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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well, if you thought Convenience Store Woman was weird, strap in.
I think there’s a lot to unpack in Earthlings, from the obvious (Japan’s birth rate crisis impacting the collective psyche) to the harrowing (some child abuse in a variety of forms), but I think the ultimate message of this tale is that of belonging and alienation, how some attempt to circumvent or flat out refuse to accept societal norms, and how they cope with existence. It’s hard to imagine the characters in Earthlings getting away with what they’ve done, but it is nice, I suppose. There still morally reprehensible and deeply frustrating, but you’d like to believe that they deserve a space just as much as anyone else.
Consistent in its refusal to accept normality, this is par for the course with Murata’s work, though she takes it one step beyond that which has already established. I’m curious and terrified to see where she heads next.
I think there’s a lot to unpack in Earthlings, from the obvious (Japan’s birth rate crisis impacting the collective psyche) to the harrowing (some child abuse in a variety of forms), but I think the ultimate message of this tale is that of belonging and alienation, how some attempt to circumvent or flat out refuse to accept societal norms, and how they cope with existence. It’s hard to imagine the characters in Earthlings getting away with what they’ve done, but it is nice, I suppose. There still morally reprehensible and deeply frustrating, but you’d like to believe that they deserve a space just as much as anyone else.
Consistent in its refusal to accept normality, this is par for the course with Murata’s work, though she takes it one step beyond that which has already established. I’m curious and terrified to see where she heads next.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
a very weird read, had me sitting here like 😦 over some of it. a lot of it had me going WTF but it was also an interesting read on society, immense feelings of otherness and responses to trauma. definitely an unpredictable read throughout
also definitely a book you need to check the trigger warnings for!!
also definitely a book you need to check the trigger warnings for!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Cannibalism, Murder, Gaslighting
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Incest, Pedophilia, Violence, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit, Acephobia/Arophobia, Pregnancy
Gosh this was a really rough one. Please for the love of god check the trigger warnings. I wish I could go back and tell myself not to the read the last ten pages of the book because I’m going to be working on recovering from that emotionally for a long time. And I don’t mean that it was a sad last few pages. I mean that when I close my eyes I think of the horror of those scenes and need a hug.
Really beautiful writing about feelings of “otherness” and feeling like there are all these unspoken things we have to do to be accepted as “human”. But Sayaka owes me therapy money.
Really beautiful writing about feelings of “otherness” and feeling like there are all these unspoken things we have to do to be accepted as “human”. But Sayaka owes me therapy money.
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Cannibalism, Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Gore, Incest, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Acephobia/Arophobia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm honestly not sure that I understood half of what I read, but I thought enjoyed it!
It's a quirky and deranged read, and one that I could definitely see myself coming back to in the future.
It's a quirky and deranged read, and one that I could definitely see myself coming back to in the future.
deranged but kind of incredible. needs different marketing though, was not prepared for the trauma
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The short blurbs I initially saw for Earthlings did not prepare me for it in the slightest!
To start with positives, I really did enjoy the commentary from what strongly seems to be a neurodivergent perspective and the insight on trauma. The topic of compulsory sexuality by society is not an often discussed topic that I see, but it’s an important one. The failings of society by Natsuki, Tomoya, and Yuu is frustrating but can also be relatable to readers. Also, the overall strongest parts of the book were about Natsuki’s childhood and I frankly wished that the story stayed in that time period.
However, I feel that the description inthe sex scene between Natsuki and Yuu was unnecessary along with the pedophilic one involving Natsuki’s teacher that happens previously . Both scenes existing are important to the story, but they’re also gratuitous. The metaphors about societal conformity are essential to this book, but are sometimes written in an extremely heavy-handed way. I’m torn between finding the cast of characters to be grating or not. I think it would work better if their personalities were so exaggerated because of Natsuki’s biased narration, but I couldn’t see anything in there implying that.
Overall, Earthlings had some great ideas but had a number of issues.
To start with positives, I really did enjoy the commentary from what strongly seems to be a neurodivergent perspective and the insight on trauma. The topic of compulsory sexuality by society is not an often discussed topic that I see, but it’s an important one. The failings of society by Natsuki, Tomoya, and Yuu is frustrating but can also be relatable to readers. Also, the overall strongest parts of the book were about Natsuki’s childhood and I frankly wished that the story stayed in that time period.
However, I feel that the description in
Overall, Earthlings had some great ideas but had a number of issues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Gore, Incest, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Suicide, Grief, Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Bullying, Infidelity, Vomit, Stalking
This is a trigger heavy book, especially for sexual abuse.
hear me out.. this book is so insanely disturbing, but i really liked it. i love books that make me feel very deeply, and this book did that. however, just like with "a little life", i wouldn't recommend this book to a single soul (if you're gonna read it, please check the tws). this novel talks about trauma and trauma responses in such an interesting and original way. i didn't like the main characters, but i was very interested in them and their lives. and the ending... if you're halfway or even 2/3 through the book and you think you know what's gonna happen - you don't. i promise. my jaw actually dropped to the floor when i finished the book. (i also am not even completely sure that i fully understand the ending). i tried to explain it to my boyfriend and he looked at me like i was insane. read with caution. it's definitely not for the faint of heart or people with weak stomachs.