Grotesque - Natsuo Kirino

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I read this ages ago but due to my lame blue screen crashing computer I am only just posting this - enjoy!

Title                             -           Grotesque

Author                         -           Natsuo Kirino

Copyright date             -           2003

Type of book               -           Jap fiction, horror

General subject           -     

murder, incest, prostitution, Jap culture, elitism, 

Price         -   Originally £7.99 but it cost me 20p from Amazon

ISBN.                          -           978-0-099-48893-4

Pages                           -           467

Back Cover:

`Twenty years previously both women were educated at the same elite school for young ladies, and had seemingly promising futures ahead of them.

But in a world of dark desire and vicious ambition, for both women, prostitution meant power. Grotesque is a masterful and haunting thriller, a chilling exploration of women’s secret lives in modern day Japan`

            I finished this book a few weeks ago and have been trying to think about how to put my thoughts on it into words…

In this world there are many kinds of monsters. Often cruel and not just featuring in lady Ga Ga’s songs, they shape the world which we live in. Inner beauty is absent in all characters with the exception of Yurio. Born exceedingly beautiful but unable to recognise it due to his disability he lives in world shaped only in his mind only. He represents a pureness that is untouchable.

The main character has a cruel snarl in her story telling. Her heart seems to have gradually rotted away as she feeds gleefully off others misfortunes. I believe she is unable to experience joy. Completely consumed by jealousy and bitterness.

The book splits between several narrators, which is surprisingly understating. I could not help but be captivated by Zhang’s account of his love for his sister and the journey they took together. I forgot I was reading the tale of a murderer due to the intimate and tender nature of his portrayal.

Many characters colour these pages and the tale of Yuriko reminds me of the tragic story of Gia the supermodel. Like many outstanding beauties Yuriko had no need to have developed a personality beyond her carnal desires which makes her raw and intriguing.

Forbidden love and sexuality feature strongly in this novel. Homosexuality, incest, prostitution, sadomasochism & celibacy interlink surprisingly smoothly.

Grotesque achieves a balance between the disturbing and erotic that I don’t think Kirino captured in previous novels I’ve read. I felt violated at times while reading, a common feeling with this type of fiction. I hope that more of her works are translated as they are original, awe inspiring pieces of work.

If you like this genre I would definitely recommend you read this book.