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Real World
by Natsuo Kirino
Reviewed by Todd Shimoda
Real World is the third of Natsuo Kirino's eighteen novels to-date to be translated into English and unlikely the last. She has won the main prizes in the Japanese mystery and crime genre, had novels have been turned into films, and is winning critical and reader praise. Her work is described by her publisher and others as feminist noir. I'll try to define the term after reviewing her current novel.
The brutal death of a middle-aged suburban woman starts the action rolling. Immediately, her missing, nerdy high-school-aged son is suspected. Their next door neighbor is an older high-school student named Toshi, although she calls herself Ninna for obscure reasons. Nearly everyone seems to have a nickname in the book, and Toshi nicknames the missing son "Worm" for his appearance and demeanor. Worm steals Toshi's bike and cell phone and begins calling her with strange messages. This both unnerves her and intrigues her. She tries to get him to confess to the murder but he remains cryptic as to his guilt.
Toshi has three best friends. Terauchi is the most successful student of the three and is under a lot of stress to get into a prestigious university. Yuzan is gay but keeps it a secret while also suffering guilt over her mother's death. Kirarin looks cute and acts sweet yet cruises the streets at night. Their lives are filled with cram school, bad families, the pressures hyper-urban Japan. All four become involved with Worm and his run from the law, helping as well as hurting him.
The book's chapters are each written from the first-person point-of-view of one of the main characters including Worm. The action in the novel is surprisingly sparse for a crime thriller. Most of the story is internal with characters engaging in musings which sound like therapy sessions. But don't get me wrong, the novel is very suspenseful. It's a short book, finished in a two or three hours, and a powerful read.
Now, what does "feminist noir" mean? I have to admit I'm not entirely sure. Noir, of course, relies on the dark-side of human nature to carry the plot. The feminist adjective I believe means women, whether victims or protagonists in the story, take control of the action They don't wait around for men to lead on the dance floor, no matter how awkward that makes them look in male-oriented society.
Near the end of the story, Kirarin says, "That's the way it is for everybody -- running back and forth between desire and reality, tossed about by life." I think that sums up the book, as well as pointing out that life shouldn't be all that different for women and men. Even in crime.
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Todd Shimoda is the author of The Fourth Treasure and 365 Views of Mt. Fuji.
by Natsuo Kirino
Reviewed by Todd Shimoda
Real World is the third of Natsuo Kirino's eighteen novels to-date to be translated into English and unlikely the last. She has won the main prizes in the Japanese mystery and crime genre, had novels have been turned into films, and is winning critical and reader praise. Her work is described by her publisher and others as feminist noir. I'll try to define the term after reviewing her current novel.
The brutal death of a middle-aged suburban woman starts the action rolling. Immediately, her missing, nerdy high-school-aged son is suspected. Their next door neighbor is an older high-school student named Toshi, although she calls herself Ninna for obscure reasons. Nearly everyone seems to have a nickname in the book, and Toshi nicknames the missing son "Worm" for his appearance and demeanor. Worm steals Toshi's bike and cell phone and begins calling her with strange messages. This both unnerves her and intrigues her. She tries to get him to confess to the murder but he remains cryptic as to his guilt.
Toshi has three best friends. Terauchi is the most successful student of the three and is under a lot of stress to get into a prestigious university. Yuzan is gay but keeps it a secret while also suffering guilt over her mother's death. Kirarin looks cute and acts sweet yet cruises the streets at night. Their lives are filled with cram school, bad families, the pressures hyper-urban Japan. All four become involved with Worm and his run from the law, helping as well as hurting him.
The book's chapters are each written from the first-person point-of-view of one of the main characters including Worm. The action in the novel is surprisingly sparse for a crime thriller. Most of the story is internal with characters engaging in musings which sound like therapy sessions. But don't get me wrong, the novel is very suspenseful. It's a short book, finished in a two or three hours, and a powerful read.
Now, what does "feminist noir" mean? I have to admit I'm not entirely sure. Noir, of course, relies on the dark-side of human nature to carry the plot. The feminist adjective I believe means women, whether victims or protagonists in the story, take control of the action They don't wait around for men to lead on the dance floor, no matter how awkward that makes them look in male-oriented society.
Near the end of the story, Kirarin says, "That's the way it is for everybody -- running back and forth between desire and reality, tossed about by life." I think that sums up the book, as well as pointing out that life shouldn't be all that different for women and men. Even in crime.
--
Todd Shimoda is the author of The Fourth Treasure and 365 Views of Mt. Fuji.
Available in Asia from Paddyfield.com
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