A review by esthersshelf
Earthlings by Sayaka Murata

challenging dark emotional funny sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book is a character portrait of 3 people who experience childhood abuse to varying degrees. They dissociate together and create a new reality. However, the abuse is vividly described and not at all dream or fantasy like, except when they dissociate. It’s unflinching and disturbing. The author writes with precision and expertly handles the child’s point of view. This is told  from the point of view of one woman with significant trauma so there are no good characters here. This is probably the most unsettling book I’ve ever read. Have you read Lolita and thought to yourself, I wish this was more disgusting and tragic? This book is for you. 5 stars but I’ll never read it again and I might sell my copy to keep it from my kids.
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