Loop (Ring Series, Book 3)

Look I can't say I actually liked the direction the ring series went - but I really respect the author for bringing his vision to the page. This is out there. Really out there. But I dig it.To paraphrase hansel "Sting would be another person who's a hero. The music he's created over the years, I don't really listen to it, but the fact that he's making it, I respect that." I feel the same way here. I can't say I always understood what the hell was happening in this book or in the book that preceded it - but I respect it.

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.

The original Ring movies (Japanese and USA versions) are true original masterpices of horror, as is the orignal Ring novel they are based on. With Spiral, the series moves from its horror roots farther along the spectrum toward science fiction, and that trend culminates in Loop, which has no trace of the wonderful creepiness of Ring.With Loop we have splattered the windshield of pure science fiction. It isn't spoiling the main plot twist to say that the intellectual foundation of Loop is an artificial life/world concept based on anything from Plato's cave allegory to Buddhism and post-modern literary theory. Also prefigured by William Gibson's 1984 classic, Neuromancer.But the farther the Ring series has drifted from mundane horror, the more sterile and featureless it has become. Even Spiral had enough evocation of the daily reality of the spooky Japanese scene to feel somewhat real and gritty, somewhat shocking. But Loop is entirely antiseptic. The main character is bland to point of complete unreality (though the author leaves himself an excuse for this flaw, that logical excuse doesn't help the reader's experience at all). You get no feel for the uniquely creepy Japanese horror atmosphere that is so striking in Ring and other recent stuff such as Ju On.As for possible movie derivatives, I can only say that the movie version of Spiral had already lost most the the momenturm that the book Spiral carried over from Ring (in short, the movie Spiral is very slow and dull). That trend will definitely culminate with any possible movie of Loop (hopefully it won't be made). The characters are cardboard, the settings are bland and boring. The plot has little action. It does have some degree of intellectual interest, however that is too thin a reed to carry the entire plodding narrative. You will pick up a few interesting nuggets of science education.I don't understand why such a talented author has shyed away from his own greatest strengths. Rather than sticking to or deepening his power to invoke that purely and uniquely creepy Japanese horror atmosphere, he had to get all allegorical and philosophical on us, thereby draining his culminating work of any possible blood and guts. This from the author of such great works as Dark Water and the original Ring.I don't know if the success of Ring went to his head or if he'd planned out the entire series at the starting gate, before beginning. But I hope he'll return to his real strengths soon.

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.

This book fails for many, I imagine, because it's more of a science fiction novel than it is a horror novel. However, the same could be said of the second book in this series "Spiral." Some of the visual concepts are quite vivid, and the use of Native American culture I thought was superb. Many have already provided 1 star because they feel it's scattered-brained. To this, I would say that the second book is much more difficult to follow. The narrative is complex because it's the equivalent of "The Matrix." Simulation fiction really throws you for a loop (pun intended), so you should be prepared to suspend some reason, and let Suzuki showcase the final aspect of Sadako!

But at least this series didn't do the same thing over and over again like the movies do.

Again, Suzuki blows me away. This book can be read as a standalone, but is really best if read after Ring and Spiral. There was a point in this book where I said to myself "this is good, but how does it connect to the other boo...OH MY F***ING GOD"One thing is for sure, the implications in Loop are far scarier than anything Sadako could have done.

I loved the first two books, Ring and Spiral, especially the latter so I was really looking forward to the concluding book of the trilogy, Loop. This an okay book but does not reach the same heights as the other books. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite live up to its expectations or possibilities. The book has potential to be brilliant with the Ring virus having become distorted into an incurable form of cancer. There are a few issues with the book. The first issue is how dry and dull it is for more than half of it. The book is so flat and dull I struggled to get through it. The characters are bland and insipid. The biggest issue is how the book explains the creation of the Ring virus and how it became cancer which tears awful holes in the apocalyptic events of Ring and Spiral. The first two books are genuinely creepy and unsettling. Loop is none of these things. I’m so disappointed.

Thank you

Not really what I was expecting from the Ring trilogy. But I couldn't put it down!! Was expecting it to get a lot creepy and scary, but it didn't. Not disappointed at all!!

Love the book, but would rather want to read about Sadako before Ring and Spiral, that would be a great book to read. Birthday was just had a small part about sadako.

Great value for money