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A review by jayisreading
Walking Practice by Dolki Min
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
This was a fun and short book to read, though I should add that it's rather gory and violent (i.e., "fun" is subjective here). The protagonist, Mumu, is an alien who disguises themself as a human (sometimes a woman, sometimes a man) in an attempt to get by and be accepted in the human world. This is explored through dating/sex, though this usually leads to a grisly end for the human, considering that they are "hunted" in order for Mumu to survive—
Mumu serves as an allegory of sorts for queer people (particularly trans people), expressing their fears of society and the harm that they might face, but also desiring acceptance. Mumu is doing what they can to "pass," and if it's not appearance, then it's how they carry themself (e.g., struggling with walking on two feet). I thought the author did a wonderful job showcasing the range of emotions, from grief to love, as Mumu went from one date to the next.
Most interesting about Walking Practice is the language and typesetting. I'd be curious to see the original, just to see what got lost in translation (e.g., onomatopoeia, which is rich in the Korean language). I also thought the typesetting was absolutely fascinating in some places, where the text expanded and contracted to show the constant shifting happening for Mumu (not only bodily but also mentally). In addition to the language, the act of seeing these shifts add so much dimension.
If you can stomach body horror and violence, this book is worth picking up.
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, and Blood