Japanese Gothic is a gorgeously grotesque ghost story
The Verge·June 7, 2026
Kylie Lee Baker's novel Japanese Gothic is a horror story that combines elements of ghost stories and time travel. The book follows two protagonists, including Lee Turner, an NYU student who flees to Japan in 2026 to stay with his father. Japanese Gothic contains graphic content, including gore, domestic violence, self-harm, and mental illness, and is best experienced with minimal prior knowledge. Baker's latest novel has been released after her acclaimed works Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng.
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