By Rin Usami.
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“In the same way that a night of sleep put wrinkles in a bedsheet, just being alive took a toll.”
Idol, Burning is a short, unusual story. It is around 100 pages in length and is based on a short period of time, it does lack the traditional, narrative structure. I read this whilst on honeymoon and sat around the pool. It is worth noting that this is a translated book.
The author introduces us to the main character - Akari and guides us through a moment and period in her life where she is held captive by an all-consuming fixation on a singer and actor named Masaki from a J-Pop group. The story takes a dramatic turn when Masaki punches a fan, triggering a scandal that sends Akari spiralling into chaos. Her fervent involvement in the fandom threatens to overtake every other aspect of her existence. However, this portrayal might make the narrative seem more plot-driven than it truly is.
For around 80 pages, we hear about the obsession that Akari has with this person and how her life suddenly stops and she no longer knows how to live, but then the book ends, exactly like that. The book also vaguely gestures towards Akari’s mental health and possible neurodivergence, but never properly discusses it.
I’m glad this was only 100 pages and I read it whilst around the pool, I think my take on the book would be much different if I knew more about the culture and the fandom of J-Pop. Overall, it was a quick, and easy read but not one that I’ll remember forever.
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