Otsuichi (乙一, Otsuichi?), also known as Eiichi Nakata and Asako Yamashiro, is the pen-name of Hirotaka Adachi (安達 寛高), born 1978.
He is a Japanese writer, mostly of horror short stories. He made his debut with Summer, Fireworks, and My Corpse while still in high school.
Major works include the novel Goth, which was made into a manga, and the short story collection Zoo, which was made into a movie.
Tokyopop has released his short story collection Calling You, and will release Goth in November. His short story F-Sensei's Pocket appears in the English language edition of Faust.
A collection of three short stories of varying length and creepiness level, this was a truly perfect addition to my find-horror-stories-that-impress-me quest.
"Summer, Fireworks, and My Corpse" is told from a dead girl's perspective, as she follow's her killers make increasingly unrealistic plans to hide her body.
"Yuko" tells the story of a maid whose master's odd behaviour leads her down a rabbit-hole of investigations. *cue ominous sound effects*
"Black Fairytale" is an extremely disturbing story told from multiple perspectives, about a girl who starts seeing strange things following an eye transplant.
I may have mentioned before, that horror stories in print rarely leave a lasting impression on me, even though scary movies have me twitch and jump 10 minutes in. So I'm always on the lookout for just the right mix of horror to send shivers down my back, without leading to serious nightmares.
For reference, most of my nightmares stem from fairly mundane real life memories, while gore imagery only tends to get me mildly intrigued. So what you consider hair-raising, it might just achieve a raised eyebrow from me. *insert dubious smile*
For this reason, I really enjoyed the order in which the stories were presented, steadily upping the gore and creepiness factors. The first story is not particularly graphic, with the unsettling feelings caused by the culprits' young age. The second story reveals all its creepiness in hindsight, due to the narrator's highly unreliable (and rumor-prone) nature. And finally, in the third story, the author completely immerses the reader into all sorts of spine tingling terror and gore.
Score: 4.3/5 stars
For all that I enjoyed the heightened creepiness factor, that came with additional revelations in each story's epilogue, it also felt a bit like cheating. Some more consistent clues linking events wouldn't have gone amiss. Plus, the "loss of eye" premise from "Black Fairytale" screamed lack of credibility from all its pores.
On a more positive (hah!) note: I suspect this is the sign I've been waiting for to finally give the original Ring a go. *cue preemptive shuddering*
ভাবতেই অবাক লাগে যে হাই স্কুলে পড়া অবস্থায় কেউ এধরনের গল্প কিভাবে লেখে! অৎসুইশির লেখায় এটাই মজা যে হিউম্যান সাইকোলজি কে উনি একদম ওলোটপালোট করে দেখান। যদিও এই লেখা তার অন্যান্য লেখার থেকে বেশ কাঁচা তবে যেই বয়সের লেখা সেটা বিবেচনা করলে দিব্বি ভাল লেগে যায়। বই টাতে দুটো গল্প আছে। আর 'সামার ফায়ারওয়ার্কস অ্যান্ড মাই করপস' মুলত প্রথম গল্পটার নাম। তবে আমার অবশ্য ২য় গল্প 'ইয়ুকো' ই বেশি ভাল লেগেছে। এবার আসি অনুবাদ এর কথায়। এত বাজে অনুবাদ মনে হয় আগে কখনো পড়িনি। অবাঞ্ছিত এমন কিছু ইংরেজি শব্দের ব্যবহার করেছেন যেগুলো সহজেই সুন্দর বাংলায় লেখা যেত। আর গল্পের সময়কাল এর সাথে অনুবাদ এর ভাষার ধরনটাও ঠিক যায় না। গল্প ভাল না হলে অনুবাদ এর ভাষার মধ্যে এমন কোনো গুন ছিল না যে পাঠককে পড়া চালিয়ে যেতে উদ্বুদ্ধ করবে। এই ৩ তারা একান্তই গল্পের জন্য। অনুবাদ এর জন্য পারলে -৩ তারা দিতাম।
Summer, Fireworks, and My Corpse is a collection of three horror stories by the Japanese author Otsuichi. The book showcases Otsuichi’s talent for creating creepy and unsettling scenarios with simple and concise prose. It contains three stories, but I’m only interested in the title story. It is a how-to-get-away-with-murder tale narrated by the victim, or to be more specific, her dead body. This strange method creates a sense of irony, suspense, and horror, as the reader knows more than the characters and witnesses their mistakes and lies. The story also challenges the reader’s expectations and sympathy, as the narrator is not a typical victim, but a sarcastic and cynical observer who sometimes mocks her own death and the people around her. It is a clever and creative example of psychological horror with twisted twists, exploring the dark side of human nature.
However, the story also reveals the author’s youth and inexperience, as some of the methods are quite illogical. For example, hiding a dead body in your room in a hot summer would be impossible to conceal the smell. Otsuichi wrote this as his debut when he was 16 in 1996, so I can’t be too harsh on his mistakes. Normally, I’d rate this two stars, but considering his age and year of writing, I’ll give it a three.
¡Me encantó! Le doy 4 estrellas porque creo que la última historia pudo ser mucho más corta y hay algunos cabos que hasta el final no sé si me encantó como se ataron. Un autor que no se tienta el corazón para contarte una historia desde el punto de vista del cadáver de una niña, tener personajes verdaderamente retorcidos, dar unas vueltas de tuerca inesperadas y macabras y describir con la mayor naturalidad tripas que acaban colgando de las heridas de sus personajes. El libro cuenta con tres historias: -Summer, fireworks and my corpse -Yuko -Black fairy tale Las tres son buenas, pero Yuko quizá fue mi favorita. Pensé que sabía perfecto por dónde iba a ir esa historia (que además tiene unas muñecas/maniquíes bastantes siniestros) y el final me sorprendió. Muy recomendable.
“The narrative effect for Western readers might be reminiscent of Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones, although Otsuichi created his murdered child narrator at least five years prior to Sebold.”
Narrated a young girl just 9 years old, who met her death when she ‘fell’ out of a tree this is a wonderful thrilling tale from rural Japan. The innocence of childhood is exposed as Satsuki’s death is concealed by her classmate, Yayoi, and Yayoi’s older brother Ken.
Initially, they hide the body to prevent upset to the girl’s mother, but once their deceit begins, it snowballs into a conspiracy that has a momentum of its own.
It throws light on how kids can manipulate themselves into hiding the death of a friend. The story has elements of suspense and danger. Their actions are never discussed between themselves and their motivation is never clear other than Yayoi’s brief jealous rage and continued guilt.
A short story with far-reaching emotional impact.
I have an increasing respect for Japanese literature and remain grateful for the clear and readable translations that bring these works into my understanding. I have found another bright writer who in this story has brought me joy and a lasting appreciation.
Ủa ngắn ngắn vậy mà hay nè, mười sáu tuổi mà viết được vầy là rất giỏi. • Tui luôn thích một Otsuichi như thế này, cứ sở trường của mình mà viết, đừng lao vào những thứ khác đi rồi mờ nhạt.
Sau khi đọc một ngàn thể loại horror Nhật thì mình đã ko ngạc nhiên với kiểu plot này nữa, cái làm mình ngạc nhiên là ông Otsuichi viết quyển này năm 16 tuổi và đạt giải năm 17 tuổi =)))))) Má năm 16 tôi còn điên cuồng cày view cho idol, rấm rứt khóc khi đọc fic, ăn cơm phải mở Doraemon xem mà người ta đã đi viết truyện kinh dị và giật giải rồi =)))))
Mà ông Otsuichi trung thành với style tâm bất biến giữa dòng đời vạn biến thật =))) Giọng kể lạnh tanh kiểu tất cả là phù du =))) bởi nên Calling you và Hạnh ngộ trong bóng tối là 2 cuốn hiếm hoi thấy sự dịu dàng của ổng :)))
This book contains three stories of differing lengths. The title story concerns the killing of a nine year-old girl and subsequent cover-up by the boy and girl she thought were her friends. The added twist is that the story is told by the victim all the way through, even after her death. I found it a little implausible that two kids could outwit the police (and others, though this is partly explained in the end) for so long, but the suspense is genuine as they come close to getting caught again and again.
"Yuko" is the shortest story and is about a housekeeper who works for a kind but eccentric man who won't let her go into one of the rooms, where his ill wife resides. After a while, she begins to suspect that there is no wife, but the truth about the events that unfold are not what she (or the reader) will expect.
"Black Fairy Tale" is a short novel (a little over 200 pages) about a teen-aged girl who receives an eye transplant, and starts to see visions. She soon realizes that she is experiencing the memories of the eye's previous owner, and finds herself immersed in a mystery involving a missing girl and a writer with a disturbing power. This story is not for the faint-hearted. A black fairy tale, indeed.
This review will be difficult without revealing anything. I will be reviewing three stories…
I don’t know how and when I came across this book, but I read it anyway – it was just eerie how the book ended up in my hands. Onwards, I don’t regret reading it. It was just… perfect. I have admit that there were some parts that uninterested me, nonetheless the very, very detailed and atmospheric parts compensated for it. The stories were so disturbing and twistingly beautiful, so much that throughout the book I was disturbed, tense, gloomy, and even scared. The book has a random selection of two Novellas, ‘Summer Fireworks and my Corpse,’ and ‘Black Fairy Tale.’ Furthermore, the book also contains a short story called ‘Yuko’. I enjoyed all – especially the two Novellas.
Summer Fireworks and my Corpse, about how powerful emotions – in this case jealousy – can lead to the main protagonists death, her murder had occurred on I believe to be page 17. This story is very different for obvious reasons – the first is the fact that she is dead, and thoughts flooded my mind like, “Well this isn't going to have a good ending, she’s dead!” Still I found myself hoping for the situation to be resolved even though she can’t be revived.The second thing that makes this different it that it’s from a dead girl’s perspective! She is written just as an onlooker like any other reader reading this, including me. This brings the character closer to us, so you experience more emotions. I was so frustrated when her body was almost found (happens on many occasions), it’s tense as well. And the last thing that makes this story different is the end. That is all I will say.
Yuko. A short-story good, but not my favourite. At first I thought I was going to be disappointed but I wasn't. It is creepy, and disturbing. The whole tone of the story is quietly normal, and something very dark. A very quick read, and I recommend not skipping it, because the end is just one big, giant twist that will make you look back in the story in your head, even though you may have predicted something. At the beginning I was like “Okay, it’s too normal, something obviously is happening.” Then as the story progresses it changes.In the end, puzzles will be completed, questions asked. It was very good.
Finally, My favourite, Black Fairy Tale. It is confusing at first but fits together like a puzzle, which is interesting. It is a story of three stories that entwine together. I am at a loss for words because of this, and the fact that it was the most disturbing story I have ever come across. The only words that come to mind are, “Well this is a tinge disturbing. What am I reading?” It presents darkness all throughout the story, and this scared me the most. It was too disturbing, so detailed, so much that it creates and image in your head like you’re just watching it but as a film.
Overall this is a brilliant book that exceeded any suspicions and expectations.
Well, that was fun :) I especially loved the title story, which was wickedly funny. The second story was more in the three star range but still pretty interesting.
With Black Fairy Tale, I found myself thinking of the 1993 film Boxing Helena and then my mind wandered from that and I started wondering how much of the torso has to survive in order for a person to survive. Does it have to be below the waist or can the intestines be moved up higher into the body cavity? So now everyone knows a bit about the way my brain works and a whole lot more about this book. Especially if you've actually seen Boxing Helena.
I enjoyed the whole thing but the title story is the only one I would be tempted to reread. There were gruesome parts, although I'm only remembering them in Black Fairy Tale, but it wasn't 100% of the time. Still, if gruesome isn't your thing, I don't think I would read this. If you like horror and you can overlook the gruesome qualities, then this is one hell of a lot of fun.
I'm glad that the Corpse story was a quick read. Having explored the author's other works, I kinda knew that . I don't have anything against themes like this, but the evil here just seems so banal. I was hoping for something more inspired.
There is no one here to really root for either and despite what Barzak said in the Introduction, the leads are simply odious. I knew I had to finish this book in one sitting or I most likely won't pick it up again.
I have to say though - the conclusion looks promising. A viper's nest like that won't stand for very long. In the end something is definitely gonna give, and who can say where the blow will strike?
Now, the Yuko story is a hypnotic beaut, and is miles better. An accursed family, poison, delirium, broken mirrors and creepy dolls - it has all the elements for a right proper gothic tale. Too bad it's shorter than the first one, but at least it delivers.
Arrived here following a friend’s recommendation and was completely knocked out by this short collection. ‘Summer, Fireworks, and My Corpse’ is narrated by the dead body that two kids are trying to dispose of. It’s a fascinating story with a totally surprising end that really caught me out. Yuko, the second story is less interesting, but the final longer story, Black Fairy Tale, ramps up the creepiness to new levels. Great read!
This one fell short for me. Perhaps because I readZOO first and loved it. I didn't connect to the characters as I did in ZOO, so the stories did nothing for me, not even the most talked about story, 'Black Fairy Tale.' The beginning of the story was marvelous, then I got bored.
I didn’t know anything about this book and honestly I only bought it as it was by a Japanese author and I’m always looking for new ones to read. I’m not hugely into horror books, short stories aren’t my thing and the cover wasn’t that exciting either. I really, really wasn’t feeling enthusiastic when I picked this up to read a little. What a pleasant, dark, twisted surprise. The first story told from the point of view of a murdered 9 year old girl was very original. The factual and emotionless telling of her story was something unexpected. The second and shortest was the most slight, but still enjoyable. The third is virtually a novel in itself and so dark, disturbing, creepy, compelling. I am so glad I picked this up and I’ll definitely be reading this author again.
বইয়ে ২ টা গল্প রয়েছে। দুইটাই অদ্ভুত। ফ্যান্টাসি ফিকশন। কাহিনী বাঁক নেবার আগে ধারণা করাও যায়নি কি ঘটতে যাচ্ছে। যদিও প্রথম লেখায় গল্পের অনেক ভুল/ফাঁকফোকর ধরা যাবে। তারপরও গল্পটায় নতুনত্ব ���ছে। সবচেয়ে অবাক হলাম যখন জানলাম লেখক এই বইটি তার হাইস্কুল শেষ করার আগেই লিখেছেন। এত অল্প বয়সে কোন লেখকের এমন গল্প লেখা আজ অব্দি পড়েছি বলে মনে হয়না। যেহেতু ইদানিং জাপানি ��াহিত্যের প্রতি আগ্রহ বেড়েছে। আর এই জনরা আমার পছন্দের, সেহেতু লেখকের লেখা ভবিষ্যতে আরো পড়ার ইচ্ছা রাখি। গল্পে ফাঁকফোকর থাকায় ৩.৫ দিতে চেয়েছিলাম। অনুবাদ ভাল হয়েছে।
Summer, Fireworks and My Corpse I really liked this one. A story about murder narrated by the dead child herself, the horror was very subtle with hints of black humor. This story made me realize how jealousy can lead even children to commit such crimes. The ending was predictable and creepy but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Yuko This is the shortest story in the book with a lot of creepy dolls. Just as you think you've figured the story out, it throws another twist at you. Not my favorite one, still a good story.
Black Fairy Tale This story stole the show, I loved it! This one is primarily about a teenage girl who gets an eye transplant and starts seeing the memories of the previous owner captured in that eye. Losing all her memory after the accident, the girl enjoys the short episodes of the memories captured in the eye, but she gets more than she bargained for... This is my favorite among all three stories in the books. It was absolutely gripping, loved the sinister vibes we get throughout the story, very twisted, and will definitely make you cringe.
Đây là một tập truyện ngắn, gồm có 2 truyện, được tác giả viết khi chỉ mới 16 tuổi. Hèn chi khi đọc mình có cảm giác "sáng" thế, không u ám nặng nề như Zoo hay là Đồng thoại đen
Câu chuyện đầu tiên, Mùa hè, pháo hoa và xác chết của tôi có cách kể chuyện thật độc đáo, với điểm nhìn từ một xác chết. Chuyện kể về cái chết bất ngờ của "tôi" - tức Satsuki - và quá trình giấu giếm xác chết của hai anh em Ken và Yayoi. Chúng đã mấy lần suýt bị phát hiện khi đang giấu xác chết, nhưng rồi nhờ may mắn cũng như sự ứng biến nhanh nhạy lạ lùng của Ken mà lần nào cũng thoát nạn. Phút cuối, chúng tưởng đâu đã lộ tẩy và bị phanh phui tội lỗi này, nhưng rồi cũng vượt qua. Đọc khá cuốn, mình cứ hồi hộp theo dõi từng bước hành động của hai đứa nhỏ qua lời kể dửng dưng lạnh lẽo của cái xác Satsuki, khá là hay.
Nhưng câu chuyện thứ 2 thì mình không thích lắm. Giả định về thứ quả độc belladonna nghe nó cứ ngang ngang và không hợp lí thế nào đó. Nhưng thôi, tác giả khi ấy vẫn còn trẻ, không mắc lỗi mới là bất thường chứ có lỗi thì thông cảm được hehe 😁 ----- Btw, bạn nào muốn mua sách đẹp với giá hợp lý thì ghé page mình xem nha :") facebook.com/hieusachcuaGaby ❤
I looked through a Japanese Horror stories list and came across this and decided to give it a go. The book has three stories, but I decided to read the title story only, and wasn't disappointed! The story is told by the corpse of a little girl. Interesting angle on things. Lots of fun suspense regarding how these kids are trying to hide/dispose the body. I have to say, I didn't see that ending coming at all! Also cool to learn more things about the Japanese culture.
The first half of this book wasn't great. Black Fairy Tale made up for it all, as well as Otsuichi's always entertaining 'afterward'. If you want to read something beyond fucked up, Black Fairy Tale is where it's at.
Dwie historie z dreszczykiem, jedna z faktycznym, druga z trochę naciąganym. Tytułowe opowiadanie prezentowane jest z perspektywy również tytułowych zwłok, co już jest ciekawym zabiegiem. Dodam do tego zwroty akcji, dziecięcą pomysłowość i dziecięce okrucieństwo, wreszcie całkowicie zaskakujące zakończenie, które mnie - dosłownie - zmroziło. Językowo jest tu dość przeciętnie, ale w sposób uzasadniony, no i budowanie napięcia jest jednak ważniejsze. Drugie opowiadanie, "Yuko", trochę mniej mi się podobało, chociaż i tak się bałam, bo od dzieciństwa dziwnie reaguję na lalki.
Zaskakujące to maleństwo ze świetnym tytułem. Nie żałuję lektury.