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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is really gonna stick with me. I read the whole book on a 2hr train to london, reading the last page on the platform after getting off the train. I do not recommend doing this as it really messed up the vibe of my day.
I read convenience store woman last year and really enjoyed that; this has similar themes of alienation from societies expectations & a very matter of fact + passive main character. This book just took it to a much darker place.
I forgot to check the CWs and big oops there. This was an upsetting read for sure. My lasting impression is just feel so bad for Natsuki. She has clearly never had someone in her close life who actually gives a shit about her in a normal way. Like yeah dang it’s a hell of a way to manage trauma but still. Oof.
Overwhelmingly Natsuki is someone who has things happen to her. Even as an adult she has seemingly no agency; being pulled around by her family or her husband.
I really thought they were just going to die in the mountains at the end so I was very surprised by them being “rescued”. I’m also assuming their swollen bellies are from malnutrition rather than actual mpreg because that would be a baffling conclusion.
I found the scenes with her teacher very disturbing & upsetting, and frankly I felt the same about the scenes with Yuu when they were children. Her family were foul to her, even in the face of other adults disagreeing with their cruelty.
The manifestation of her trauma is certainly interesting. Her mouth being “ruined” and losing taste for over 20 years, until she leaves society completely behind, kills multiple people and then eats one of them? Okay sure.
I’m confused by all the reviews printed on the book talking about it being funny? That would not be how I’d describe it at all.
I read convenience store woman last year and really enjoyed that; this has similar themes of alienation from societies expectations & a very matter of fact + passive main character. This book just took it to a much darker place.
I forgot to check the CWs and big oops there. This was an upsetting read for sure. My lasting impression is just feel so bad for Natsuki. She has clearly never had someone in her close life who actually gives a shit about her in a normal way. Like yeah dang it’s a hell of a way to manage trauma but still. Oof.
Overwhelmingly Natsuki is someone who has things happen to her. Even as an adult she has seemingly no agency; being pulled around by her family or her husband.
I’m confused by all the reviews printed on the book talking about it being funny? That would not be how I’d describe it at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, Murder
Minor: Confinement, Suicide, Violence
going with 3 stars but possibly 2.5. interesting take on trauma and societal pressures. an uncomfortable read at times 😀
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have no words. What the fuck was that?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Gore, Incest, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Vomit, Cannibalism, Murder, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Check TW for this book for sure! But this was so weird, different and kinda unsettling. I enjoyed it but at the same time I was bored 🥱 it was still a good read over all
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Cannibalism, Murder
Moderate: Incest
Minor: Child abuse
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don’t even know how many stars to rate this
I read it in one day and think I need a few days at least to process it
I thought the idea of natsuki thinking she was an alien to combat her trauma was good, but it went a bit too far
Obviously a lot of social commentary in this book, but I simply couldn’t think about that due to all the other horrific graphic things in it
Edit:
Ok I’ve thought about it more and the sister was actually a psycho, like it’s never explained why she hated her sister, and she knew about what went on with the teacher but never said anything!!! What a weird family
I read it in one day and think I need a few days at least to process it
I thought the idea of natsuki thinking she was an alien to combat her trauma was good, but it went a bit too far
Obviously a lot of social commentary in this book, but I simply couldn’t think about that due to all the other horrific graphic things in it
Edit:
Ok I’ve thought about it more and the sister was actually a psycho, like it’s never explained why she hated her sister, and she knew about what went on with the teacher but never said anything!!! What a weird family