Reviews with content warning for Sexism - Earthlings

Earthlings is incredibly fascinating. Sayaka Murata takes a highly relatable concept and extracts it to an absurd conclusion. The book centers around the main character Natsuki believing she is an alien with magic powers from the planet Popinbopia. it is through this lens that we see the main character tackle difficult issues in her life and attempt to make sense of society.

Murata navigates feelings of alienation and the irrationality of some aspects of society (referred to as 'the factory' by the main characters) by framing them from the perspective of an outsider looking in. In doing so, Murata shines a light on different facets of sexism (division of household labor, cheating, gender roles), sexual assault, and the compulsion to have children. Her ability to shift scope in criticizing society through this point of view is incredible. We see the minutiae - people balking at the even distribution of household chores between Natsuki and her husband Tomoya, as well as zoomed out looks at the predetermined path set out before everyone to becoming a cog in the machine of society.

The ending takes these feelings and observations to their extreme ends and shows what a lifetime of alienation could result in.

The three main characters Natsuki, Yuu, and Tomoya end up squatting in Natsuki's grandmother's house in Akishina. They fled there to escape 'the factory' and lived naked and alien in the house, rebuilding their view of the world from scratch. Their actions mirror their shared traumas by creating the only place they ever feel they can be truly themselves. They even shirk societal taboos by walking around naked, sleeping in the same pile of clothes, and eventually even murder and cannibalism. The irony is that only in doing this can they begin to heal, Natsuki finally regains her sense of taste and hearing in her right ear which she has not had since she was sexually abused as a child

Overall, this is a masterclass in examining society and feelings of alienation and was easy to tear through. I just wish the sexual scenes were not so graphic, especially the one detailing sexual abuse. Maybe this comes from the author's own experiences, but still definitely read content warnings.

Content Warnings

mog261's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

this was the most demented book i've read for ages. i feel like i lowkey need therapy after reading it. it needs many, many trigger warnings.

Content Warnings

maissi's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

quillyreads's review against another edition

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challenging fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is out of pocket. Challenging and provocative but not for the faint of heart. Don’t let the easy to understand, conversational tone fool you.

Content Warnings

dr_matthew_lloyd's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Content Warnings

claraandthesun's review against another edition

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dark sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Content Warnings

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