Spark

(Paperback)

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Description

Tokunaga is a young comedian struggling to make a name for himself when he is taken under the wing of Kamiya, who is either a crazy genius or perhaps just crazy. Kamiya's indestructible confidence inspires Tokunaga, but it also makes him doubt the limits of his own talent, and dedication to Manzai comedy.

Spark is a story about art and friendship, about countless bizarre drunken conversations and how far it's acceptable to go for a laugh. A novel about comedy that's as moving and thoughtful as it is funny, it's already been a sensation in Japan.

Reviews

'A whip-smart tale thatll prove impossible to put down' - Vogue

'Edgy... the familiar story of the apprentice surpassing his master' - Sunday Times

'The seedy side of Tokyo is summoned up in tale about a comedy duo and the awkward bonds of men... Spark does the city credit' - Financial Times

'This novel screams out that theres nothing more beautiful than a fool whos kind, and not one person can laugh at that beauty' - Kanako Nishi

'Excels as a comedy of the absurd... a Japanese Withnail and I... Immensely satisfying' - Japan Society

Author Bio

Naoki Matayoshi is a Japanese manzai comedian and author, who found fame performing as part of the popular comic duo Peace. Spark is his first novel and has been hugely successful in Japan since it was first published in 2016. It has won the Akutagawa Prize and was adapted for film, stage and TV - the hit series is available on Netflix UK.