As expected, the book was better than the film.
Winner of 2008 Naoki Prize, it has some faults, but definitely more depth than the movie.
The movie and the book differ in the flow of time. While the movie flows from Hana losing her parents and ends with her fiance meeting her father, the book goes back in time.
From the wedding ceremony, back in time to her first date , two murders and eventually Hana as a 9 years old, losing her parents and adoption by Jungo. Each part is told by a different Narrator, including Komachi san, Jungo’s “girlfriend”.
I must admit that the last part was a bit tiring, as I saw the movie and felt it didn’t add enough to the story.
Books are always better!