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izypup's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I don’t think any of the characters behaved in ways that felt like the author jumped the shark because I believed that these characters had the capabilities of acting irrationally.
Natsuki’s childhood in particular felt well-written and really hooked me and I specifically enjoyed the way disassociation was framed and how child minds rationalize things in ways that aren’t actually rational.
While some of the themes were disturbing, it’s never very explicit in its descriptions even though you know exactly what’s happening. It doesn’t read as shock horror and while parts were gross, it didn’t put me off from the book.
Graphic: Sexism, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Body shaming, Death, Confinement, Child abuse, Blood, Cannibalism, Misogyny, and Incest
Moderate: Grief, Violence, Pregnancy, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Fatphobia, Vomit, Animal death, Bullying, Stalking, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
pryingblackbird's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexism, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Rape, Cannibalism, Acephobia/Arophobia, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Child abuse
Moderate: Body shaming, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, and Gaslighting
Minor: Incest
minamouse's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
And why could I not put it down?!
I was shocked at how enthralled I was with this novel. Everything about it is weird, and unsettling. But I also felt like there was this aura of reliability embedded in its pages. Do I believe I am an alien from another planet, no. Do I occasionally have moments in my life where I feel like I don't understand society as a whole, yes. It's strange, it's creepy, it's worth the read. 4.25 out of 5 ⭐.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Body horror, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Incest, Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
strange_abalone's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I have no idea what to rate this…. I have no idea what I just read… a brilliant depiction of society and trauma…. But also, what did I just read?????
Reaction after sitting with it for a day:
I think the initial reaction is to be stunned, and that makes a lot of sense, it’s a very diabolical read. But a lot of the reviews here seem to be shocked by the nature of the book without exploring more into what ideas are being presented. It’s deranged to make a point, and in that way it is exceptional. The “factory” and popinpobopians are concepts that will sit with me forever.
Graphic: Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Child abuse, Death, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Body horror, Gaslighting, Gore, Mental illness, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Bullying, and Suicidal thoughts
spooky_coochie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Pedophilia, Incest, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Violence, Misogyny, Sexism, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Vomit, Suicide, and Eating disorder
majorchachi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Child abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Blood, Gore, Cannibalism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Incest, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Body horror
pulleamurmeli's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, Cannibalism, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Pedophilia, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Incest
tanjakirckhoff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Sexual assault, Incest, Child abuse, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Sexism
vinicoelho's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
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.
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.
Graphic: Pedophilia, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, Sexism, Sexual assault, Incest, Murder, Emotional abuse, and Sexual violence
mog261's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Vomit, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, Cannibalism, Misogyny, Death, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Pedophilia, Rape, Bullying, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Gore, Incest, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Blood, Eating disorder, and Suicidal thoughts