“Earthlings” by Sayaka Murata was an incredible read

I just finished “Eartlings” by Sayaka Murata and I am left speechless by the experience.

This was my first book with this author, and I knew coming in that it was a “disturbing” book. That is all I knew.

Despite the difficult sujbects and themes explored in the book, I feel like it portrayed the feeling of alienation perfectly. It also captured the dichotomy of childhood, both inmocent and whisical, while simultaneously being dangerous and disempowering.

The themes of bodily autonomy versus societal pressure was taken to radical proportions, but I enjoyed the how Murata takes us through thsi extreme thought experiement via her story.

While reading I felt dread, disgust,hope, whimsy, and ended up rooting for the popinpophobians despite the grotesque reality of their living situation.

All in all, this is both disturbing and weirdly hopeful. Despite the outrageous events I could still relate to some of the main character’s feelings and thoughts.

I can only recomend for people to read and experience it for themselves, but be warned as it does contain sensitive topics (so please look up some of its many trigger warnings if you are someone who has sensitivities).

What did you think after finishing this book? It’s such a weird one that I am curious how others enjoyed it (or not).