The second book by prize-winning Japanese novelist Fuminori Nakamura to be available in English translation, a follow-up to 2012's critically acclaimedThe Thief-another fantastically creepy, electric literary thriller that explores the limits of human depravity-and the powerful human instinct to resist evil.
When Fumihiro Kuki is eleven years old, his elderly, enigmatic father calls him into his study for a meeting. "I created you to be a cancer on the world," his father tells him. It is a tradition in their wealthy family: a patriarch, when reaching the end of his life, will beget one last child to cause misery in a world that cannot be controlled or saved. From this point on, Fumihiro will be specially educated to learn to create as much destruction and unhappiness in the world around him as a single person can. Between his education in hedonism and his family's resources, Fumihiro's life is one without repercussions. Every door is open to him, for he need obey no laws and may live out any fantasy he might have, no matter how many people are hurt in the process. But as his education progresses, Fumihiro begins to question his father's mandate, and starts to resist.
Industry Reviews
Praise for "Evil and the Mask" Karma runs thicker than blood in"Evil and the Mask," the thought-provoking and unpredictable new novel by the Japanese zen-noir master Fuminori Nakamura. "Wall Street Journal " " Evil and the Mask"is a brilliant novel from one of Japan s most current authors . . . If you love Patricia Highsmith, you ll love Nakamura. "Globe and Mail" "Evil and the Mask"is a hard-to-put-down novel of ideas and a savage comment on nihilism, both Japanese and global . . . Shouldn't be missed. "Booklist," Starred Review A twisted tale of revenge . . . mixing noir and the existential question of free will. "The Japan Times" Deliciously twisted . . . Nakamura bend[s] the line between what is good and what is evil until it nearly breaks. It s impressive how a book so dark can be so much fun. Grantland ["Evil and the Mask"is] full of themes that everyone can appreciate . . . Nakamura blurs the line between light and dark, good and evil. He illustrates that nothing in life is completely black and white. "Tulsa Books Examiner" "Evil and the Mask"is concerned with a twisty sense of morality: is Fumihiro born evil, and can he escape the cruelty associated with his surname? Omnivoracious Deals with basic questions of good and evil, guilt and remorse. Cryptic detectives, smoky nightclubs, and murky streets in Japanese suburbs add to the noir sensibility. At times bizarre, at times hallucinatory, the story is always provocative. "Publishers Weekly" This literary thriller steeps the reader in humanity s dark nature and the struggle of those who try to resist their own moral corruption. "Library Journal" "Evil and the Mask"is an engrossing account . . . The story is violent, revengeful, and often disagreeable but it still contains that hypnotic voice that makes you want to read more. "Midwest Book Review" "Evil and the Mask," the second book of his to be available in English, is undoubtedly the narrative that will help cement him as the new master of Japanese noir . . . an absolute must-read. "Out of the Gutter Magazine""
