Book Review: Goth by Otsuichi

This short story collection is one for those of us who enjoy reading about serial killers (I had initially written “this one is for serial killer fans” and then I was like “no one is actually a FAN of serial killers, for heavens sake”) But yeah, this shit be DARK.

“She thought I wanted to pick her up. All I really wanted to do was kill her and take her picture.”

Goth is comprised of a series of connected stories focused on Morino, the strangest girl in school, and her classmate, both of whom have a fascination with serial killers. But they don’t want to stop these serial killers, they want to understand them.

If you’re like me, when you think of Japanese horror you think of Samara from The Ring - the genre is known for being disturbing as hell, mostly supernatural etc. This collection is a little different. Don’t worry, Goth is still pretty freakin’ unsettling, but it’s rooted in reality. There are no supernatural aspects, apart from the fact that this town - and one character in particular - just seems to attract serial killers!

It gets pretty grisly at times, there’s mutilation and some animal death, so beware if you like to avoid those kinds of stories! One story in particular, called Dog, really stood out for me. I was completely blindsided and thoroughly impressed by how Otsuichi executed that one!

In the afterword, Otsuichi discusses his work. He’s surprisingly funny given how violent and disturbing his writing is, so that was a nice way to round off what was an overwhelmingly unsettling and grisly experience.

I would certainly recommend if you’re looking for some translated horror - I for one will be reading more from this author! 3.5 stars.

Johann

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