Book Review: ‘Hooked’ by Asako Yuzuki

Book Title: Hooked
Author: Asako Yuzuki
Publisher: Fourth Estate
Number of Pages: 400
ISBN: 0008815410
Date Published: Mar. 12, 2026

Book Review

“Hooked” by Asako Yuzuki is a quiet and unsettling story about loneliness, obsession, and human connection. The novel follows Eriko, a successful but deeply lonely woman, and Shoko, a lifestyle blogger whose messy but warm life attracts attention. When Eriko arranges a meeting with Shoko, their relationship slowly grows, but it soon becomes clear that it is not a simple friendship. Through these two characters, the book explores how people can become fixated on others, especially when they see in them the life they wish they had. Polly Barton’s translation is smooth and precise, keeping the tension steady and the narrative voice clear and engaging throughout.

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One of the strongest parts of the novel is how real and uncomfortable the emotions feel. Eriko’s loneliness is not dramatic, but very ordinary, which makes it easy to understand. Shoko, on the other hand, seems simple at first but slowly reveals deeper layers. Their contrasting lives—control versus chaos—drive the story forward. The book also touches on themes like friendship, identity, and the pressure to appear happy. It shows how people often hide behind a version of themselves, and how this can affect their relationships.

However, the novel can feel slow and repetitive at times. There is a strong focus on inner thoughts, which sometimes makes the story feel heavy and less engaging. Readers may expect a bigger turning point or more dramatic events, but the story stays quiet and controlled until the end. Even so, “Hooked” leaves an impact. It makes you think about your own relationships and how easy it is to lose yourself in someone else. It is a thoughtful read, even if it does not fully satisfy in terms of pace or intensity.

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