LONGLISTED FOR THE INTERNATIONAL BOOKER PRIZE 2025 Born with a congenital muscle disorder
Shaka Isawa has severe spine curvature and uses an electric wheelchair and ventilator. Within
the limits of her care home her life is lived online: she studies she tweets indignantly she
posts outrageous stories on an erotica website. One day a new male carer reveals he has read
it all - the sex the provocation the dirt. Her response? An indecent proposal... Written by
the first disabled author to win Japan's most prestigious literary award and acclaimed
instantly as one of the most important Japanese novels of the twenty-first century Hunchback
is an extraordinary thrilling glimpse into the desire and darkness of a woman placed at
humanity's edge. 'A must-read debut. Funny and frank this book lingers in the mind long
after you turn the final page' BBC Books of 2025 Hunchback is one of the boldest and most
unusual books to emerge from a mainstream publisher in years. It's a brilliant riveting book
that lets us tune into the voices we have long kept suppressed. Sunday Times 'Uproariously
funny unflinching and merciless' Mariana Enriquez author of The Dangers of Smoking in Bed
'Filled with unforgettable insight' Sakaya Murata author of Convenience Store Woman
