Reviews with content warning for Physical abuse - Maan asukit

Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Maan asukit by Sayaka Murata

335 reviews

staticspider's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

This book is marketed as a horror book but there is a difference between horror and depravity... this isn't horror. One thing I will say is that they depicted abuse perfectly. Unfortunately there is no help for those struggling in this story. Trigger warning for those interested: child abuse, sexual abuse, suicide, incest, cannibalism, victim blaming, and a large amount of undiagnosed/ untreated mental health issues.

Content Warnings

shoelace's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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readingintothevoid's review against another edition

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challenging dark

4.5

WOAH. I did NOT expect this AT ALL. All I’d heard about this book is that it’s weird and that there’s this little alien hedgehog stuffed animal. So I went into this thinking it was going to be a silly book and that could not have been further from the truth.

MASSIVE trigger warnings for verbal and physical child abuse by parents, a teacher grooming and sexually assaulting an elementary school girl and then her mother beating her, not believing her, and blaming her. Attempted suicide. And then several more people throughout the book not believing and blaming the sexual assault survivor.

Honestly, if I’d known about these triggers beforehand, I wouldn’t have read the book and if I hadn’t read from and liked Sayaka Murata before, I would have quit when the grooming began.

BUT I had really enjoyed the book so far and loved Convenience Store Woman so I persevered and I’m glad I did.

I can see why this isn’t super highly rated—same as Convenience Store Woman, but I love a book that really truly dives deep in questioning social norms and pushing the boundaries of what’s acceptable. Sayaka Murata does this in a way that so many authors try and fail to—a way that is absolutely uncomfortable, but that in my opinion isn’t gratuitous, purely for shock value, or seemingly promoting the acts of horror depicted.

My heart aches for the children in this story and the adults they become and I feel only rage and disdain for the “normal” people in their lives. I 100% believed the feelings and actions of Natsuki and was horrified as well as astonished and understanding of the ways she coped with her trauma. GUH I am DISGUSTED by what happened in this book, but not by the popinpobopians who were surviving after terrible trauma. I’m not saying I’m advocating for following their lead (although Natsuki taking out that “witch”, I do support), but I do understand and they never sought to hurt anyone else—just survive against harm and attacks from the “norms”.

Anyway, I’m rambling now cuz this has me all twisted up especially because even while this story seems like it might be a little far fetched—it actually isn’t. Children and the adults they grow into deal with this type of trauma every day and they all find different ways to cope.

I think Sayaka Murata is now officially an auto buy author for me.

Content Warnings

frozenheartv's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

4.25 stars

Wow wow... Writing this review is pretty challenging for me because i don't know at some points how i should feel after reading the ending.

I'm going to start with the fact that the author has a profounding talent in building up the story, it hooks me from start to end and i couldn't stop reading it until almost 4am. It's heartbreaking to read, very traumatizing in some parts, very deep story that make me think a lot afterward but also horrific to read sometimes. I think the horrifying parts are there for a reason. At first, after reading the ending, i was like "wtf", it kinda ruin the whole book for me but then after thinking further, i think it was a spectacular ending. The ending has to be there for this story to mark a space in your heart.

I adore Convenience Store Woman from this author. My take is that Earthlings is kinda like Convenience Store Woman sequel but not really a sequel. Convenience Store Woman has very similar concept but stops in a middle way. Earthlings continues form there with different characters and story but delves deeper into the psyche and the way the society can push people over the limit.

All in all, i think it's a terrific book but i have to give it a little bit lower score than CSW because for me Earthlings' messages are delivered a bit less powerful compare to the other book. Less powerful in a sense that CSW story is more condense and easier to absorb, therefore, it feels more powerful while Earthlings messages are delivered too strong that it makes me sick physically

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lollipup's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I borrowed this audiobook from the library knowing only that the genre was horror. I definitely should have looked into it more before diving in. This book is very very dark.
I genuinely still don't think I even understand what I just read. If you like crazy mindfuck stories you will probably like this. Just check the content warnings for sure.

Content Warnings