The grotesquely fanged monster armed with a spear and an assault rifle that comes hurtling out of a rising sun on the cover of "Homunculus" should be fair warning to readers that something a tad disturbing is to be found within this book's pages.
The author's name, Hugh Paxton, may also come as a surprise to those familiar with The Japan Times' "Nature Travel" column, which Hugh contributes together with his wife Midori. But be warned, this is certainly not a hunky-dory tale from the Paxton ranch outside Windhoek, Namibia.
No, the monstrous cover of this book is a mere hint of the bloodthirsty -- and unapologetically outrageous -- work of the imagination that is in store for readers who are intrepid enough.
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