Thanks to NetGalley for this review copy!

THE FETISHIST is a novel by Katherine Min, a Korean American author who passed away in 2019. The book, which will be published posthumously in 2024, tells the story of Kyoko, a young woman who seeks revenge on Daniel, a violinist who had an affair with her mother, Emi, and allegedly caused her suicide. Kyoko’s plan goes wrong from the start, and she finds herself in a twisted relationship with Daniel, who has a fetish for Asian women. The novel is a dark comedy that explores the themes of race, gender, identity, and fetishization with humor and sharp insight.

This is a provocative and poignant work that challenges the stereotypes and power dynamics that shape Asian femininity and anti-Asian racism. It is also a testament to Min’s talent and vision as a writer who was able to craft a compelling and timely story before her untimely death. THE FETISHIST is a book that will make you laugh, cry, and think.

Min portrays Kyoko as a complex and conflicted character, who struggles with her Asian American identity and her resentment towards Daniel, who represents the white male gaze that objectifies and exoticizes Asian women. Kyoko also has a fetish for violins, which symbolizes her connection to her mother and her desire for artistic expression. Daniel, on the other hand, is a pathetic and oblivious figure, who fails to recognize his own privilege and prejudice. Alma, a woman who suffers from a terminal illness, is also a victim of Daniel’s neglect and infidelity.

The novel is written with Min’s signature style of sharp wit, vivid imagery, and poignant emotion. She captures the nuances of Kyoko’s voice and perspective, as well as the dynamics of the relationships between the characters. She also injects humor and irony into the narrative, which balances the dark and tragic aspects of the story. The novel is a testament to Min’s talent and vision, which sadly was cut short by her death in 2019. THE FETISHIST is a brilliantly conceived story that is relevant to today’s world.

To illustrate some of the novel’s themes and insights, here are some quotes from the book:

“Daniel experienced the peculiar brand of despair that comes from getting what you wanted the second you realize you don’t want it anymore, and worse, he realized that he had never really wanted it in the first place, and that he hadn’t wanted the same thing the last time either…”

“It made Kyoko furious that this was the moment that kept returning to her, that the memory of her mother dead had become more vivid for her than any memory of her alive.”

(Daniel) “had always loved music more than anything else in the world. More than his wife, more than his daughter, more than himself. Music was his escape, his salvation, his addiction.”

Rickey’s thoughts on Alma: “…most beautiful things could seem freakish, even ugly, from certain angles, because beauty was strange and singular and often unsettling.”

Daniel’s thoughts on Alma: :…Alma’s beauty seemed apiece with the music she made, as ravishing as any work of art Daniel had encountered in Florence – any Madonna, Venus, or Magdalene. More than any musician he knew, Alma could seduce you, tease you into rapt attention, and beyond, to an ardent, prolonged arousal.”

“But in spite of her cuteness, her size (5’ 3”, 103 lbs) and her age (23), Kyoko’s life had been deformed by grief, in turn, twisted to hate, hate hammered to anger, until the anger, the hate, and the grief had been grotesquely fused. Kyoko believed that violence would alleviate all three. In fact, she had bet on it.”

I found this novel to be captivating and thought-provoking. It was easy to be drawn into Kyoko’s journey of revenge and self-discovery, as well as the other characters’ struggles and secrets. I admired Min’s skillful storytelling and powerful language, which made me laugh, cry, and reflect. I also appreciated how she addressed the issues of racism and sexism that affect Asian women in particular, and how she challenged the stereotypes and expectations that society imposes on them. I was extremely impressed with the author’s use of uncommon vocabulary and the intimate knowledge of classical music and the singular people who wield their instruments. This novel is an important and timely contribution to contemporary literature, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys dark comedy, complex characters, and social commentary.

Want your own copy? You can pick it up here.