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A review by jkellyjr
The Rope Artist by Fuminori Nakamura
3.0
If you’re kinky and you know it, clap your hands….oh wait, they are tied up….
Book Information
The Rope Artist was written by Fuminori Nakamura. It’s due to be published on May 2, 2023 and is 288 pages. Nakamura won the 2002 Shinchō Literary Prize for New Writers for his first novel, A Gun, the prestigious Noma Literary Prize for Shade in 2004, and the 2005 Akutagawa Prize for The Boy in the Earth. The Thief, his first novel to be translated into English, won the 2010 Oe Prize, Japan’s largest literary award, and was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. Thanks to Soho Press for providing me with an advanced reader copy for review.
Summary
Two detectives are faced with a perplexing case involving identical women and a rapidly increasing body count. The victims are all tied to Japan's underground BDSM scene, specifically the intricate art of kinbaku, a form of rope bondage with a complex cultural history encompassing spirituality, torture, cleansing, and sacrifice. Togashi, a young member of the police force tasked with investigating the murder of a kinbaku instructor, finds himself struggling with his own desires and childhood traumas as he delves deeper into the case. Meanwhile, his partner Hayama, a Sherlock Holmes-like detective with exceptional powers of deduction, is committed to uncovering the truth and maintaining his unwavering moral compass. As Hayama begins to sense a dangerous darkness lurking within Togashi, he launches his own parallel investigation, ultimately leading both detectives down a dangerous path beyond their control.
My Thoughts
The Rope Artist is a departure from my usual reading, blending elements of mystery, cultural exploration, cop story, and erotica. While there are certainly turns and surprises in the plot, the book isn't exactly a traditional mystery, as many of the crimes are not shrouded in secrecy. Instead, the story offers a rich cultural exploration of Japanese Bondage (shibari & kinbaku), delving into its history, significance, and importance.
At its core, The Rope Artist is a cop story, with a focus on the detectives involved in the case and the seedy underbelly of policing. The book's erotic elements are also notable, with explicit sexual content that may be lost in translation. I don't recall encountering the word "penis" so frequently in any other story.
The story unfolds from multiple perspectives, adding depth and complexity to the plot. However, the book's detailed nature can also make it confusing at times, and I appreciated the backstories provided for many of the characters, which helped clarify their motivations and actions.
Nakamura's unique writing style is a standout feature of The Rope Artist. However, it's unclear whether his style overshadowed the content or whether the translation impacted my perception of the book. While I believe there is an audience for this novel, I don't think it will appeal to a broad general population.
Recommendation
The Rope Artist is a must-read for fans of Nakamura's previous works or those who may enjoy books that blend cultural exploration of Japanese Bondage with police investigations of multiple murders. If either of these descriptions fits you, then this book is sure to captivate and intrigue you from start to finish.
Rating
3 Hemp Rope Bound Stars
Book Information
The Rope Artist was written by Fuminori Nakamura. It’s due to be published on May 2, 2023 and is 288 pages. Nakamura won the 2002 Shinchō Literary Prize for New Writers for his first novel, A Gun, the prestigious Noma Literary Prize for Shade in 2004, and the 2005 Akutagawa Prize for The Boy in the Earth. The Thief, his first novel to be translated into English, won the 2010 Oe Prize, Japan’s largest literary award, and was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. Thanks to Soho Press for providing me with an advanced reader copy for review.
Summary
Two detectives are faced with a perplexing case involving identical women and a rapidly increasing body count. The victims are all tied to Japan's underground BDSM scene, specifically the intricate art of kinbaku, a form of rope bondage with a complex cultural history encompassing spirituality, torture, cleansing, and sacrifice. Togashi, a young member of the police force tasked with investigating the murder of a kinbaku instructor, finds himself struggling with his own desires and childhood traumas as he delves deeper into the case. Meanwhile, his partner Hayama, a Sherlock Holmes-like detective with exceptional powers of deduction, is committed to uncovering the truth and maintaining his unwavering moral compass. As Hayama begins to sense a dangerous darkness lurking within Togashi, he launches his own parallel investigation, ultimately leading both detectives down a dangerous path beyond their control.
My Thoughts
The Rope Artist is a departure from my usual reading, blending elements of mystery, cultural exploration, cop story, and erotica. While there are certainly turns and surprises in the plot, the book isn't exactly a traditional mystery, as many of the crimes are not shrouded in secrecy. Instead, the story offers a rich cultural exploration of Japanese Bondage (shibari & kinbaku), delving into its history, significance, and importance.
At its core, The Rope Artist is a cop story, with a focus on the detectives involved in the case and the seedy underbelly of policing. The book's erotic elements are also notable, with explicit sexual content that may be lost in translation. I don't recall encountering the word "penis" so frequently in any other story.
The story unfolds from multiple perspectives, adding depth and complexity to the plot. However, the book's detailed nature can also make it confusing at times, and I appreciated the backstories provided for many of the characters, which helped clarify their motivations and actions.
Nakamura's unique writing style is a standout feature of The Rope Artist. However, it's unclear whether his style overshadowed the content or whether the translation impacted my perception of the book. While I believe there is an audience for this novel, I don't think it will appeal to a broad general population.
Recommendation
The Rope Artist is a must-read for fans of Nakamura's previous works or those who may enjoy books that blend cultural exploration of Japanese Bondage with police investigations of multiple murders. If either of these descriptions fits you, then this book is sure to captivate and intrigue you from start to finish.
Rating
3 Hemp Rope Bound Stars