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A Transcendent Detective Novel
Japanese ability alone is insufficient for this book. At times even the internet could not help with the questions that arose when reading it. From the first page to the last, there are hundreds of opportunities to dig deeper into the pedantic depths of this novel. Science, mathematics, music theory, cryptography, history, occultism, and above all, Japanese knowledge, are tested to varying degrees.
At the same time, if the plot is laid bare without the frills of erudition and arcane references, it is not so difficult to parse. As a novice in the realm of detective works, I found myself in the company of our beloved sidekicks, who were equally befuddled by the protagonist. Norimizu is a source of great clarity with his ingenious theories, but the setup leading up to those revelations requires patience and determination to get through.
I think this book is for people who are looking for a challenge and enjoy the experience of coming across the unknown. It's both one of the most impressive works I have ever read and one that I would hesitate to recommend to others. Those who will truly enjoy it are likely to seek it out for themselves.