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beca_reads 's review for:
Earthlings
by Sayaka Murata
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This definitely goes down as one of the strangest books I've read, and also one of the best book's I've read in a while. Outlining the plot would give too much away but the book makes some interesting points.
I think one of the biggest themes running through the book is how society views women as machines that are made to breed and is their only use to society. Natsuki does not want to conform and become a tool for society, she wants to live freely, and not have that pressure that society puts on women. She ends up marrying to try and escape the pressures her family are putting on her and to get away from the abuse they inflicted upon her as child. She experiences horrific abuse from a teacher who uses his power to lure her in and abuse her, and she is not believed when she tries to tell those around her; I think this adds to wanting to escape and her lack of trust in men and those around her. Her parents and sister are equally abusive and have little to no care for her, and she continues to have a complex relationship with them throughout the book.
I think one of the biggest themes running through the book is how society views women as machines that are made to breed and is their only use to society. Natsuki does not want to conform and become a tool for society, she wants to live freely, and not have that pressure that society puts on women. She ends up marrying to try and escape the pressures her family are putting on her and to get away from the abuse they inflicted upon her as child. She experiences horrific abuse from a teacher who uses his power to lure her in and abuse her, and she is not believed when she tries to tell those around her; I think this adds to wanting to escape and her lack of trust in men and those around her. Her parents and sister are equally abusive and have little to no care for her, and she continues to have a complex relationship with them throughout the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail