Reviews

"I couldn't become the Mona Lisa. I was after all, a hunchback monster." Page 85.

Wow. This was nothing like what I expected.

This short novel follows Shaka a disabled woman who lives online, studying, she tweets into the void and writes eroctic fiction.

While this novel is only just over 100 pages it manages to pack in a deep and cutting look at disability, bodily autonomy, the privilege of money and health and sex. It didn't pull any punches with sexual descriptions or the grossness of sex, it was extremely blunt and in parts funny. Part of me wishes it was longer.
That ending took me by surprise and took a turn I did not see coming (lol).

I'm so intrigued what Saou Ichikawa does next.

Fabulous translation by Polly Barton too.

Content Warnings

chazerb's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

jukietoss's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This is an absolute banger: an unflinching look at disability, power, class, and bodily autonomy. I love disability representation that doesn't sanitize, glamorize, or minimize--and this novella absolutely looks it in the face via the main character, Shaka, and doesn't let us turn away. But while Shaka's disability plays a major role in her daily life, it in no way sums her up. The differences between her online presence, her studious pursuits, and her physical life combine to create a picture of a whole and complex person. Her wealth brings privilege and, with it, mess as she plays with power dynamics within the group home she owns and in which she resides. She's messy! She has needs and curiosities! And this story manages to be so twisty despite its brevity. Pick it up for the disability rep, think about it forever after for how it refuses simplicity.

emmavardy2's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Interesting topic and premise.
Lots to think about.
Informative around sex and disability.
Short and easy to read.
Good but didn't love it. Found hard to really get immersed in story.

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