The Satsuma Complex

Thanks to british ceramics and paintings for both images 

Title: The Satsuma Complex

Author: Not known 

Publisher: Not known 

Source book: The Satsuma Complex by Bob Mortimer 

Shy legal assistant Gary Thorn sees a girl he really fancies in the pub. He likes her sensible shoes. She’s been reading a book: The Satsuma Complex. 

The book jacket is dark blue and in the middle of the front cover there’s a satsuma orange with the silhouette of a squirrel inside. When the girl leaves unexpectedly, she leaves the book open and face down on the table. She has circled the words “Maybe the ducks knew the secret of the cave”.

The blurb on the back of the book says “The Satsuma Complex is a novel about loneliness, lack of identity and cultural and moral corruption. Its characters are confused but compelling. A haunting meditation on love and loss and everything in between.” 

Apparently the source book includes an excerpt from The Satsuma Complex which is written in a style inspired by the writings of Haruki Murakami (apparently Bob Mortimer is a big fan). And no. I haven’t read any of Murakami’s books so this doesn’t mean anything to me. I’m beginning to wonder if I have read any books at all!

Because I haven’t read this book but my step-son has. He hasn’t bothered to tell me anything he knows about this fictional book so really this is all I know. If I learn any more about The Satsuma Complex I will definitely add it here…

Edited to add: now that I have read part of The Satsuma Complex I can report that I didn’t really enjoy it. In fact I relegated it to a few minutes reading in my bath each morning. And then stopped altogether. And having read the link about Haruki Murakami again, I think I can see why this book is written the way it is. I am pretty sure I won’t be reading any of his books any time soon.