Title: Now You’re One of Us
Author: Asa Nonami (translated by Michael and Vitsuko Volek)
ISBN: 9781934287033
Publisher: Vertical Inc.
It’s not easy to understand another family. – Shito family household
Author Asa Nonami’s psychological-thriller “Now You’re One of Us” was originally released in Japanese under its original name “Anki” and was translated to English by Michael and Mistsuko Volek.
The book details the story of a new bride, Noriko Shito, who has spent the past two months living with her husband Kazuhito’s extended family, where everything seemed perfect.
The Shitos have nine people across four generations living in one household. Noriko couldn’t be happier, as her new relatives are always happy and treat her kindly; their business is thriving; and they live comfortably on a large estate in the suburbs of Tokyo.
However, not long after, Noriko began to notice little things that didn’t add up about her in-laws.
Everyone downplays her suspicions; nobody will answer her questions, and Noriko begins questioning whether she can even trust her own senses or whether something very sinister is happening in her new home.
As the house was huge, there was a tenant who Noriko met soon after moving in and who wanted to tell her something but didn’t get around to it — and then, coincidentally and conveniently (while Noriko was away visiting her family), that tenant wiped out his whole family in an apparent murder-suicide.
“It’s not easy to understand another family”, one of the Shitos says after the murder-suicide, and Noriko certainly feels the same way. The book then proceeds to be enjoyably creepy, as members of the Shito put on a smile that can’t be wiped from their faces, it seems, to add to the sinister feel.
And while Noriko has a friend she can confide in, Tomomi, she’s just as suspicious about her motives, assuming her to be jealous of what, to all outward appearances, looks like her good fortune in marrying into such a fine family.
Eventually there is a change, and the end of it comes down to Noriko becoming one of the Shitos or not, with the author tying everything together, both with what becomes of Noriko as well as Tomomi.
Overall, “Now You’re One of Us” is a great story that explores the theme of marrying into a strange family — with an interesting dose of Japanese culture, mores, and history tossed in.
Much according to Japanese culture, the author skilfully inserted calculated gestures, and she knows when to play it casually for the more observant reader to latch on to and when to explicitly raise some red flags.
The book is written in third person but readers can share Noriko’s perspective throughout in her uncertainty, worries, anxieties, and the like.
While the narrative paints the Shito family in a bad light based on Noriko’s observations, we’re also left doubting her thoughts as potential culture shock, considering the environment she’s transplanted to after coming from a much different home.
The story’s unpredictability is what makes it so suspenseful and successful. It doesn’t have monsters, ghosts, or shocking moments. Everything is played out casually, like it’s all normal, even when the story goes to some truly disgusting places.
It’s not a gory book, but to me, the plot and mini-stories are more disturbing and sinister than I expected. No ghosts or monsters could compare to how seemingly simple it is to break down a person’s mental walls.
While most of the story seemed too far-fetched, it all came together nicely in the end.
