Otsuichi is a difficult writer for me to judge. On the one hand, I think his ideas are almost always subperb, but on the other hand the writing (or perhaps the translation, in this case) can occasionally come across as bland, which nullifies some of the shock value, much to my lament. However, the stories are compelling. Rather than the typical overt in-your-face style horror that seems to be more prevalent, ZOO is a bit more subtle. Murder is less jarring, the reactions are a bit more organic and feel less like they're trying to evoke a particular emotion in the audience. What does make ZOO horrific are the underlying tones- the domestic violence, the absolute despairing qualities of the character's lives- that are conveyed so forcefully.

They're worth the read. Obviously, he's no, say, Franz Kafka, but for a little entertainment value this is time well spent.

I read one of the stories (the one about the twins) And i must say, even though i read books almost all day, this is one of the best short stories I've read in a LONG time. Give it a go