A review by elianawolfson
The Frolic of the Beasts by Yukio Mishima

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.75

This book had some minor flaws, and didn’t quite live up to my expectations from the other Mishima I’ve read, but it was chilling and gripping nonetheless. The juxtaposition between the mundanity that occupied about 80% of this book - picnics, walking, lovers quarrels, etc. -  and the random bursts of horrific violence that made up the remaining content of the novel, was incredible.