Scan barcode
fishreads's review
- 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? No
2.0
I was through the worst of it and I could even see some parallels with 'Convenience Store Woman' with the characters struggling with the pressures of society to conform to its rules. I was still telling myself that reaching the end will be worth it for sure.
Except, with so little of the story left, the plot took a turn towards grotesque. The ending was completely batshit crazy. I was wrong, this was not worth it at all.
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Murder, Suicide attempt, Vomit, Incest, Pedophilia, Gore, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Suicide
pumpkinpuke's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Cannibalism
roesalow's review
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Eating disorder, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, and Murder
freyatinu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Cannibalism, Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Murder
elizabeth159's review
3.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Murder, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Cannibalism, Incest, Child abuse, and Adult/minor relationship
chaotic_wholesome's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Rape
sohva's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Murder, Cannibalism, Violence, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Incest, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Pregnancy and Death of parent
fantomina's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Murder, Incest, Cannibalism, and Sexual assault
mellbutrin's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Murata tells a horrifying, yet beautifully written, story of Natsuki, an elementary school student, experiencing sexual abuse from her teacher and emotional and physical abuse from her close family. To cope with this abuse, Natsuki creates a magical system and imagines herself as an alien wizard, distinct from the "Earthlings" around her.
As a grown woman, Natsuki's belief that she is an alien only intensifies, a consequence of her husband believing in both her fantasies and her description of society as a "Factory" for reproducing and working. This folie à deux encourages the couple to perform despicable acts in order to escape the "Factory" and distinguish themselves from "Earthlings."
Natsuki is vividly brought out as a character. She is compellingly sympathetic, and though Natsuki's actions frequently go against social taboos, Murata’s careful exploration of Natsuki’s philosophy and psychology makes it easy to understand why she performs them.
I cannot recommend this book to anyone. However, for those who can endure painfully explicit scenes of sexual and physical abuse, suicidal ideation, incest, and cannibalism, this book offers a worthwhile portrayal of self-discovery and survival, along with decent social commentary.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Gore, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Blood, Cannibalism, Incest, Rape, Murder, Violence, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Suicide
dnvrdnvr's review
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, and Sexual assault