The hole

This was a great audiobook read, very easy to follow. I enjoyed the slow burn. It’s more of a literary horror in that way - also in how unlikeable the protagonist is.

There’s a tension in the book as you learn of Ohgi’s flaws. I think there are readers who will feel he deserves ill treatment. Personally I felt like, ok, he’s not a good guy, but this is too awful.

I wondered whether the story was ableist or not. I think maybe what is ableist about it is the use of paralysis as horror, like how physical difference is often used to frighten in horror - or as a metaphor for internal evil. Ohgi often thinks of his body in negative terms with language of disgust. While that’s probably not inaccurate to the experience of someone newly paralyzed, it’s not balanced by some other perspective here. The tone of the story sort of precludes it. But it’s worth noting that it’s an issue.

I loved the slow reveal of Oghi’s past with his wife. The way you consistently get his self-absorbed view. I thought that was really well done.

Ultimately I don’t know that it brought anything new - I was waiting for something else strange or surprising to happen. Feels like I won’t really remember it in a few weeks!