Review: Hunchback by Saou Ichikawa

Japan's most prevalent disability fiction and award winning short story

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@shereadsbooks.somtimes

Dates read: 15/06/25 to 16/06/25

Word to describe: Unique

Star rating:⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Contemporary fiction.

Hunchback is one of those books that seems to haunt you. The plot itself is not particularly fascinating but the social commentary and personification of the author's life into the book makes it such a masterpiece of fiction. Main character Izawa Shaka is a disabled middle-aged woman living in a care facility, she myotubular myopathy - a rare genetic disorder that causes muscle atrophy and delayed bone development - and is partially dependant on her carers to help with her day to day life, bathing, food preparation etc. She has a S curved spine and frequently makes commentary on her difficulty moving, breathing, and being comfortable in her own body. She calls herself "the hunchbacked monster" as a satirical and self-demonising nickname that comes across as less of a pity maker and more of a fuck you to society.

Izawa's character is witty, sarcastic, and provocative. Her commentary on disability is fresh and awe-worthy, diving deep into ableism Saou Ichikawa is able to use her bitterly funny character to tear aside societies norm and pave way for the unlikely - in this case a middle-aged virgin with a twisted spine and the mind of a pornstar. It poses the thought that is repeated throughout the book disabled people are not allowed to be viewed as sexual beings by society, yet as Izawa's character proves an able body is not the blueprint for sexual encounters.

In her own mind Izawa has an able body, she years for the ability to walk, and go book shopping, to be able to have sexual relationships and often fantasises about being able to get pregnant and have an abortion because she simply could. She views having an abortion as simultaneously a way to make herself whole by imitating the mundane lives of the women around her, and also as a fuck-you to the able bodies which abort foetuses with genetic abnormalities. She envisions rough sex and breakups and reimagines herself in a parallel life spending her money on frivolous things and living as "a normal person".

Trapped due to her disability Izawa pushes all these desires into the short stories she publishes online as pornographic fiction. The stories mimic those of wattpad style writing (ifykyk) by teens also exploring their sexuality, the writing is cliche with large chested young women being fawned over by rich old men. The stories are quick and filthy, and Izawa (having never had sex before) uses it as her own form of sexual release. Knowing she will never experience the desires her characters have she pours herself into the story and envisions herself as her characters whilst iterating that she is simply a "middle-aged, severely disabled virgin".

As the story develops the readers absorb this deep sense of injustice that Izawa Shaka is feeling, her hatred for the world and in turn her own body is acrid and fascinating. She curses readers for being able to hold books, and the others in her care facility for being able to move freely, she curses herself for her parents inheritance which leaves her with more money that she will ever be able to use freely. Izawa gives an insight into life as someone who is disabled with this bitter yet fresh perspective of yearning for something that will never be physically possible, and it is devastating. There is also a sense of hatred towards people that are able bodied for being able to exist without Izawa's daily struggle. Yet at the same time, a lot of Izawa's self-deprecating comments border on sarcasm and ironic as her hatred for her own disability is only a reflection of her hatred for others being able to do what she cannot.

One of Izawa's carers is a bitter man, Tanaka, and Izawa despite her initial wariness becomes fascinated by him. Fantasizing about having sex with him, and him killing her in the process, she envisions her spine breaking as she is being penetrated and choking on his semen during oral sex. He baths her in another carer's absence and inwardly Izawa fantasises about the bathing being a sexual encounter. Her desire to be touched leaves her contemplating asking Tanaka to prostitute himself for her.

Without spoiling the ending, Hunchback by Saou Ichikawa is certainly a unique and worthwhile read. For the witty social commentary and the multitude character of Izawa Shaka.