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A review by cozeebee
Earthlings by Sayaka Murata
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
4.5 ✰ ... I think??
I don't know what to think. After reading the essay at the end of the novel, I'm a little... concerned?
It was gripping and incredibly well written although I had to cringe away at most parts in the main character Natsumi's childhood. It was messed up.
I much rather the middle part of the book, when she becomes an adult and learning about her partnership with Tomoya, if that's the proper word to call it.
I just felt generally uncomfortable during this read, but also could not put the book down. Only times I took true breaks were in the beginning. I needed to find out what happened in the end. I accidentally got a spoiler for what was to come, so I kind of guessed what would happen. Though, it didn't shock me any less.
It's funny, because I assumed it would be like The Convenience Store Woman, and had no idea it would be a horror novel until I started to get to the disturbing parts. Truly a shocking novel.
Although there were a lot of shocking parts to Earthlings, everything had a meaning. It didn't seem senseless. There was a clear message behind this story. The after effects of trauma, how the body and mind react to the PTSD and the actions taken afterwards, or sometimes lack of action, were explored in such an unconventional way, but somehow didn't seem as foreign as one might think.
It's hard to give it a rating due to some of the subject matter. For writing alone I would give it a 4.5 stars.
Would I recommend this to anyone? No, I would not.
Someone would have to happen upon it themselves as I did and let curiosity get the better of them.
I would recommend looking up any content warnings before reading. It is quite graphic in more ways than one.
I don't know what to think. After reading the essay at the end of the novel, I'm a little... concerned?
It was gripping and incredibly well written although I had to cringe away at most parts in the main character Natsumi's childhood. It was messed up.
I much rather the middle part of the book, when she becomes an adult and learning about her partnership with Tomoya, if that's the proper word to call it.
I just felt generally uncomfortable during this read, but also could not put the book down. Only times I took true breaks were in the beginning. I needed to find out what happened in the end. I accidentally got a spoiler for what was to come, so I kind of guessed what would happen. Though, it didn't shock me any less.
It's funny, because I assumed it would be like The Convenience Store Woman, and had no idea it would be a horror novel until I started to get to the disturbing parts. Truly a shocking novel.
Although there were a lot of shocking parts to Earthlings, everything had a meaning. It didn't seem senseless. There was a clear message behind this story. The after effects of trauma, how the body and mind react to the PTSD and the actions taken afterwards, or sometimes lack of action, were explored in such an unconventional way, but somehow didn't seem as foreign as one might think.
It's hard to give it a rating due to some of the subject matter. For writing alone I would give it a 4.5 stars.
Would I recommend this to anyone? No, I would not.
Someone would have to happen upon it themselves as I did and let curiosity get the better of them.
I would recommend looking up any content warnings before reading. It is quite graphic in more ways than one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Gore, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Self harm, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Murder