Piercing
We’re doing a double feature today as part of the Something Strange book club here in Sheffield, reading a book then watching its film adaptation. This one’s a short sharp hit of a book, gruesome and darkly amusing in places.
It’s a Japanese psycho-thriller that follows the thoughts of a man who gets the urge to murder a prostitute with an ice pick. He spends a lot of time planning the murder but gets more than he bargained for when he meets her.
Murakami (not that one) paints a vivid picture of the scene and setting here, with so few words. There’s a purpose and clarity to the writing that had me read the book almost in one sitting.
Just when he starts to lose you, the book’s over. I’m not entirely convinced it’s more than just a cheap pulpy thrill but it’s still a thumbs up from me.