My Annihilation by Fuminori Nakamura is translated by Sam Bett and published by Soho Press.
This is a hell of a difficult book to review. It's twisty and dark and every time I thought I had a handle on something, I was wrong. It's vague in places I wanted more detail and detailed in places I would have been fine with more vagueness. The title is absolutely perfect, because really, that's what the book is about. The self, and the destruction and creation of self, and also: revenge. And love? And definitely trauma. The translation by Bett is solid- the prose is workmanlike in a way that adds to the story. Also, the hardcover is gorgeous.
I feel like this review should be longer, because the book deserves it, but also like not knowing much about it going in is a benefit, and also I'm tired.
This is a book I'd recommend but only if I knew the person and their tastes well.
This is a hell of a difficult book to review. It's twisty and dark and every time I thought I had a handle on something, I was wrong. It's vague in places I wanted more detail and detailed in places I would have been fine with more vagueness. The title is absolutely perfect, because really, that's what the book is about. The self, and the destruction and creation of self, and also: revenge. And love? And definitely trauma. The translation by Bett is solid- the prose is workmanlike in a way that adds to the story. Also, the hardcover is gorgeous.
I feel like this review should be longer, because the book deserves it, but also like not knowing much about it going in is a benefit, and also I'm tired.
This is a book I'd recommend but only if I knew the person and their tastes well.