I'm still experimenting what what my type of book is... so this recommendation, among other references to this author, made me pick up this copy.
A literary phenomenon in Japan, Hunchback is an extraordinary and thrilling debut novel about sex, disability and power
Further more, Ichikawa is the first author with a physical disability to receive the Akutagawa Prize, Japan’s premier literary award. She has congenital myopathy, and uses a ventilator and an electric wheelchair. (ref). In 2025 she was also long listed for the international Booker Prize.
It was definitely something new for me, but so easy to read and get into the space and story, I completed it in 3 reading sittings.. Some reviews referred to it as 'hilarious' or 'up-roaringly funny', but to be honest I must have missed that thread. She does however let us in on her view of life with a disability that is quite provocative, and intense.
I have delayed writing this review while I was processing my take on the book - but what I've come up with is - you need to be brave enough to be questioned when you take on this read. She does provoke the reader to consider what's acceptable or even possible, for someone who lives with a disability to think or do. In her book, Saou, lets us get to know her as a survivor, a resilient and persistent individual, and someone who doesn't what to waste he capacity to live and experience life as she sees it.
There are a couple of scenarios explored in this short book which provoke the reader to question
- Wow, is this something happening in my city/ state or place?
- I'm not sure that happens in real life?
- is that even ethical?
- Would this happen to an able bodied individual?
