Reread, 2020: You know what? The transparent machinations of the plot are delightful, actually--the way that contrivances of narrative function as part of the deductive-based mystery (and reading through narrative assumptions to what we know of the characters and internal logic is therefore part of the solution) is playful and clever. As that was essentially the only flaw I ever found in these stories, they're even more enjoyable on reread.

(Well, Morino's obliviousness is still ridiculous. But I take that as comic relief, which fits as there's a lot of comic relief in Morino.)


Original review, 2015: Two strange high school students meet over their shared fascination with a local murderer. Goth as a light novel is even better than I expected, and I'm an enthusiastic fan of both the manga and the film. The light novel has more: the strongest atmosphere*, the finest detail, and the most clearly delineated character arcs for both protagonists; it filled in gaps that I didn't know were missing. It's not flawless--the machinations of the plot are often transparent, although the payoff of the solutions are enough to compensate; Morino's character growth has some oversights. But I remain entirely satisfied. All versions of this story are worth exploring, but if you can only have one then the light novel is the best. The English translation is strong (Cunningham's slightly moreso than Allen's), and I appreciate the afterword included my imprint.

* How to describe one of my favorite stories of all time? Goth is macabre, seductive, cold, intimate. It has a stark monochrome aesthetic with the contrast and bloom turned too high: surreal and beautiful, dark and monstrous. There's a surprisingly subtlety in the relationship between the protagonists, despite their inhuman coldness. Otsuichi has superb eye for detail, and so this atmosphere is at its strongest in the light novel--and I love it more than I can possibly describe.