This book stars a nameless writer who seems to spend most of his time hopping from bed to bed with various women indulging in sexual pleasure but trying to keep from become overly attached to any one woman. We learn early on in the book that the man had been married for a number of years to one woman named Keiko, bu there was a large black mark on their relationship because the man expects that Keiko cheated on him at some point. This friend, who is also a writer, later asks the man to write a series of articles for a magazine, but it does not seem that the man ever actually writes the articles. The main focus of this book is the man's several sexual partners, including Maki, Takako, and Natsue. Maki is a lesbian who normally finds all men repellent, Takako is a woman who was the writer's on again off again lover, and Natsue who at first filled the same role as Takako but became more to the writer. Many will probably find the writer's actions towards his lovers quite disturbing. His first night with Mika seemed more like rape than sex even if the girl acquised. Oh and he and Natsue play out scenes from the _Story of O_ You have been warned.

I read this book back in high school and read it again after college when I was better able to understand the narrator's perspective. It's basically erotic existentialism, if you will, and is almost an education in how the small decisions we make in life can affect or inform the larger ones. How does a person assume full responsibility for his acts of free will when he doesn't know whether his acts are right or wrong? It also dwells on one's lack of control over other people and certain situations. I don't want to say too much or else I will give away too much. If you've ever seen "Woman in the Dunes" or "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" then you may understand what I mean to some extent. Highly recommended.

I first glanced this novel about 6 years ago.. 6 years later I have passed this book on to many. Its hard to sit through, some of the ideas are extremely un-nerving.. its not a happy tale, and its not something which at the end will bring you closer to light..

It is in short. a hard truth.. maybe one of despair.. more so.. one of torment and Apathy. Loss is so much of our lives though..