Set in the late 1980s Taipei, 20-something Lazi chronicles her attraction to Shui Ling, an older woman. In navigating her romantic escapades, Lazi turns for support to a circle of queer friends, some just as lost as Lazi herself.

NOTES is composed of Lazi's diary entries and interspersed with the uncanny journey of a crocodile trying to "assimilate" into the human world. Through the two parallel narratives, NOTES portrays the experience of queer individuals in a unique, ingenious, and layered fashion. Reminiscent of NORWEGIAN WOOD (Haruki Murakami), NOTES distinguishes itself by delving into the struggles and triumphs of those in the LGBTQ+ community in 1980s Taiwan through the reflection of love and identity.

There is no shortage of juxtapositions in NOTES exploring the constant struggle of living as a queer individual in a heteronormative society; Lazi's melancholy vs. the crocodile's carefree disposition, the characters' sexual desires vs. longings for love, the yearning for a soulmate vs. the fear of getting hurt, the joy of freely loving women vs. the pain in forcing oneself to love men. These competing factors create a fascinating dichotomy, highlighting the contrasting emotions of exploring one's sexuality.

Such is the profound impact of NOTES that Lazi (拉子) is a term used by lesbians to identify themselves in Taiwanese LGBTQ+ communities. This demonstrates the book's significance as a pioneering work in queer literature, shedding light on the importance of self-identification and community building.

While NOTES may not appeal to all readers due to its all vibes and no plot structure, its strength lies in the richly layered exploration of themes and emotions. It is a book that demands careful attention and contemplation, and in my case, lots of googling & reading academic papers on the symbolisms in NOTES