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A review by reirei23
Grotesque by Natsuo Kirino
5.0
Kirino pushes the reader to witness the cause and effect of what Modern Japanese Society does to any woman who struggles to find a place within its classist and restrictive structure. From the beginning of the book, we can intuitively predict that none of the characters will win and that everyone will descend into self-destructive, grotesque Monsters.
Perhaps as a current member of Japanese society, this book got me brooding with dark thoughts because of its realism and relatability. The book pushed me to unwillingly witness the inevitable demise of women. Every female character in the book is pushed into the game curated by the classist male gaze: for the woman to win she must hail from a well-to-do family, be intelligent, exceptionally beautiful, well-networked, rich, subservient, etc. We learn that even the women like the nameless narrator who actively chooses to not participate in the game--loses.
Throughout the book, I felt Kirino laughing at my distaste and discomfort (just like many male characters) towards these women's downfall. For evoking these raw emotions within me I give this book a five stars.
Final afterthought: There is the one re-occuring theme that I am too scared to analyze.... Incest.
Perhaps as a current member of Japanese society, this book got me brooding with dark thoughts because of its realism and relatability. The book pushed me to unwillingly witness the inevitable demise of women. Every female character in the book is pushed into the game curated by the classist male gaze: for the woman to win she must hail from a well-to-do family, be intelligent, exceptionally beautiful, well-networked, rich, subservient, etc. We learn that even the women like the nameless narrator who actively chooses to not participate in the game--loses.
Throughout the book, I felt Kirino laughing at my distaste and discomfort (just like many male characters) towards these women's downfall. For evoking these raw emotions within me I give this book a five stars.
Final afterthought: There is the one re-occuring theme that I am too scared to analyze.... Incest.