Sato's father physically and emotionally abused him and his mother and sister before eventually leaving home. Modern events trigger Sato's memory, and he juxtaposes these with vividly recounted scenes from his childhood. As the book progresses, Sato comes to realize that the voices he hears at work and the odd sounds he hears elsewhere are signs of schizophrenia. He was hospitalized for two months and said medication now keeps the effects of schizophrenia in check. People don't realize that those with schizophrenia lead normal lives, he said, something he hopes to rectify with the book.
People react with disdain.
I hope it will educate people about the disorder. One scene in the book shows how dangerous and terrifying schizophrenia can be. Sato is out of the hospital and living in an apartment in a house. But once again he hears voices, only this time they diminish when he puts a pillow over his head. Sato moves to the door, sees that there really is a fire in the house and runs out.