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Ryu Maurakami
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Stephen Snyder
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Coin Locker Babies Paperback – August 9, 2002

by Ryu Murakami (Author), Stephen Snyder (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars 420 ratings
A surreal coming-of-age tale that establishes Ryu Murakami as one of the most inventive young writers in the world today.

Abandoned at birth in adjacent train station lockers, two troubled boys spend their youth in an orphanage and with foster parents on a semi-deserted island before finally setting off for the city to find and destroy the women who first rejected them. Both are drawn to an area of freaks and hustlers called Toxitown. One becomes a bisexual rock singer, star of this exotic demimonde, while the other, a pole vaulter, seeks his revenge in the company of his girlfriend, Anemone, a model who has converted her condominium into a tropical swamp for her pet crocodile.

Together and apart, their journey from a hot metal box to a stunning, savage climax is a brutal funhouse ride through the eerie landscape of late-twentieth-century Japan.
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  1. Print length
    400 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Kodansha USA
  4. Publication date
    August 9, 2002
  5. Dimensions
    7.4 x 1.2 x 5.2 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    4770028962
  7. ISBN-13
    978-4770028969
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The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The third of this prolific Japanese author's 30 novels to appear in English, this is a cyber-Bildungsroman of playful breadth and uncertain depth . . . The settings seem lifted from Japanese animation epics: an abandoned mining town, an underwater tunnel and a retreat in the mountains. . . .a lush and frantic imagination . . . expansive and exciting." -Publishers Weekly

"A knockout ... a great big pulsating parable." -Washington Post

"Deliciously grotesque." -Philadelphia Inquirer

"The work of Murakami who is also a filmmaker begs comparison with film. Robocop comes to mind as bearing the closest resemblance to this novel." -Library Journal

"... an amazing, imaginative adventure." -Beverley Curran, The Daily Yomiuri

"Its power grabbed me by the heart."-Banana Yoshimoto, best selling author of Kitchen

"Devilish and brilliant." -Oliver Stone, filmmaker

"Startlingly hip, frighteningly inventive." -Roger Corman, filmmaker

"A writer with talent to burn." -Gary Indiana, author of Rent Boy

Book Description

A surreal coming-of-age tale from one of today's most inventive writers

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kodansha USA
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 9, 2002
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 4770028962
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-4770028969
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.4 x 1.2 x 5.2 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 420 ratings

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  1. Ryu Maurakami

    Ryu Maurakami

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  2. Stephen Snyder

    Stephen Snyder

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
420 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's story engaging, describing it as a strange and fun journey. Moreover, the writing style receives positive feedback, with one customer noting it's among the author's best English translations. However, the pacing receives mixed reactions, with one customer describing it as a tiresome read.

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Story qualityWriting stylePacing
16 customers mention "Story quality"13 positive3 negative

Customers find the book's story interesting and engaging, describing it as a strange and fun journey.

"...It is heartbreaking and insightful, especially to those readers who may have been adopted themselves...." Read more

"...Truly imaginative, vividly written novel with the highest recommendation to anyone with an interest in Japanese culture or a fascination with dark,..." Read more

"...Sometimes interesting - especially the island parts - but usually strobe-light fast plot devices..." Read more

"...Found this more engaging than In the Miso Soup." Read more

11 customers mention "Writing style"11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the writing style of the book, with one noting it's among the author's best English translations.

"...The translation of this book is pretty good for the most part but every once in a while you will come up with something that might sound a little..." Read more

"...Like so much Japanese literature I've read, there's a quality of fantasy that's hard to put one's finger on. Is it the author's imagination run wild?..." Read more

"...Truly imaginative, vividly written novel with the highest recommendation to anyone with an interest in Japanese culture or a fascination with dark,..." Read more

"...(used) was in great condition, arrived promptly, and was a weird ass delightful read. Found this more engaging than In the Miso Soup." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"0 positive3 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book negative, with one customer describing it as a tiresome read that drags on.

"...Yes, the book goes a bit slow, and there can be boring parts...I put the book down for almost two weeks without reading it...." Read more

"...is probably the best of his English translations but overall is a tiresome read...." Read more

"...I though it was poorly written and often just repulsive. Finally I decided I was wasting my time trying to read it...." Read more

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4 out of 5 stars
Damaged book
Book was a little damaged. Other than that very satisfied.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • EE
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Story!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    It is hard to describe this book without giving the plot away. Yet, I can say that once you start reading this book it will be hard to put down. I read that there was a movie in the works for this book but I have not heard anything about it for a while now. Its probably better that they don't turn this book into a movie. It will take away its intensity.

    The translation of this book is pretty good for the most part but every once in a while you will come up with something that might sound a little bit off. If you have lived in Japan before or are famliar with Japanese culture this will make sense to you. If you are not these minor things do not affect the story overall. This book is very graphic and some of the violence and even the sexual acts in here might gross some people out.
    Keep in mind this is the same writer that gave us Audition and Almost Transparent Blue. I recommend this book 100%. Ryu Murakami is awesome!
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Dolce Bellezza
    4.0 out of 5 stars Engaging look at the effects of adoption, even in Japan
    Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2009
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I first heard of this book when Michael Wong, of Ideagist, visited my Japanese Literature Challenge 2 blog and asked me if I had a copy. I told him I'd buy him one, which I did, but when it arrived from amazon.com I had to see what it was about. After reading a few pages, I ordered him another, and sat down to immerse myself in this story.

    Like so much Japanese literature I've read, there's a quality of fantasy that's hard to put one's finger on. Is it the author's imagination run wild? Or, as in a John Irving novel, is the bizarre not so bizarre after all? Somehow, after the first hundred or so pages, the reader doesn't even mind if strange creatures come into the characters' lives, or absurd thoughts present themselves to the characters' stream of consciousness. It all seems perfectly natural, somehow, in a piece of well written literature.

    Coin Locker Babies is about two babies who are abandoned by their mothers in train station coin lockers. "Two troubled boys spend their youth in an orphanage and with foster parents on a semi-deserted island before finally setting off for the city to find and destroy the women who first rejected them. Both are drawn to an area of freaks and hustlers called Toxitown. One becomes a bisexual rock singer, star of this exotic demi-monde, while the other, a pole vaulter, seeks his revenge in the company of his girlfriend, Anemone, a model who has converted her condominium into a tropical swamp for her pet crocodile. Together and apart, their journey from a hot metal box to a stunning, savage climax is a brutal funhouse ride through the eerie landscape of late-twentieth-century Japan." (front cover flap)

    The theme of abandonment, and the pain that causes, runs throughout this novel. Regardless of culture, or life style choices, the distress which comes from knowing that their mother has left them becomes almost unbearable for these two young men. We see their choices, most of them which are self-destructive, in their pursuit for self-acceptance. Secondary, to me, was the plot line which in itself is enthralling; I chose to dwell on their emotional aspects first rather than the physical ones.

    This novel looks at what it means to be a child and an abandoned one at that. It is heartbreaking and insightful, especially to those readers who may have been adopted themselves. Regardless of culture, regardless of age, regardless of reason, being adopted is painful. Yet there is comfort in exploring the issue, in knowing that other adoptees have similar feelings.

    I found this an incredibly profound work, as well as a fascinating look into the Japanese world.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • JED STRAHM
    5.0 out of 5 stars Severely twisted tale of two boys who ended up in ...
    Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2015
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Severely twisted tale of two boys who ended up in the adoption process in Japan, only to embark on wildly different and interesting lives before they decide to take vengeance on the mothers who abandoned them inside coin lockers when they were infants. Truly imaginative, vividly written novel with the highest recommendation to anyone with an interest in Japanese culture or a fascination with dark, unpredictable stories. Highest recommendation!!! Murakami's IN THE MISO SOUP is also a really kickass book.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Diane P
    3.0 out of 5 stars Wild ride toward oblivion
    Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2015
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Well, I hardly know where to begin, but I'll keep it short. I bought this because I am fascinated by Japan's abandoned Hashima Island (or, "Ship Island"), where a portion of the story takes place. (See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashima_Island) Sometimes interesting - especially the island parts - but usually strobe-light fast plot devices and characters that are difficult to engage in. The overall tone for me was apocalyptic-sociopathic-emo. An exceedingly wild and improbable ride. I think I'm just too old for it.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Adele26
    5.0 out of 5 stars As advertised!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Arrived as advertised - great condition.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Naomi Harika
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thank god
    Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2020
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Book (used) was in great condition, arrived promptly, and was a weird ass delightful read. Found this more engaging than In the Miso Soup.
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  • Tris
    4.0 out of 5 stars Worth Reading
    Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I was very excited about getting this book, my first book by Ryu Murakami! So when I got it, I dove right into it. This book has its pros and cons, like most books, of course. First, the characters are so insane but lovable, I find myself (even after finishing the book) thinking about them. This books hows the true grittiness of Tokyo, Japan. Sex, drugs, and music make a perfect match, don't they? Sometimes I DID get annoyed with some of the characters because of their actions, because this book is very twisted, very dark, most of their actions weren't very....good. I couldn't put it down for the first few days, but as I reached towards the middle, I realized: Wow, this book kinda drags on. Yes, the book goes a bit slow, and there can be boring parts...I put the book down for almost two weeks without reading it. Then I picked it back up and became engrossed again. So it took me a little while to finish it. But in the end, the book was fantastic and now I'm a strong supporter of Murakami. Please note that this book is highly disturbing and have sex and drugs in it, so it's not good for children. I know wish they'd make this book into a movie, because I'd definitely watch it! I suggest getting this book if you're into deep, dark, psychological books with meaning. :)
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Ol' Murdy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Loved it
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • ujjwal kad
    5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely engrossing. Not for the faint-hearted
    Reviewed in India on September 20, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Highly recommended for fans of the "more famous" Murakami.
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  • Ricardo Terrazo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buen libro
    Reviewed in Mexico on October 21, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Llegó a tiempo y sin desperfectos. Apenas lo leo pero desde los primero.parrafos te impacta
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  • dalhemarceleza
    5.0 out of 5 stars Murakami showdown
    Reviewed in Brazil on November 7, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This 'other' Murakami makes the 'first' read like Fairy Tale. Everything feels so graphic that I had to stop reading at some points thinking things weren't about to happen. Spoiler: they did.
    Each paragraph places you in the scene; they can be violent, they can be gross, they can be wrong, they can be all together some times. Even the written description of music, non-real rhythms and pieces of sound flowing out mouths becomes very present. The arc of each character closes in a startling way, but like you will want to read.
    I started this book unsettled to meet another Murakami I hadn't even heard of, but it paid out very well and I have found out a new favorite book. It might be time to change this Murakami hierarchy.
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  • Did the job
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good condition and good read
    Reviewed in Japan on April 28, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Great condition
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  • Asprilla
    5.0 out of 5 stars amazing
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 9, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Having read all of Murakami`s other books, this his first i believe i read last, and it is probably his best? difficult to say as i love Piercing also, but this book is a psychedelic onslaught on the brain, every page is dripping with detail, and Murakami takes you to some amazing places, so descriptive, nothing is lost in translation, this book you will not be able to put down! As far as telling you what its about, nah, read it yourself!
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