“Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.”
Salmonella Men on Planet Porno is a collection of surreal, satirical, and often absurd short stories by Yasutaka Tsutsui. Each tale blends science fiction, dark humor, and social commentary, exploring bizarre scenarios that challenge perceptions of reality, identity, and human nature.
The World in Twelve Minutes
A man wakes up to find that the world will end in twelve minutes. As he grapples with this revelation, he reflects on the meaning of existence, only for the situation to take an unexpected twist.
Salmonella Men on Planet Porno
A group of scientists lands on a planet inhabited by bizarre, sexually charged creatures. The expedition spirals into chaos as the team confronts their own repressed desires and the absurdity of human nature.
The Very Edge of Happiness
A man becomes obsessed with reaching the “edge” of happiness, believing it to be a physical place. His journey leads him through increasingly surreal landscapes, blurring the line between delusion and enlightenment.
The Last Smoker
In a dystopian future where smoking is outlawed, the last remaining smoker becomes a fugitive. His defiance sparks a cultural revolution, questioning authority and the absurdity of prohibition.
Hello, Hello, Hello!
A man receives a phone call from his future self, warning him of an impending disaster. As he tries to alter his fate, the boundaries of time and causality unravel in darkly comedic ways.
Brave New World
A man awakens in a utopian society where all desires are fulfilled instantly. However, he soon discovers the horrifying truth behind this seemingly perfect world, leading to a nightmarish revelation.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (Variation)
A playful reimagining of time travel, where a young girl’s ability to leap through moments in time leads to unintended consequences, blending humor with existential musings.
The Standing Woman
In a society where people are forced to stand indefinitely as punishment, a woman’s defiance exposes the cruelty of conformity and the fragility of human endurance.
Commuter Army
Office workers are conscripted into a bizarre corporate war, where mundane office supplies become weapons. The story satirizes the dehumanizing nature of modern labor and bureaucracy.
The Legend of the Holy Defense Force
A group of self-proclaimed holy warriors embarks on a ridiculous crusade, exposing the absurdity of blind fanaticism and misplaced heroism.
Key Ideas
- Surrealism and absurdity as tools for social critique
- Exploration of human desires and societal taboos
- Satire of authority, conformity, and dystopian control
- Blurring the boundaries between reality and illusion
- Dark humor intertwined with philosophical questions
Who should read this book?
- Fans of surreal, thought-provoking science fiction
- Readers who enjoy dark humor and satire
- Those interested in Japanese avant-garde literature
- Anyone seeking unconventional storytelling