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A review by amymariereads
Life Ceremony by Sayaka Murata
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It's safe to say I will read anything by Sayaka Murata - I adore her take on society and what it means to conform to normality.
Once again, Life Ceremony does not disappoint. Each story with its own take on society and sometimes questioning the norms and morals of the people in the tale. Some of the stories are harder to read than others, but each with their own reason and purpose. I was left pondering after each one, and if the purpose was not obvious to me - I would take some time to think about the reasoning of that short.
I know many people discovered Sayaka Murata off of the success of Convience Store Woman and maybe had a shock when they picked up Earthlings. And this book of short stories I had to jump at the chance to pick up.
The short stories included were titled:
A First-Rate Material
A Magnificent Spread
A Summer's Nights Kiss
Twos Family
The Time of the Large Star
Poochie
Life Ceremony
Body Magic
Lovers on the Breeze
Eating the City
Puzzle
Hatchling
Some longer than others, some making you question your own morals, and making you think "would i?".
As well as some heart warming tales where you pine for certain people. I could easily see some of these Short Story themes making it into future Black Mirror episodes - or at least something which commentates on the human race and the future of society.
I dont want to go into spoiler territory but I would recommend you maybe taking this at a slower pace, even limiting yourself to one short per day. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and if anything it's just left me wanting more Murata immediately!
PS: I think my favourite short story was Life Ceremony and the grimicing look into society, the future, and how things that feel morally wrong can be rewritten for the public perception and become the norm over time.
Once again, Life Ceremony does not disappoint. Each story with its own take on society and sometimes questioning the norms and morals of the people in the tale. Some of the stories are harder to read than others, but each with their own reason and purpose. I was left pondering after each one, and if the purpose was not obvious to me - I would take some time to think about the reasoning of that short.
I know many people discovered Sayaka Murata off of the success of Convience Store Woman and maybe had a shock when they picked up Earthlings. And this book of short stories I had to jump at the chance to pick up.
The short stories included were titled:
A First-Rate Material
A Magnificent Spread
A Summer's Nights Kiss
Twos Family
The Time of the Large Star
Poochie
Life Ceremony
Body Magic
Lovers on the Breeze
Eating the City
Puzzle
Hatchling
Some longer than others, some making you question your own morals, and making you think "would i?".
As well as some heart warming tales where you pine for certain people. I could easily see some of these Short Story themes making it into future Black Mirror episodes - or at least something which commentates on the human race and the future of society.
I dont want to go into spoiler territory but I would recommend you maybe taking this at a slower pace, even limiting yourself to one short per day. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and if anything it's just left me wanting more Murata immediately!
PS: I think my favourite short story was Life Ceremony and the grimicing look into society, the future, and how things that feel morally wrong can be rewritten for the public perception and become the norm over time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Death, Excrement, and Grief
Minor: Sexual content