"Nipponia Nippon" by Kazushige Abe,
translated from Japanese into English by Kerim Yasar
I was so discouraged when I started reading this book and realized that it was about an incompetent, sexually frustrated young man, angry at society and willing to solve all of his problems with violence. But! I judged too quickly.
The author makes this story smart and interesting by being subtly critical of the protagonist with his language use. There are twists and turns and reveals and a satisfyingly strange ending. I felt toyed with as the reader, but didn't mind it at all.
I'm really curious about some of the choices the translator made, and wish there was an interview or podcast somewhere about it. For example, the main character's plan to 'exterminate' the hopes and dreams and heritage of the Japanese, as a society, is called "the final solution" throughout the book. Also the importance of the crested ibis' Latin name, the kanji explanations that were vital to the story... An analysis of the translation would be fascinating.