Reaal World, Indeed!

Natsuo Kirino is back! She’s a Japanese author who writes mystery/suspense/social commentary/feminist manifesto sorts of books. Her latest effort translated into English is “Real World,” and like “Out,” which I also enjoyed immensely, it grabs you by the throat and won’t let you go until you’ve finished it. This time, a high school girl “witnesses” a neighbor boy murdering his mother. She and three of her friends get entangled with the young man’s flight from justice, and in the process we get to see into each of their own “real worlds.” Strange, disturbing, but very difficult to put down.