James Nicoll Reviews

Home > Reviews > By Contributor

Reviews by Contributor: Otsuichi (1)

The Kindness of Strangers

Goth

By Otsuichi  

16 Aug, 2017

Translation

0 comments

Otsiuchi’s 2002 Goth is a collection. Most of the English translation was done by Andrew Cunningham, although one section was translated by Jocelyne Allen. The Haikasoru edition was published in 2015.

Morbid, expressionless Morino was a loner until she recognized a kindred spirit in a fellow student (who, being the narrator, feels little need to name himself in these stories). The pair bond over their shared fascination with gruesome murders.

Morino is particularly valuable to her murder-obsessed friend because although she remains completely unaware of the fact, Morino attracts killers, just as rotting meat attracts flies. Pheromones?

Read more ➤