Queer Book Club: Confessions of a Mask

Come discuss books and make new friends 🌈✨

April's book will be Confessions of a Mask by Yukio Mishima. The Dutch translation (Bekentenissen van een gemaskerde) is available at de bibliotheek. The English translation unfortunately has to be procured elsewhere.

Confessions of a Mask tells the story of Kochan, an adolescent boy tormented by his burgeoning attraction to men: he wants to be “normal.” Kochan is meek-bodied, and unable to participate in the more athletic activities of his classmates. He begins to notice his growing attraction to some of the boys in his class, particularly the pubescent body of his friend Omi. To hide his homosexuality, he courts a woman, Sonoko, but this exacerbates his feelings for men. As news of the War reaches Tokyo, Kochan considers the fate of Japan and his place within its deeply rooted propriety.

Confessions of a Mask reflects Mishima’s own coming of age in post-war Japan. Its publication in English―praised by Gore Vidal, James Baldwin, and Christopher Isherwood―propelled the young Yukio Mishima to international fame.

The meeting will take place at De Uithoek handarbeidlokaal, an 8 minute cycle / 20 minute walk away from Utrecht Centraal.

Everyone is welcome who has read the book (or DNF, and is okay with spoilers) by the time of the meetup. The book club is hosted in English.

Please update your RSVP if you find out you cannot attend. Hope to see you there! 🏳️‍🌈📚