Elizabeth H. reviewed on
Helpful Score: 3
I'll be frank: I cannot remember the last time I had such a visceral reaction to a book. I found this book to be so profound and so unflinchingly honest that even after I had finished it and closed it, I was unable to actually put the book down. I'll admit that it takes a strong stomach to swallow the graphic sex and unmitigated perversity, however, these elements are not gratuitous. Rather, they are vital to the tenebrous web that Kirino weaves. In the beginning I only wanted to read this book because as a Japanese translator I consider it part of my job to be educated concerning modern Japanese literature. (As a side note I'll say this: the translation work done by Copeland is stunning.) However, studying quickly fell by the wayside as I was drawn in by this haunting mystery. If you only read 1 book this year, it should be this one.
