boundtwobooks's review against another edition
5.0
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If you read Sayaka Murata’s novel Earthling, the first thing that might come to mind once you have finished is, “What did I just read?!”
The book is strange and disconcerting. There is incest, sexual assault, cannibalism, murder, and a tiny hedgehog that can talk. If you look at it from a surface level, the book is just very weird. Although, the crux of the story is based on a family completely neglecting their child Natsuki to the point where she invents worlds and aliens – including talking hedgehogs – so she can cope with the assault and neglect that she endures.
“Would I ever be able to live without constantly trying to survive?”
It is a testament to the human mind to try and find a way to cope and survive, no matter what. The relationship between Natsuki and her cousin Yuu is painful, yet there is also this longing. This book is short, but it packs a punch. If you want to have everything you have ever believed in challenged and flipped on its head, then Murata is the author for you.
If you read Sayaka Murata’s novel Earthling, the first thing that might come to mind once you have finished is, “What did I just read?!”
The book is strange and disconcerting. There is incest, sexual assault, cannibalism, murder, and a tiny hedgehog that can talk. If you look at it from a surface level, the book is just very weird. Although, the crux of the story is based on a family completely neglecting their child Natsuki to the point where she invents worlds and aliens – including talking hedgehogs – so she can cope with the assault and neglect that she endures.
“Would I ever be able to live without constantly trying to survive?”
It is a testament to the human mind to try and find a way to cope and survive, no matter what. The relationship between Natsuki and her cousin Yuu is painful, yet there is also this longing. This book is short, but it packs a punch. If you want to have everything you have ever believed in challenged and flipped on its head, then Murata is the author for you.
svincent2210's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-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? It's complicated
3.0
weirdest book i’ve ever fucking read in my life
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Vomit
adhithi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
bsinclaire's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Honestly think this one from Murata was just a bit too weird for me with a lot of really challenging and absurd themes. I understand what the book was trying to do and I was kinda on board but at the same time I really just think the characters were insane. Guess I’m just too much of an Earthling lol
skaterghost's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-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
3.5
liiiii's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
acannaeread's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
classyklassen's review against another edition
4.25
this was so so weird. kooky. quirky. odd. i loved it though??? ok the surface this sounds like a book that would not be good and would not have a message, trying to explain the plot of this book is so weird (literally explained the whole thing to Natasha and I felt like am idiot the whole time for saying that I enjoyed it) and despite it's weirdest it had so much heart?? this is a quietly heartbreaking story but it's so fun? and weird? yes there arebut this was a good read. and yes I was moved and have a new perspective on life. slay. (also her more popular book convince store woman I actually did not enjoy, i would more highly recommend you read this one!!!)
Spoiler
two 11 year old cousins having sex on top of their freshly dead grandpa's grave_readers_alley's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0