Title: Becoming Yoko
Subtitle: A Transgender Odyssey Through the Hong Kong Underworld
Series: Japanesque TS
Author: Yulia Yu. Sakurazawa
Welcome to my corner of the literary world, dedicated to exploring the diverse and often challenging experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals through the power of fiction. As Yulia Yu. Sakurazawa, I strive to create stories that resonate with authenticity, sensitivity, and a deep understanding of the human condition.
My novels delve into the complexities of identity, sexuality, and gender, often set against the backdrop of vibrant and sometimes dangerous worlds. I believe that by sharing these stories, we can foster empathy, promote understanding, and celebrate the beauty of human diversity.
One of my most recent works, “Becoming Yoko: A Transgender Odyssey Through the Hong Kong Underworld,” embodies this mission. It’s a story that begins with a seemingly innocuous decision – a quest for affordable laser hair removal – and spirals into a life-altering journey for the protagonist, Kenichiro.
In “Becoming Yoko,” I wanted to explore the themes of exploitation and resilience through the lens of a transgender experience. Kenichiro’s pursuit of beauty leads him to Hong Kong, where he is abducted and forced to undergo gender-affirming surgeries against his will. Stripped of his former identity, he must navigate the treacherous world of the city’s underworld, where he is forced to work as a prostitute in a “newhalf” establishment.
But “Becoming Yoko” is not just a story of suffering and exploitation. It’s also a story of hope, resilience, and the transformative power of self-discovery. As Yoko, the protagonist begins to embrace her new identity and to find love and acceptance in the most unexpected places. She forms strong bonds with other transgender women, learns to navigate the complexities of her new body, and discovers a sense of self that she never knew existed.
“Becoming Yoko” is a raw and unflinching exploration of the challenges faced by transgender individuals, but it’s also a celebration of the human spirit’s ability to find beauty and meaning even in the darkest of circumstances. It is a story that I hope will resonate with readers long after they have turned the final page.