In this episode of Books, Baby!, Ian, Bev, and Alo dive into Saou Ichikawa’s haunting novel Hunchback. With its fragmented storytelling and stark lyricism, the book offers an unflinching look at the intersections of embodiment, shame, desire, and intimacy. The hosts unpack how Ichikawa captures the vulnerability of inhabiting a body that exists outside of societal ideals, while also carving out space for tenderness and connection.

Their discussion highlights the way Hunchback brings disabled experiences and desires into focus, expanding what is often represented in contemporary literature in translation.

Books mentioned in this episode:

• ​When the cranes fly south - Lisa Ridzén
• ​They came to slay: The Queer culture of D&D - Thom James Carter
• ​The las one - Fatima Daas
• ​The white book - Han Kang
• ​Pink Slime - Fernanda Trías
• ​Audition - Katie Kitamura
• ​The land in winter - Andrew Miller
• ​Flashlight - Susan Choi
• ​Universality - Natasha Brown
• ​Intimacies - Katie Katamura
• ​Tokyo Ueno Station - Miri Yu
• Butter - Asako Yuziki
• Not such thing as an easy job - Kikuko Tsumara
• Just by looking at him - Ryan O'Connell
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Connect with us via email (⁠booksbabypod@gmail.com⁠) and on Instagram!

Books, Baby! – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@booksbabypod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Hosts:

Ian – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bookish_ian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bev – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@booksgonewilde⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Alo – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@books.swallows.universe⁠⁠⁠⁠