クロス

by Hiroka Yamashita, 山下紘加

「女装しているきみが好き」と彼は言う。
それは女?男?それとも、私?
異才の20代文藝賞作家が描く異性装者(クロスドレッサー)の物語

解放と迷宮。
性の揺らぎだけではない、
これは「存在」の物語。
――中村文則(作家)

あなたといる私も、他の人といる私も私。
どの私も、私の真実。
マナは不自由でとっても自由だ。
――秋元才加(女優)

私はどちらの性で、どんな立ち位置で、彼を愛せばいいのだろう。
警備会社で働く28 歳の「私」は、結婚していながら関係を続けていた浮気相手との悪戯をきっかけに、女性装にのめりこむ。
ストッキングを履いたり、自らの手でメイクを施したりと女性性に寄り添うような生活は、「私」に新鮮な喜びと自由をもたらす。
あるとき女の姿で訪れたバーで、タケオと名乗る男に出会い、強烈に惹かれていくが――。

160 pages, Paperback

Published April 16, 2020

Reviews

[Katie (inactive) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cross also was a rollercoaster ride... It was so interesting to watch Mana go on her journey from starting crossdressing by chance due to a lover, to where we get at the end of the book. Mana is one of the most fascinating main characters I've read in a while. She is so unique, she is so free, she is female and at times she is male, she is a perfectionist, and yet she is so flawed. Cross was my second read by author Yamashita Hiroka and I will continue to pick up more of her works in the future.

Had a bit of issues with the pacing of the book. There was quite a bit of repetition which was not necessary especially considering how short it is. The ending was also shocking, but left me unsatisfied. Compared to her newer work, Error, Cross was more dense and difficult to read. Still, I'd say I recommend Cross to most.

3.5 stars rounded down

[_iamreading_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cross di Yamashita Hiroka.

[Nicoletta 🧿 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐️