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A review by lori85
Cult X by Fuminori Nakamura
2.0
Cult X resembles 2666 in many ways, which the design of the English edition (which is gorgeous) seems to deliberately draw attention to with its interior cover depicting an artistic scene of violence and madness. Both books are weighty tomes centered on crime and mystery, but using these as springboards to explore the cosmic darkness surrounding human society. Both are quite graphic, but here is where I think Nakamura falls apart.
Now I've listened to my fair share of "The Last Podcast on the Left" cult episodes about Jonestown, the Children of God, Aum Shinrikyo (the inspiration behind Cult X) et al, so I know there's a lot of weird sex stuff that comes with the territory. But Nakamura's book is just straight up porn. We're meant to find women being raped and treated as blow-up dolls titillating. Even a 15-year-old girl is depicted as ultimately enjoying her violation by a grown man. While Nakamura did have some interesting ideas about spirituality and quantum physics, the whole thing is overshadowed by a rank misogyny. He reminds me of those dudebros who write explicit rape scenes of beautiful women and girls into historical fiction and claim it's for "authenticity." Blech.
Now I've listened to my fair share of "The Last Podcast on the Left" cult episodes about Jonestown, the Children of God, Aum Shinrikyo (the inspiration behind Cult X) et al, so I know there's a lot of weird sex stuff that comes with the territory. But Nakamura's book is just straight up porn. We're meant to find women being raped and treated as blow-up dolls titillating. Even a 15-year-old girl is depicted as ultimately enjoying her violation by a grown man. While Nakamura did have some interesting ideas about spirituality and quantum physics, the whole thing is overshadowed by a rank misogyny. He reminds me of those dudebros who write explicit rape scenes of beautiful women and girls into historical fiction and claim it's for "authenticity." Blech.