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neilazaara 's review for:
Earthlings
by Sayaka Murata
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book…. 🤯
The only cute thing about this book is it’s cover!
Don’t be fooled by it, this short story has all the possible and imaginable trigger warnings! (Yes, any you could imagine!)
This story is very much aligned with the themes from Murata’s first book (Convenience Store Woman), and put emphasis on society pressure to act ‘normal’ and fit in. However, Earthlings takes a spin on that topic by being even more shocking, heartbreaking and gruesome and completely unhinged!
I don’t get easily weirded out or touched by much but this book although written in such a flowing and easy manner, is definitely one where you have to hang on and be ready for all kinds of weird, horrifying and twisted.
If you think you’re ready for this novel, then you’re wrong. NO ONE can be ready for such a unique and dark story.
I know this is marked as horror and although I do get why it would be tagged as such, the horror component doesn’t come until the last few pages and the whole story is entirely believable and anchored in reality. It is so much anchored in reality that our MC finds detachment strategies and a whole imaginary world as a child (that carries into adulthood) to cope with the harsh and crude reality, trauma and abuse.
Overall, this books is thought provoking, weird, crazy, gruesome, dark and shocking. Beautifully written, it’s a unique little gem to discover. I do recommend but I beg you to check the triggers and I warn you it’s dark and weird so be ready for a mad ride!
How far would you go to be yourself?
The only cute thing about this book is it’s cover!
Don’t be fooled by it, this short story has all the possible and imaginable trigger warnings! (Yes, any you could imagine!)
This story is very much aligned with the themes from Murata’s first book (Convenience Store Woman), and put emphasis on society pressure to act ‘normal’ and fit in. However, Earthlings takes a spin on that topic by being even more shocking, heartbreaking and gruesome and completely unhinged!
I don’t get easily weirded out or touched by much but this book although written in such a flowing and easy manner, is definitely one where you have to hang on and be ready for all kinds of weird, horrifying and twisted.
If you think you’re ready for this novel, then you’re wrong. NO ONE can be ready for such a unique and dark story.
I know this is marked as horror and although I do get why it would be tagged as such, the horror component doesn’t come until the last few pages and the whole story is entirely believable and anchored in reality. It is so much anchored in reality that our MC finds detachment strategies and a whole imaginary world as a child (that carries into adulthood) to cope with the harsh and crude reality, trauma and abuse.
Overall, this books is thought provoking, weird, crazy, gruesome, dark and shocking. Beautifully written, it’s a unique little gem to discover. I do recommend but I beg you to check the triggers and I warn you it’s dark and weird so be ready for a mad ride!
How far would you go to be yourself?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Cannibalism, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment