‘Decapitation: Kubikiri Cycle (The Blue Savant and the Nonsense User)’ was the debut novel of the Japanese mystery and young-adult fiction author Ishin Nishio. It is a novel that has something to say, and is successful in saying it, while still being a viscerally satisfying work of fiction.

After attending a debate between Douglas Murray and Dr. Cornel West in Sydney I learned some things: The debate was compelling and presented a template for how even quite radically different intellectuals can disagree and still find mutual respect.

Is it worth reading even the corrupt and pathological descent of a pervert and madman? Nabokov has proven for the ages that the answer is absolutely a forceful yes.