{"id":2935,"date":"2025-08-12T18:51:43","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T09:51:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/frankyoshida.com\/experts-at-community\/?p=2935"},"modified":"2025-08-12T18:55:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T09:55:12","slug":"%e3%80%90literature%e3%80%91the-mathematical-madman-of-venice-a-mystery-where-nationality-and-era-collide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/frankyoshida.com\/experts-at-community\/?p=2935","title":{"rendered":"\u3010Literature\u3011The Mathematical Madman of Venice \u2013 A Mystery Where Nationality and Era Collide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hello, this is Frank.\"Reading<\/p>\n

This is my review of The Mathematical Madman of Venice<\/em> by Takataro Kigi, featured in My Best Mystery IV<\/em><\/strong> (Bungeishunju, ed. Japan Mystery Writers Association). Spoiler Alert<\/span>.<\/p>\n

When I first started reading, the heavy scenic descriptions\u2014perhaps because the story is set overseas\u2014felt like an overload of information. As someone who has traveled extensively, the single word \u201cVenice\u201d already evokes vivid imagery for me, which might explain my reaction.<\/p>\n

The repeated references to characters as \u201cOriental,\u201d \u201cChinese,\u201d or \u201cJapanese\u201d were a stark reminder of the era in which this was written. As a Japanese reader, I wasn\u2019t entirely sure how to emotionally engage with those labels. Meanwhile, the epilogue\u2019s forced connection between the \u201cmathematical madman\u201d Oriental and the daughter of a famous Russian mathematician came across as a heavy-handed twist by a science-minded novelist.<\/p>\n

In pursuing the culprit, the narrative leaned heavily on the objective perspective of a hotel bellboy. However, this denied the reader the chance to explore the inner worlds of the Oriental man or the Gypsy, keeping the storytelling rather surface-level.<\/p>\n

If I were the author, I might have told the story from the Gypsy woman\u2019s perspective, leading to an ending where she treats the \u201cOriental\u201d man\u2014who, in some sense, saved her\u2014as a kindred spirit. I think that could have made for an intriguing conclusion.<\/p>\n

That said, it was fascinating to see expressions rarely found in modern novels\u2014such as \u201ccaressing the earlobe,\u201d \u201cfrozen in astonishment,\u201d \u201cgently persuaded,\u201d and \u201csmiling warmly\u201d\u2014and to think about how best to digest them within the story\u2019s flow.<\/p>\n

The closing line\u2014\u201cThe Japanese believed that this murder was not merely a case of robbery\u201d\u2014hints at deeper layers involving politics, race, or perhaps other motives. It leaves the reader wondering what the author truly meant by \u201cRevenge!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ultimately, this work was a reminder of the nuances to consider when writing fiction that includes characters of different nationalities.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re intrigued, I recommend giving it a read. And if you enjoy socially conscious mysteries, you might also like my full-length novel, Mystery of the Rouge<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\uff0aMy Best Mystery IV<\/em> (Bungeishunju, ed. Japan Mystery Writers Association)<\/p>\n\n\n
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\u30de\u30a4\u30fb\u30d9\u30b9\u30c8\u30fb\u30df\u30b9\u30c6\u30ea\u30fc4 (\u6587\u6625\u6587\u5eab \u7de8 17-4)<\/a><\/p>\n

\u65b0\u54c1\u4fa1\u683c
\uffe53,072\u304b\u3089<\/span>
(2025\/8\/12 17:32\u6642\u70b9)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

\"\"\uff0aMystery of the Rouge<\/em> (by Frank Yoshida)<\/p>\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n\n

\u8b0e\u306e\u30eb\u30fc\u30b8\u30e5<\/a><\/p>\n

\u65b0\u54c1\u4fa1\u683c
\uffe5818\u304b\u3089<\/span>
(2025\/8\/12 18:49\u6642\u70b9)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

\"\"\u203bFor sample reading and paperback orders, please visit here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re curious about my other published books, check them out here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Thank you for reading today.
\n
\nBack to Genre\uff1a>Here<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Need a break? Why not check out my daughter\u2019s YouTube channel,
\nO-Hana Fantasia<\/a>. We\u2019d be so happy if you subscribed!<\/p>\n

\n

Currently, I’m participating in the popular blog rankings.
\nToday’s ranking for [AMISTAD] is?<\/p>\n

\"\u5b66\u554f\u30fb\u79d1\u5b66(\u5168\u822c)\u30e9\u30f3\u30ad\u30f3\u30b0\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\u4eba\u6c17\u30d6\u30ed\u30b0\u30e9\u30f3\u30ad\u30f3\u30b0\u3067\u30d5\u30a9\u30ed\u30fc\"<\/a><\/p>\n