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Review of the Japanese Mystery Novel "Elephant Head"

Machine translated

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I started reading this after seeing a recommendation on Bullpen.
The plot follows a psychiatrist, the protagonist, as he uncovers the truth behind mysterious incidents that occur after he administers an unidentified drug.
The book begins from the perspective of a character other than the protagonist, leaving a strong impression before ending that segment;
it then shifts to the protagonist's perspective. If you don't get flustered by the preceding content and keep reading, you will understand the meaning of that initial ending halfway through the book.
In other words, the main story doesn't really get underway until around page 250.
A unique feature of this novel and what sets it apart from other mystery novels is
that it incorporates quantum mechanics theory to develop its core content. Even for someone like me who isn't well-versed in science, the book explains the phenomena and laws of its world in a way that is somewhat understandable, and uses this to create unique tricks.
Furthermore, it provides meticulous evidence for its deductions, explaining physical laws and even introducing mathematical formulas and functions.
As for the downsides, I feel that the plausibility of the characters was sacrificed too much for the sake of the tricks and twists.
For example, there were scenes where characters spoke about digging their own graves right in front of others, or a wealthy child being in a relationship with someone completely incomprehensible; the motives for murder were also hard to grasp, and despite showing deductive reasoning that would put Holmes or Poirot to shame, the characters failed to even grasp basic interpersonal relationships. There were many such irritating points.
Additionally, the process of revealing the tricks and twists in the latter half drags on too much, making the reader feel exhausted.
Just when you think a problem has been resolved,

it follows a development like this:
And just when you think, "Ah, I see. The answer wasn't that, it was this!"

another one comes out, so regardless of the tricks or twists, it was just tiring to read.
Oh, and this novel contains scenes that cause significant discomfort (depictions of deviant sexual desires such as same-sex rape and incest),
so if you are someone who wants to avoid such content, please skip it.
I believe the level of unpleasantness is not just one step, but two steps higher than [The Serial Killer's Disease].
So, my final thoughts are:
While I highly value the originality of the world-building and subject matter, the lack of plausibility in the characters' words and actions was bothersome.
The excessive effort put into the late-stage tricks and twists, using a "it doesn't end here" style of development, failed to spark curiosity or fresh shock and instead felt like a flaw, so I wouldn't specifically recommend it.
However, if you are someone who enjoys the freshness of unique subject matter that differs from traditional mystery novels,
loves twist after twist after twist, and has a high tolerance for disgusting content, you might find it worth reading.

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