A review by thereadingmum
Real World by Natsuo Kirino

dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Kirino's psychological exploration is fascinating and often spot on. In Real World, she takes on the painfully intricate and terribly complex world of teenage angst.

Each of the girls and Worm are like intense drawings of what I remember goes through a pubescent mind. 

Yet I didn't enjoy this as much as Out and I suspect it's mainly due to the translation. Steven Snyder's translation of Out was much more atmospheric. Philip Gabriel's of Real World is too American and casual. 

It was not as creepy or scary as Out though I would argue the egocentricity of teenagers can be terrifying, I was not on edge like I was with the climatic scene in Out.