‘Am I a Cyclopian monster?’ How masked writer Uketsu went from asparagus videos to literary sensation
He gained fame in Japan posting surreal videos of meat, veg and even ears. Then he tried writing – and soon had three bestsellers in the Top 10. As one now reaches the English-speaking world, we meet the faceless phenomenon
Hidden behind a white papier-mache mask, wearing a black bodysuit and with a voice modulated to sound something like a little girl’s, is Japan’s latest literary superstar. Almost nothing is known about Uketsu – a made-up name that means “rain hole” – who first gained fame posting surreal videos on YouTube: clips of asparagus that turns into fingers when chopped; strips of meat pegged out on a washing line; eight ears spinning on a wheel.
Then, in 2020, Uketsu posted a 21-minute mystery story based on a series of floor plans, and was told he should turn it into a novel. Since then, his books have become blockbusters in Japan: three of the country’s Top 10 fiction bestsellers last year were by him. Now the first of his novels to have been translated into English, Strange Pictures, has come out in the UK and the US, and Uketsu has agreed to speak to me about it on Zoom.
Continue reading...
Read more at The Guardian
-
How DeepSeek Went From Stock Trader to A.I. Star
The little-known artificial intelligence firm has emphasized research, even as it emerged as the brainchild of a hedge fund.The New York Times - 8h -
‘I couldn’t let this monster get away with it’: how I survived rape – and sent my attacker to prison
Paula Doyle was raped by a man she had known for years. It took five painful years for the case to come to trial, but she was determined to fight for justice. It was Paula Doyle’s best friend who ...The Guardian - 19h -
How Liam Coen went from staying in Tampa Bay to becoming Jacksonville's head coach in 48 hours
In the 24 hours that saw Coen go from highest-paid coordinator to head coach, one team was left in the dark and the other found its match.ESPN - 2d -
‘It was pure accident’: how Chase UK’s boss went from communist Poland to Wall Street banking … via linguistics
Having left the library behind, the once budding academic talks about building JP Morgan’s UK digital lender from scratch. It all started in spring 2019, in a secret office on the seventh floor of ...The Guardian - Jan. 21 -
How the Australian Open went from 'the other Slam' to the highest attendance of any major
The Australian Open was once "the other Slam," and a major only by name. Then everything changed.ESPN - Jan. 20 -
‘I am afraid to push the system for an answer’: I’m a firefighter, 57, from Oklahoma. If I die, will my husband be denied my pension?
“As you can probably guess, firefighters in same-sex relationships are not that common in Oklahoma.”MarketWatch - Jan. 18 -
How to Download Your Videos From TikTok
With a TikTok ban looming in the United States and the app’s future unknown, now might be a good time to save your work while you can.The New York Times - Jan. 15 -
‘I was drenched in painting’: how Jake Grewal’s nudes in nature caused a sensation
His dreamy, mysterious landscapes populated by naked figures have made him a rising star of the art world. But the young artist says he’s still figuring things out. . . . When Luca Guadagnino began ...The Guardian - Jan. 7
More from The Guardian
-
India crowd crushes: dozens feared dead at Kumbh Mela religious festival – latest updates
Pilgrims are desperately searching for missing loved ones after deadly crushes in Prayagraj where world’s largest religious gathering is taking place . Dozens feared dead in India at Kumbh Mela ...The Guardian - 15m -
UN aid agencies cut back operations after Trump’s 90-day funding suspension
Exclusive: UNHCR chief orders clampdown on spending, including 90-day delay in ordering new supplies and hiring freeze. UN agencies have begun cutting back their global aid operations following the ...The Guardian - 5h -
Trump invites Netanyahu to be first foreign leader to visit White House
President makes major concession to Israeli PM, US ally who is wanted by international court for war crimes. Donald Trump has invited Benjamin Netanyahu to be the first foreign leader to visit the ...The Guardian - 4h -
Former OpenAI safety researcher brands pace of AI development ‘terrifying’
Steven Adler expresses concern industry taking ‘very risky gamble’ and raises doubts about future of humanity. A former safety researcher at OpenAI says he is “pretty terrified” about the pace of ...The Guardian - 10h -
Orcas hunt great white sharks in Australian waters and eat their livers, 50cm bite mark confirms
Behaviour of ‘remarkable predators’ also seen off coast of South Africa could affect ecosystem, researchers say. Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news ...The Guardian - 1h
More in World
-
India crowd crushes: dozens feared dead at Kumbh Mela religious festival – latest updates
Pilgrims are desperately searching for missing loved ones after deadly crushes in Prayagraj where world’s largest religious gathering is taking place . Dozens feared dead in India at Kumbh Mela ...The Guardian - 15m -
Sri Lanka v Australia: first men’s cricket Test, day one – live
Updates from the opening day of the first Test in Galle Travis Head makes blazing fifty after Konstas dropped Any thoughts? Email Angus Final XIs have been confirmed and it’s a case of ‘Come ...The Guardian - 15m -
Picture prefect: Japanese city deploys guards to control unruly tourists seeking perfect shot
Overseas tourists are blocking roads or walking onto railway tracks in Otaru to capture its views, stoking local resentment and complaints of overtourism. Authorities in Japan are stepping up ...The Guardian - 19m -
Federal Reserve set to repel Donald Trump’s calls for deep rate cuts
Economists warn that political meddling in monetary policy ‘can often go very badly’Financial Times - 45m -
An insider guide to Miami’s craft cocktail scene
Meet the new wave of bartenders shaking things up in the Magic CityFinancial Times - 46m