Almost trasnparent blue

I loved Almost Transparent Blue by Ryu Murakami(the other Murakami, not the one who wrote Noervegian Wood). When I began reading this novel I got a bit lost because the author decides to alternate images of drug-taking with description of a relationship. Both have very intimate detail, but not the way you would expect. The relationship is presented softly, tenderly, focusing on the little gestures and actions. Like the when the girl take off her make up and her face is greasy but still beautiful. The drug taking part is organised around a group. Here the images are very violent: rotten food, painful sex, orgies, fighting.

The novel attracted me from the first drug scene. Here, Ryu describes how he feels after he was injected with heroin. And he does such a good job that you almost feel in in the tips of your fingers. I could feel little stings in the fingers from my left hand, as if I took the drug myself. This was shocking for me because very few writers wake up such intense and localised sensations.