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If I had to categorize this book somehow, I'd call it quiet, understated horror. There's elements of mystery, of horror, of science-fiction, even of romance maybe, but it's not entirely any of those. And like the other two books of Riku Onda I have read so far, the ending resolves nothing. Maybe don't read this book if an open, vague ending bothers you.
Through the narrative, some complex themes emerge: Self and identity. Being part of the majority or being ostracised. Free will. Human adaptability. What is considered normal. Pivotal moments in someone's life, or everyone's life. Needing to know and explain the truth, or just accepting it. These are all touched upon lightly, and the reader can choose to dwell on them or just keep reading.
The characters are well-rounded and we spend time in everyone's head, get to see their world-view, their shifting views on what is going on around them, their past and their desires.
The water is another major character. The novel takes place in a town criss-crossed by canals, and those canals seem to have a life and agency of their own. With rain constantly coming down, all scenes are gray and humid, and the presence of water is inescapable.
There is a very particular atmosphere to be found in Onda's works, a certain slowness and focus on little details, on sensations rather than facts, a vague sense of mystery that will stay on even after the book is over. For those like me who enjoy such an atmosphere, this is a book to be savoured slowly.