What an intriguing story. Beyond being enlightening in a technical sense, the book explores complex relationships and personalities. It is well reviewed by some of our favourite authors, but this does not influence my finding that it is a book well worth reading. Would I read it twice? No. But I'm still glad I read it.
This was a surprisingly serious book with occasional amusing moments. The protagonist is an NHS doctor, recently returned to work under close supervision after a meltdown caused by the death of a patient, his sister’s untimely death, cocaine abuse, and the end of a long-term relationship. He is homosexual and has diagnosed bipolar disorder. Soon after his return to work, his boss dies after discovering him in a compromising situation. He becomes suspicious that the death wasn’t natural, and ends up engaging in a series of shenanigans that cast doubt on his sanity. Even the reader begins to think, “Oh no! Don’t do that!” Then, the next doctor dies, under similar circumstances, and our anti-hero is driven to yet greater heights (or depths). I struggled a little in places but followed the story to its climactic denouement, which includes several surprises, such as discovering who his friends really are and, of course, the killer's identity and motivations. Well-written but sadder than funny, this book was not what I expected. Nevertheless, it proved a worthwhile read.
I thought I'd read some pretty strange books before now, but this one has to be the strangest. Yes, it's a satire of academia, but it's also a fantasy story and, quite oddly, a love story. It has elements of literature, philosophy, and mythology. I can't imagine how much research went into it, and I didn't always bother to untangle every detail of its convoluted logic. It makes me think of a sort of dark "Pilgrim's Progress" without the moralizing. Will everyone enjoy it? I'm not sure. I found it riveting. From a technical perspective, there were occasional turns of phrase and word choices I found rather odd, and it was heavy going in places, but I'm glad I persevered. Definitely dark, undoubtedly different, it's a journey to hell and... back? That would be telling.
I enjoyed this book, but it is deeply Japanese in a way that may occasionally seem excessive - for example, a full page of people greeting each other courteously. The translation was occasionally repetitive in format. However, it proved to be an interesting book on a number of levels: the Japanese work ethic, its effects on people, particularly women, the beauty standard, and family life. I have added links to some interesting resources, including the real-life case that inspired the book. I think the perspective presented in the (rather long) video by "Salaryman" also explains Japanese work culture well, and that by understanding it, we can gain a deeper perspective on the book and its characters. In short, the book deals with a woman who is accused of serial murder and found guilty based on circumstantial evidence. Though not conventionally beautiful, she has several older "boyfriends" who fund her lifestyle in exchange for company and good food. All but one of them dies within a short timeframe, and she is accused of murdering them. The main character gains access to the woman by discussing food, and working to understand her perspective by partaking in her recommended food experiences. She writes a series of articles about the accused murderess in the runup to her appeal court case, believing she has uncovered deeper motivations that basically show she is not guilty, but that fascination with her may have led to the men neglecting themselves and dying. However, she later questions her own findings for reasons you will uncover in the book itself. Meanwhile, the story explores her relationships and background, both of which are coloured by her cultural identity. Although the tempo is slow to begin with, it builds momentum and turns out to be a very interesting read. The real-life inspiration for this story is also of interest, and I have posted a link that explains it.
I absolutely loved this book from the very first page. The author manages to write a side-splittingly hilarious comedy and a good murder mystery in one, quite an achievement. Highly recommended!