The Book of Human Insects is a psychological thriller by Osama Tekuza. Toshiko Tomura is perceived as a genius by the world. She’s an international stage actress, an up and coming architect and the next recipient of the prestigious Akutagawa prize for Best New Writer. However, Toshiko has a dark secret: she has gained all that critical and financial acclaim by copying others’ work and she has no qualms about killing other people who threaten her security. As a result, she has a long list of enemies who would like nothing more than to ruin her. Will her sins finally catch up with her?
The plot is enjoyable and displays Tekuza’s creative versatility, but it has the same problem that plagued the main female character of Ayako. Toshiko seems more like a symbol of criticism against a dog-eat-dog society than as a living, breathing character. We don’t know why she’s doing it. Is she motivated by greed and power or does she hate herself and feels that by stealing others’ work, she can create a better self? Despite this, it’s a good thriller that Honolulu Tezuka fans will enjoy.
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