Book of Human Insects (spoilers)

[David]

I'm now slowly reading the Book of Human Insects. There are 4 chapters. Would love to discuss with others who have or are reading it.

David

[strobe_z]

This is one of my favorite Tezuka stories, so I'm in. How far have you gotten?

[David]

I'm purposely going slowly... just finishing chapter 2. One puzzling thing is the chapter titles. Should I go back and read chapter one thinking about "Spring Cicada"? Should I think about the quality of the bugs themselves or is Tezuka thonking my skull again.?

[strobe_z]

Savour the book chapter by chapter. I read it in French originally (La Femme Insect), but I haven't read it in English yet - curious to see if there's much difference. I don't remember the insect chapter names having any "hidden meanings" but I'm hardly an expert on any of them.

One thing that intrigued me was if copying someone actually amounts to stealing... Toshiko (that's her name, right?) has a talent for copying other talents and surpassing them - but what exactly is it about the experience that leaves the other person empty after the exchange. I know there's a sense of betrayal... but is it really?

[Jeffbert]

I just finished reading my copy; it was too fantastic that anyone could be so good in so many things, not to mention learning them so effortlessly.

[strobe_z]

That's the "insect" part...

Seriously, it's a bit far fetched, I'll admit, however I don't think it takes that much to suspend one's disbelief in this case. There are often people who are better mimics than "true talents". There's a reason that master art forgers are still just criminals - their skill is in the copy, not in the creation. I don't think it's unbelievable that someone would be able to be a great mimic in many fields.

[David]

Chapter Three called Long Horn Beetle, starts with focus on the character named Kabuto.

The name for long horn beetle in Japanese is kabuto mushi. (There is something there. I'm going to look back at the previous chapter titles before moving on.)

There certainly have been notable impostors, like Abagnale immortalized by DiCaprio in Catch me if you Can,
And Demara portrayed by Tony Curtis in The Great Impostor.
Improbable but true. These are geniuses.

Continuing my rambling, it is the succubus while steals ones power and strength.. and so often played by a woman taking from a man.
The Tezuka character has other flaws and makes me think of a variety of psychiatric diagnoses like sociopathic personality disorder, borderline personality or others. Indeed, spending time with these kinds of people leaves one emotionally, if not mentally drained.
I can see it. Not a stretch.

Ok, we have here a comic version of whatever personality disorder is going on but all in the vicinity of what could be true.

David

[Jeffbert]

Hmm; I would not have though even a genius could have so much physically-based talent.

[Deda]

You have to consider the insects the chapter take their name after while reading this. If you go and study them a bit and then read the chapter it adds a third reading to the story, it's quite cool. XD

[strobe_z]

Can you expand on that a bit, Deda? I know hardly anything about insects, but I'm curious to know about the subtle meanings.

[Traveller]

I read this today. I quite liked it, I think I will read it again soon.

The main character is insane and disgusting really, yet its endlessly fascinating to follow her and watch what she does next.