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ccm13c's review
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
solivagantsoulx's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
raynorn's review
4.0
I received a digital copy of Earthlings from NetGalley, thanks to the publisher!
Bizarre, is the first word that comes to mind after reading this book. I picked it up because despite not reading it yet, I have heard from countless people about how much they loved her earlier book, Convenience Store Woman and after seeing her name pop up, I knew I had to try it.
The writing itself is consistently shocking in that you begin to forget at times that you're reading about the life of a woman in her thirties due to the way, like is commented on in the book itself, the main character Natsuki is frozen in time. It is also a fantastic commentary, aside from the sometimes whacky incidents in this book, on Japanese culture and arguably world culture of the expectations of a woman in society and the desire to break away from that and become something else. This is explored in a way I've never seen it explored, with aliens, talking hedgehog toys and The Factory, her and her later husband's idea of what society is. The writing is heavy in symbolism and a magical realism draws in so much attention that it almost becomes hard to read. I did find a few parts of the book very heard to read due to the themes explored, such as child abuse and exploitation, murder and yes, eventually cannibalism features.
It is the way that she explores such heavy themes while giving Natsuki this constant childlike voice changing the view of the horrific situations she finds herself in that really had me gripped reading this book, and I definitely will be picking up a copy of Murata's earlier novel, Convenience Store Woman soon.
Bizarre, is the first word that comes to mind after reading this book. I picked it up because despite not reading it yet, I have heard from countless people about how much they loved her earlier book, Convenience Store Woman and after seeing her name pop up, I knew I had to try it.
The writing itself is consistently shocking in that you begin to forget at times that you're reading about the life of a woman in her thirties due to the way, like is commented on in the book itself, the main character Natsuki is frozen in time. It is also a fantastic commentary, aside from the sometimes whacky incidents in this book, on Japanese culture and arguably world culture of the expectations of a woman in society and the desire to break away from that and become something else. This is explored in a way I've never seen it explored, with aliens, talking hedgehog toys and The Factory, her and her later husband's idea of what society is. The writing is heavy in symbolism and a magical realism draws in so much attention that it almost becomes hard to read. I did find a few parts of the book very heard to read due to the themes explored, such as child abuse and exploitation, murder and yes, eventually cannibalism features.
It is the way that she explores such heavy themes while giving Natsuki this constant childlike voice changing the view of the horrific situations she finds herself in that really had me gripped reading this book, and I definitely will be picking up a copy of Murata's earlier novel, Convenience Store Woman soon.
crispygarden's review
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Incest, Murder, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, and Gore
Moderate: Suicide attempt
Minor: Body horror
emevelinee's review
5.0
God, I don't even know what to say right now. The way this book had absolutely everything-omg. Definitely make sure to check the TWs cause I didn't and it caught me so off guard I had to take a two-day reading break cause this just HURT. Such good writing though and a super creative and unique story, overall I really loved this.
dbethke01's review
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Not for me. Check your content warnings.
vhsrising's review
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
lilynx's review
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bambinoora's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0