The Spring 2023 Light Novel Guide

Survival Strategies of a Corrupt Aristocrat

What's It About? 

While playing games after my wife betrayed me, I suddenly died and woke up as Jack Girard, the protagonist of the fangame Survival Strategies of a Corrupt Aristocrat. Unfortunately, Jack has it even worse than I do. Between his parents trying to assassinate him, the betrayal of his personal maid and the house's butler, and a host of other horrors, his life—now my life—is one treacherous twist after another. However, with the help of Adele, the strongest supporting character of the game, and my foreknowledge of said twists, I'm determined to overcome it all and live in the lap of luxury!

Survival Strategies of a Corrupt Aristocrat has a story by Wanta, and art by Yunagi. English translation by Boris Lecourt. J-Novel Club, $7.99 digital. Available now.

Is It Worth Reading?

Rebecca Silverman

Rating:

This novel has a confusing premise that seems intentional. The protagonist, Jack, had a miserable end to his first life in Japan, claiming to have entered his second life with hedonistic aspirations. He's not going to trust women (but may sleep with them), he won't do anything to endanger himself, and he plans to laze away the days reveling in his wealth and privilege. He may think he's doing that, but we can see that he's not as corrupt as he seems to think he is. After all, would a corrupt nobleman revamp the tax system to be fairer or speak kindly to subordinates? Probably the most "corrupt" thing he does is take care of Jack's vile parents, and he technically doesn't even kill them (only in the strictest definition, which feels like author Wanta may have changed their plans partway through writing). Everyone around Jack notices what he's unaware of: he's actually a pretty good guy.

This disconnect between Jack's intentions and his reality is probably the novel's main appeal. While there are plenty of familiar trappings, such as his ever-growing harem and mental acuity, the book reads more like a reincarnated villainess story with the genders swapped. It's interesting to see because Jack is less of an overpowered jerk and more of one who has no clue what he's doing to the world of the game he reincarnated into, which is much more in line with Katarina or Aileen's storylines than any male protagonist. The art makes it clear that this is intended for the male gaze, but this is just different enough not to feel like every other book in the genre. I don't know if it can maintain its appeal (Adele and Lumié don't want it to; they're advocating for a full-on harem), but it's interesting enough to give a chance.