The Gun    by Fuminori Nakamura Order:  USA  Can Soho, 2016 (2016) Hardcover, e-Book     Reviewed by Bob Walch A short but disturbing novel from one of Japan's rising young literary stars, this story chronicles how the discovery of a gun changes a college student's life and leads to tragic consequences. On an evening's outing, a young college student named Nishikawa discovers a dead body with a gun by its side. Although he knows that the possession of firearms in Japan is illegal, Nishikawa can't resist the temptation to take the gun and keep it. Once he pockets the revolver and walks away with it, the young man's life is forever altered. Nishikawa becomes obsessed with the gun and it becomes the center of his otherwise drab life. Not only can he not stop thinking about the weapon but after cleaning it, holding it, and carrying it around with him, the student finally gravitates towards using it. The winner of Japan's Shincho Prize for debut fiction, The Gun is an unforgettable short novel that casts gun violence in another light that is as chilling as any of the headlines that underscore the problem of weapon ownership in today's society. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews