Book Review: Fool Night

Fool Night
By Kasumi Yasuda
Review by Mida

In a world where clouds have blocked out the sun and most plants have died, humanity has come up with a dark solution to the lack of oxygen – in exchange for 10 million yen, people plant seeds in their bodies which will turn them into fertiliser after two years. After struggling to pay medical bills for his mother, as well as the exorbitant oxygen tax and living expenses, Toshiro Kamiya reaches his breaking point. He undergoes the procedure – but what will he do with the time he has left?

Whoa. This story absolutely blew me away. A chilling vision of what humanities future could hold, where detached governing bodies cross ethical lines, Fool Night blends claustrophobic, grungy cityscapes with an unsettling narrative of poverty and desperation. The true horror of this series isn’t that people are turning into plants – it’s that they have no other choice. While Toshiro is our main character, we frequently get to see what is going on behind the scenes – how can a single parent afford the high price of breathing? What happens to those who run out of money but still have an agonizing wait as their plant takes over?

The opposing factions of those for the procedure and those against clash in violent and gruesome ways, all flawlessly depicted with Yasuda’s impeccable artwork. The unsettling depictions of those who have undergone ‘transfloration’ are haunting and visceral – you can never truly forget that they were once people.

Fool Night is a fantastic blend of genres, making it a great fit for fans of horror, dystopian fiction or thrillers. When I stopped reading, it left me feeling exhilarated and chilled, like I’d just plunged my head into a bucket of icy water. Perfect for fans of Chainsaw Man, The Summer Hikaru Died or the anime Cyberpunk Edgerunners.