Scan barcode
georgialee01's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Sexual content, Excrement, Cannibalism, and Stalking
katharina90's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Refreshingly weird, thought-provoking and fun. The author turns societal norms upside-down, prompting us to reflect on culturally constructed attitudes and customs that often go unquestioned.
Amongst the many questions raised by this short story collection, the ones that stood out to me include:
-Who and what is regarded as food?
-Whose skin and hair can be made into clothing and furniture?
-Who can be kept as a pet?
As with most short fiction some of the stories resonated more than others, but taken as a whole this is a really strong collection.
Amongst the many questions raised by this short story collection, the ones that stood out to me include:
-Who and what is regarded as food?
-Whose skin and hair can be made into clothing and furniture?
-Who can be kept as a pet?
As with most short fiction some of the stories resonated more than others, but taken as a whole this is a really strong collection.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism
Moderate: Death and Sexual content
Minor: Stalking
jessthanthree's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Vomit, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Incest, Excrement, Stalking, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
skull_flower's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism
lovetlr's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-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
1.0
Just weird
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Vomit, and Cannibalism
abbie_'s review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
Although the writing is slightly basic at times (or the translation?) I always love the ideas Sayaka Murata puts forward with her work! She does use similar themes as in Convenience Store Woman & Earthlings, but in new ways. So themes like fitting in, morals & customs in an ever changing society, alienation… cannibalism 👀 She does love a bit of cannibalism, but genuinely Life Ceremony was probably my favourite story in the collection! I also loved A First Rate Material, Puzzle, Eating the City and Hatchling. Some of these (Time of the Star, Poochie, A Summer Night’s Kiss) could have been omitted to no detriment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism
karalara's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Sexual content, Vomit, and Cannibalism
onewoman_bookclub's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism
martinza's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Erkundet andere Formen von Normal als die derzeitige. Ich mag
Explores other forms of normal than the current one. I like
Explores other forms of normal than the current one. I like
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism
chlomonte's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
sayaka murata at her best! her quirky ideas & characters are best suited to short stories imo, really really strong collection as there were only 1 or 2 stories that i didn't connect with as much. the first story had me totally hooked & i wish it was just a little bit longer tbh. will continue to read everything she publishes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Cannibalism