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A review by readthesparrow
Body by Asa Nonami
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’ve had this book on my shelf for… gosh, six years now? It was suggested by my creative writing professor (shoutout Jim) because he knew I love body horror and fiction about obsession.
While I am glad I read it, I am sure that the contents were more shocking back when these stories were first published. Unfortunately, with the rise of the internet, the kind of intense body dysmorphia and strange obsessions are the sort of thing I have seen before, and the prose style (which was, as a disclaimer, translated from Japanese) did not carry it otherwise.
The two standout stories—and the ones that will stick with me—are “Blood” and “Jaw.” In “Blood,” a man with a knee fetish has marital problems when he gets caught groping women on the subway; in “Jaw,” (my personal favorite of the collection), a troubled young man who is constantly being beaten by older men becomes obsessed with boxing.
I am still very glad I read Bødy, but I don’t think it will be a collection I will return to.
[All opinions shared here are my own.]
While I am glad I read it, I am sure that the contents were more shocking back when these stories were first published. Unfortunately, with the rise of the internet, the kind of intense body dysmorphia and strange obsessions are the sort of thing I have seen before, and the prose style (which was, as a disclaimer, translated from Japanese) did not carry it otherwise.
The two standout stories—and the ones that will stick with me—are “Blood” and “Jaw.” In “Blood,” a man with a knee fetish has marital problems when he gets caught groping women on the subway; in “Jaw,” (my personal favorite of the collection), a troubled young man who is constantly being beaten by older men becomes obsessed with boxing.
I am still very glad I read Bødy, but I don’t think it will be a collection I will return to.
[All opinions shared here are my own.]
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Injury/Injury detail
Body dysmorphia