First off, I will admit I grabbed this book in error! I’d read and enjoyed Out by Natsuo Kirino, and wanted to give another of her books a try, but for reasons unexplained, my brain fatigue convinced me Ryu Murakami had written it. Still, it turned out to be a happy mistake, as In The Miso Soup is dark, twisted, and horrific, as it delivers the mental and emotional torment of a man faced with a true psychotic individual.
The story follows Kenji, a young Japanese man who earns his crust by ‘guiding’ foreign visitors around the nightclubs and hostess bars of Tokyo. Now, for those who don’t know, the Japanese have some strange views about hostesses, companions, and sex workers, and Kenji’s ability to assist outsiders to negotiate the murky waters is in demand.
He meets Frank, a seemingly hapless and somewhat bumbling American, when he’s hired by the man for a few nights. As they spend time together, Kenji begins to notice things which are at odds with his client’s seemingly jovial and naïve character.
One of the compelling things about In The Miso Soup is when Kenji starts to suspect Frank isn’t all he seems, the doubt isn’t irrational, and the character suffers with the credibility of his own suspicions. However, the emotional roller coaster becomes ever more twisted and hectic, and when things kick off, the book takes a very dark and surprising turn.
In The Miso Soup has its violent moments, but the true torment is mental, as Kenji tries to carefully pick his way through the perilous situation without allowing things to spiral out of control.
As 2025 draws to a close, this was one of my favourite reads this year!