Macabre Consequences
Thanks for reading the first themed book/manga review!
In these two books, there are extremely dire consequences for events surrounding a person or group of people. Well-intentioned people stumble into situations that alter their lives forever, often blindsiding the innocent people forced to live with a new way of life.
The Radium Girls
The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women by Kate Moore is a non-fiction book that has been around for a little while. This amazing book gives an account of women working in factories around the 1920’s who ended up getting radium poisoning due to their working conditions.
This book’s historical but charismatic voice makes this read easy, but the descriptions of the women’s afflictions and fatal consequences of radioactive poisoning is not for the faint of heart. There are even images contained in this book showing some of the disturbing illnesses and conditions that arose from their condition.
However, this book was not disturbing just to get a reaction out of readers. It is very clear these vivid macabre details are necessary to genuinely understand the pain and suffering these women endured. These details add great humanity and strength to these women’s stories.
Tokyo Ghoul (manga series)
The Tokyo Ghoul series of manga authored by Sui Ishida in some ways is a good partner to anyone who liked the macabre accounts in Moore’s non-fiction book. The protagonist in this fiction work is named Ken Kaneki, and he is just a normal human until he suffers from an accident.
He awakens after surgery to find himself a ghoul. In Ishida’s world, ghouls are a species apart from humans. They are more powerful than humans, but the catch is the only thing they can eat and derive sustenance from is human flesh. Therefore, poor Kaneki awakens to find himself no longer human and having to learn the ropes of his new existence. An existence he never was interested in and did not consent to.
This series is also not for the faint of heart. In some ways this series seems like it is about cannibalism (though not really, since these are “ghouls” not “humans” eating flesh) but the visual is still the same since ghouls look like humans. In addition, there is a good deal of violence here. This violence is arguably used in the plot to enhance and validate Kaneki’s confusion and inability to embrace his new (and terrifying) condition.
However, the true essence of this fictional work is exploring the horrifying turns of a new life, and learning the new rules his body imposes on him while the protagonist explores new societal expectations.
How These Works Are Related
The obvious thread between Moore and Ishida is that these stories are grisly accounts of people trying to inhabit a body that is no longer wholly their own. Moore displays the strength of resilience, Ishida demonstrates strength through adaptation.
All in all, both of these works are a great read for people who aren’t faint of heart. As always, leave comments and suggestions for more posts!
And as always, remember I do not own these materials and I am not sponsored or paid in any way for my reviews. Thanks!
