After reading this novel, I find it interesting regarding the character of Momoko. The author, NovalaTakemoto, creates an impression of a girl who is lazy, yet she wants to live a lavish life, with high liking of the Rococo style of dressing. She is supremely lazy, yet she wants to have all the joy in life without putting much effort. I find a contradiction in this character, since the story reports that she uses a vocabulary better than all around in the high school. On page 128, the author admits that her body emits “an electromagnetic energy field,” attracting jackpots on her side. This appears ironical. From the American edition of the novel, page 213, Takemoto, the author admits that the storyteller, Momoko, is his alter ego. What is the degree of reality in this novel, especially as pertains to the character of Momoko? Do you guys think the author had any intention of focusing on realism? Is the character of Momoko in any way a reflection of the author’s character in reality? Through the character of Momoko, does the author get to celebrate his ideas, as some may argue?

Reply to FAN:

I have liked your observation about the complementarity of the mirror images of Momoko and Ichigoa adulthood. They started with repulsion, yet they have developed their strongest bonds. The strength of their relationship is found in their differences. I do not mind having a friend who is different from me. I would take advantage of the differences to learn from them. I do not have a favorite between the two.

Reply to JOHN:

I have liked your well-thought questions. From my understanding of the novel, I would consider Rococo culture as being of European origin. Momoko is described as “going at length” about the Rococo, and using a “high vocabulary” better than all in the high school. This has a connotation of some foreignness of the culture. However, the descriptions about the Lolita style point to all the possibilities of it being Japanese. I think, to some extent, Momoko has successfully broken away from the” loserdom.” Although we find her being selfish, she is herself. She makes decisions herself. The struggle forced her to change and make friends with Ichigo, whom she had not liked at the first instance.

Reply to Yoo:

First, I want to agree with you that the element of individualism and selfishness are evident in the thematic concerns of the novel. From the character ofMomoko throughout the novel, the Lolita culture has been used by the author to convey the true sense of individualism and capitalism in Japan. Similarly, the author might have used the Yanke sub-culture to portray samehard-line stance into one’s beliefs and principles. Also, through the parallel nature of the two cultures, the author has portrayed cultural interactions, as in the friendship between Momoko and Ichigo.