in divorce proceedings. When Satō hires Kaitarō, a wakaresaseya agent, to have an affair with his wife, Rina, he assumes it will be an easy case. But Satō has never truly understood Rina or her desires, and Kaitarō's job is to do exactly that - until he does it too well. While Rina remains ignorant of the circumstances that brought them together, she and Kaitarō fall in a desperate, singular love, setting in motion a series of violent acts that will forever haunt her daughter's life.

Told from alternating points of view and across the breathtaking landscapes of Japan, Stephanie Scott exquisitely renders the affair and its intricate repercussions. As Rina's daughter, Sumiko, fills in the gaps of her mother's story and her own memory, Scott probes the thorny psychological and moral grounds of the actions we take in the name of love, asking where we draw the line between passion and possession.

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Product details

Listening Length 11 hours and 31 minutes
Author Stephanie Scott
Narrator Janet Song, Emily Woo Zeller
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date June 23, 2020
Publisher Random House Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B081K9S34Y
Best Sellers Rank #124,655 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#942 in Psychological Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#1,637 in Cultural Heritage Fiction
#1,656 in World Literature (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
579 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the vivid descriptions and clever structure. The characters are described as interesting and relatable. The plot is described as intriguing and suspenseful. Readers enjoy learning about Japanese culture and legal systems through the book.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

23 customers mention "Readability"19 positive4 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-crafted. They find the story captivating with its insights into the Japanese legal system and nature. The characters are unique and brilliantly developed, making the book gripping until the very end.

"...Vivid, sensual, original, and beautifully written. A powerful debut novel that makes you feel as though you are living in present Japan, with an..." Read more

"...Characters are not fully likeable not unlikeable. Descriptions are vivid. A multigenerational family saga...." Read more

"...the story has the look and feel of a title for women, it is equally engaging for men. Readers....go buy and enjoy this...." Read more

"...A wonderful read, in sum." Read more

16 customers mention "Writing quality"16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's writing quality. They find the descriptions vivid and intimate, with a clever structure. The prose is lyrical at times, especially when describing nature. The novel provides an intricate way to learn about Japanese culture and allows readers to visualize everything clearly.

"...you feel as though you are living in present Japan, with an intricate structure and mysterious story line...." Read more

"...Some of the descriptions of people, places, events and things are beautifully written...." Read more

"...Characters are not fully likeable not unlikeable. Descriptions are vivid. A multigenerational family saga...." Read more

"Stephanie Scott's voice for storytelling is clear as a bell. Sights, scenes, smells, fascinating characters combine in a love story and murder..." Read more

11 customers mention "Character development"9 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the character development in the book. They find the story engaging with relatable characters that feel real. The facts are woven into an interesting storyline.

"...The characters are alive and Japanese Law is the sixth presence, a character in itself, that presides over this book...." Read more

"...Characters are not fully likeable not unlikeable. Descriptions are vivid. A multigenerational family saga...." Read more

"...Sights, scenes, smells, fascinating characters combine in a love story and murder mystery set in Japan...." Read more

"Beautifully written, explosive storytelling about a profession I had never heard of-wakaresaseya “breaker-upper”, an industry in Japan who’s purpose..." Read more

11 customers mention "Plot"11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story's intriguing plot. They find the premise compelling and appreciate the setting. The story is told in short chapters from the perspective of the main characters. The literary fiction blends with psychological fiction and suspense, unfolding lies and secrets.

"...are living in present Japan, with an intricate structure and mysterious story line...." Read more

"...Literary fiction mixed with psychological fiction and suspense, told through short compelling chapters...." Read more

"...The story is told in episodes with each introduced the name of the character whose point of view is featured...." Read more

"...I loved the short chapters which were like little stories within the novel. It made it easy to stop and then pick up and continue the read...." Read more

9 customers mention "Learning material"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy learning about Japanese culture and legal procedures from the book. They appreciate the strong cultural references and nuances. The characters are described as alive, with the legal system being portrayed as a sixth presence.

"...The characters are alive and Japanese Law is the sixth presence, a character in itself, that presides over this book...." Read more

"...I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Japanese legal procedures, too. In addition, the book is beautifully written...." Read more

"...Still the cultural references and nuances are strong." Read more

"...The reader is immersed in Japanese culture, in vivid, intimate details of daily life, as layer after layer of lies and deception are peeled back to..." Read more

Thought provoking and stunning!!
5 out of 5 stars
Thought provoking and stunning!!
This novel is written in a lyrical prose which enhances the charm of the Japanese culture and landscapes, also gives the eeriness needed for a psychological thriller. I've never visited Japan but the world-building Scott achieved through her writing was nothing short of magnificent, especially considering how unfamiliar I am with it. Overall, incredibly vivid, I can't say that enough.I loved Rina and Sumiko, and felt quite a few complex emotions for Kaitarō too. The resolution haunts me, but in a good way, or in a way that could only be given the theme. It's a book I'll be thinking about for a long time.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2021
    One of the best books I have read in many years and hopefully one that will not get lost in the flood of trendy releases. Vivid, sensual, original, and beautifully written. A powerful debut novel that makes you feel as though you are living in present Japan, with an intricate structure and mysterious story line. The characters are alive and Japanese Law is the sixth presence, a character in itself, that presides over this book.
    Our book club invited Stephanie Scott to join us at our meeting and she did! What a delightful, lovely, and articulate young woman. We are all looking forward to her second book, which is apparently based somewhat on her family history. Should be terrific!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2020
    a very Japanese type of service.
    good understanding of how Japan works
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2020
    I might have given this novel 4 stars had I been in a mood to read it reeeally slowly. Some of the descriptions of people, places, events and things are beautifully written. But there are too many digressions here which do nothing to further the story. They become tiresome. And in the end, aside from nice insights into the Japanese criminal justice system, the story itself is rather tiresome.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2021
    What’s Left of Me is Yours by Stephanie Scott
    Reading the description, I thought this was not a book for me. Wow, was I wrong! It is one of my favorites of the year.
    In the prologue, we learn that in 2010 Japan, a Wakaresaseya agent (hired to break up a marriage) fell in love with his client, and then killed her. Stephanie Scott tells a fictional story based on this case that I could not put down. Literary fiction mixed with psychological fiction and suspense, told through short compelling chapters. Beautiful lyrical prose that makes you feel as if you are there. That the Wakaresaseya industry even exists is an eye opener!
    Characters are not fully likeable not unlikeable. Descriptions are vivid. A multigenerational family saga. Things left unsaid often more important that what is said. The Japanese legal system and it’s machinations. Expectations placed on women. Relationships, marriage, the love of parents for their children. So many elements that contribute to a page turning novel that is excellent for book club discussion.
    Highly recommended!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2020
    Stephanie Scott's voice for storytelling is clear as a bell. Sights, scenes, smells, fascinating characters combine in a love story and murder mystery set in Japan. The story is told in episodes with each introduced the name of the character whose point of view is featured. Pay attention to the names of towns referenced in each episode which orient the reader to the timing of events that happen over a 25 year period. As a writer working on my hoped-for literary debut I'm very sensitive to weeding out of extraneous words. There aren't a dozen "loafer" words in these 336 pages. While the story has the look and feel of a title for women, it is equally engaging for men. Readers....go buy and enjoy this. Ms. Scott...get to work on the next one. Your readers abide.
    26 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2020
    I was delighted when this book dropped on my Kindle. I discovered the author on Instagram and preordered the book as soon as I could. And then I had to wait for the release date. It was hard to exercise patience. I love books about Japanese culture and society, and this book offered me a glimpse into the world of wakaresaseya. I'd never heard of this profession before reading this book. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Japanese legal procedures, too.

    In addition, the book is beautifully written. The prose is lyrical at times, especially when the author is describing nature or the citiscapes of Japan. I also liked how Scott gave readers a glimpse into each of the characters' psyches. A wonderful read, in sum.
    18 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2021
    The descriptions were lush and appropriate to the movement of the story. I loved the short chapters which were like little stories within the novel. It made it easy to stop and then pick up and continue the read. Felt title an after thought and it didn't make sense to me when it was spoken in the novel. I was waiting for a twist but I am glad, in a way, that they wasn't one. Sometimes the twist is so contrived. I learned some things about Japanese culture that were fascinating. Well worth the read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2021
    The NYTimes review was generous. The writing is clear. The novel should have been about 300 pages shorter. I kept waiting for an interesting ending that never came. Still the cultural references and nuances are strong.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • mjc1436
    5.0 out of 5 stars Super read
    Reviewed in Canada on August 22, 2020
    Super read , a peek into the Japanese criminal justice system and society’s approach to marriage dissolution
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Rüdiger
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in Germany on March 25, 2021
    Wonderful novel, absolutely enjoyed reading it!
  • MR T B HALE
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic book that defies category
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 22, 2020
    ‘What’s Left of Me is Yours’ is a book that defies category other than that of a wonderful read. Stephanie Scott’s detailed research shines through to invoke a vivid tapestry of Japan as she weaves a story of love, justice and the personal search for truth through all the nuances of human relationships.

    From the start I realised that although this book centres around a terrible crime, it is not a ‘who dunnit’ but instead I looked forward to learning ‘why he did it’. In some ways the reader might be left disappointed, since one leaves the book still questioning how people can do such terrible things to those they love? However for me this was a wonderful story of self discovery and the need to understand the narrative of our past in order to choose our future.
    Like a good poem I found myself rereading passages, purely to enjoy the prose and the vivid scenes they conjure. With so much detail and description, the pace is naturally not that of a traditional thriller, however I never felt the narrative suffered. On the contrary, the discovery of each new piece in the jigsaw of Sumiko and her mother Rina’s lives, kept me turning the pages to the end.

    I only wish I had the skill of the author with which to more eloquently describe how much I enjoyed this wonderful and unique book! It is one to savour and in my opinion it would also make an excellent candidate to be enjoyed by a book club.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Robert Sullivan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read. Loved it.
    Reviewed in Canada on August 17, 2020
    Great book. Captured Japan and their customs exceptionally well.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • ashrafi
    4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing must read!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 22, 2021
    1990s in Japan is where this story begins.
    Rina and Sato are in an unhappy marriage they have a daughter together called Sumiko.
    Sato wants out of his marriage but doesn't want to lose the wealth he has gained by marrying Rina. So Sato hires a wakaresaseya to seduce his wife (a wakaresaseya is an agent hired to seduce your spouse to gain advantage in a divorce proceeding.) The agent's name is Kaitaro.
    It all goes to plan until Rina and Kaitaro fall in love. They make plans to start a new life but suddenly Rina is killed by Kaitaro.

    Twenty years later Sumiko learns the mystery to her mother's death.
    We learn her mother's story too leading to her death.
    I really loved how both narratives linked and eventually Sumiko got the answers she was seeking.
    Customer image
    ashrafi
    4.0 out of 5 stars
    Amazing must read!

    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 22, 2021
    1990s in Japan is where this story begins.
    Rina and Sato are in an unhappy marriage they have a daughter together called Sumiko.
    Sato wants out of his marriage but doesn't want to lose the wealth he has gained by marrying Rina. So Sato hires a wakaresaseya to seduce his wife (a wakaresaseya is an agent hired to seduce your spouse to gain advantage in a divorce proceeding.) The agent's name is Kaitaro.
    It all goes to plan until Rina and Kaitaro fall in love. They make plans to start a new life but suddenly Rina is killed by Kaitaro.

    Twenty years later Sumiko learns the mystery to her mother's death.
    We learn her mother's story too leading to her death.
    I really loved how both narratives linked and eventually Sumiko got the answers she was seeking.
    Images in this review
    Customer image