A roller-coaster ride from the master of the psycho-thriller
It's just before New Year, and Frank, an overweight American tourist, has hired Kenji to take him on a guided tour of Tokyo's nightlife. But Frank's behaviour is so odd that Kenji begins to entertain a horrible suspicion: his client may in fact have murderous desires. Although Kenji is far from innocent himself, he unwillingly descends with Frank into an inferno of evil, from which only his sixteen-year-old girlfriend, Jun, can possibly save him.
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As I read, I am treated to a description of a tightly urban Japan and then introduced to a seedy but ever-present 'adult' nightlife scene.
Our protagonist, Kenji, is our guide to story and setting. His local knowledge grounds him in the story and gives insight into a world I was of which I was unaware.
Kenji is not the Patrick Bateman in the story but he is introduced to a deeply unsettling American man named Frank who has one desire from his brothel hunting.
The novel provides an unsettling atmosphere as Kenji is trapped with Frank, as he suspects Frank is more unhinged than he seems. Kenji's local knwoledge and belonging in the setting makes our antagonist, Frank, all the more unwelcome and foreign.
The novel also sheds light on a part of Japanese culture than many foreigners don't know about; like a dark alley begging to be explored against your will.
A fairly short read but I was enjoying the discomfort Frank gave Kenji, I didn't want to stop anyhow. - Matt (QBD)
Guest, 14/04/2018
