A review by angorarabbit
Earthlings by Sayaka Murata

challenging dark sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

TLDR: Very good book, major trigger warnings.

Context: I thought I’d read a short novel after finally finishing Dahlgren. The cover is cute. The blurb is interesting, a nice coming of age story of a Japanese woman. Nice and light.

I was not ready for chapter 2 (the book is short, 6 chapters). Chapter 6 though was downright mind crushing. 

Ms Murata is a very good writer. I have read books where children are abused before. Never have I read a book where the author describes the disassociation and alienation that can be caused by that abuse so truly. She takes you to the edge, then a little more. You really can’t leave until she is done with you.

I will be thinking about chapter 6 for a long time. End of life hallucination or reality?

I will read more of Ms Murata’s fiction, just not right after finishing something akin to Dahlgren, if I can help it, and with more attention to trigger warnings.
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