"Hunchback," a debut prize-winning novel by a female Japanese author, presents the life of Shaka, a narrator living with myotubular myopathy in a care home. The story begins uniquely with fantasies of sex clubs and critiques societal norms surrounding disability in Japan. Shaka's reflections blend aspirations of joy, embodied in her work as a sex journalist, with the harsh realities of her condition. The novel juxtaposes light-hearted themes with darker undertones as Shaka struggles to fulfill her desires and societal acceptance, ultimately offering profound insights into human nature and the value of life's small joys.
Shaka has myotubular myopathy and her life is too, unable to follow the conventions of Japanese society which works on the understanding that disabled people don't exist.
Her work as a sex journalist is not entirely selfless; she donates her earnings for families to have furikake, symbolizing joy and flavor in life.
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