A review by bigblackclock
Life Ceremony by Sayaka Murata

challenging dark reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.5/5)

Life Ceremony is a collection of 12 short stories. Although they are different stories, the themes encompassing every story in this book are similar to one another.

A First-Rate Material: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
I am captivated by how Sayaka Murata is obsessed with this theme and how well she writes her prose.

A Magnificent Spread: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.5/5)
Very creative but rudimentary

A Summer Night’s Kiss: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.75/5)
Unlikely for her to create stories like this, powerful message.

Two’s Family: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
This might be one of my favorite stories in this book, wholesome and beautiful.

The Time of the Large Star: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.25/5)
I think this was effective since it was from a POV of a child.

Poochie: ⭐⭐ (2.75/5)
This was kind of gross and funny.

Life Ceremony: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.25/5)
Murata is really embracing indifference to societal norms.

Body Magic: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.75/5)
This was kinda like [book:Earthlings|50269327] but milder.

Lover on the Breeze: ⭐⭐ (2.5/5)
Another unconventional story from Murata, a love triangle story.

Puzzle: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.75/5)
I was definitely puzzled by this (no pun intended), but Muarata's imagination was wild and this story was thought-provoking.

Eating the City: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Another story on societal norms

Hatchling: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.25/5)
This story was well-written, I understand why this was the last story and the power of its message. The resolution might be lacking though (??)
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