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A review by dreaminfables
Earthlings by Sayaka Murata
5.0
“What I'm really scared of is believing the words society makes me speak are my own.”
TW: child abuse, rape, murder, cannibalism
I finished reading this one a week ago but it has taken me some time to collect my thoughts.
Do not be fooled by this cute cover or the synopsis that introduces an eleven year old Natsuki who believes that she has magical powers. This is a dark book, a commentary on the lives of children who are met with negligent care and or abuse, on society when it fails to acknowledge these events as formative of trauma and more so wishes that the adults shrug off their trauma and lead a normal life, in accordance with societal norms. If people choose to or cannot act accordingly then their behaviour is deemed problematic and in want of correction.
Natsuki finds an explanation for her mother's disregard and oppressive behaviour towards her in the reasoning that she couldn't have been a member of the human species and is an alien.
The writing is straightforward, bizarre and yet captivating. The tone is conversational and lets one easily into Natsuki's head. We follow Natsuki through many life altering events that have gravely impacted her adult life.
In the author's other novel, Convenience Store Woman, the main character hides behind the daily normalcy to lead a life that is less questionable. In this one, the theme is same but the author has come up with the WHY. Even though this book made me very uncomfortable, I liked it very much.
With books I enjoy those that are what I look for in literature or those where I feel that the author has met with their objective, that they have effectively conveyed their message through their work. This one is of the latter kind.
All in all, I recommend this book only to those who are interested in books that question society's hypocritical standards of individualism and community and can read it despite the trigger warnings.
“Society was a system for falling in love. People who couldn't fall in love had to fake it. What came first: the system or love?”
TW: child abuse, rape, murder, cannibalism
I finished reading this one a week ago but it has taken me some time to collect my thoughts.
Do not be fooled by this cute cover or the synopsis that introduces an eleven year old Natsuki who believes that she has magical powers. This is a dark book, a commentary on the lives of children who are met with negligent care and or abuse, on society when it fails to acknowledge these events as formative of trauma and more so wishes that the adults shrug off their trauma and lead a normal life, in accordance with societal norms. If people choose to or cannot act accordingly then their behaviour is deemed problematic and in want of correction.
Natsuki finds an explanation for her mother's disregard and oppressive behaviour towards her in the reasoning that she couldn't have been a member of the human species and is an alien.
The writing is straightforward, bizarre and yet captivating. The tone is conversational and lets one easily into Natsuki's head. We follow Natsuki through many life altering events that have gravely impacted her adult life.
In the author's other novel, Convenience Store Woman, the main character hides behind the daily normalcy to lead a life that is less questionable. In this one, the theme is same but the author has come up with the WHY. Even though this book made me very uncomfortable, I liked it very much.
With books I enjoy those that are what I look for in literature or those where I feel that the author has met with their objective, that they have effectively conveyed their message through their work. This one is of the latter kind.
All in all, I recommend this book only to those who are interested in books that question society's hypocritical standards of individualism and community and can read it despite the trigger warnings.
“Society was a system for falling in love. People who couldn't fall in love had to fake it. What came first: the system or love?”