Booknotes : Earthlings
Horrid dystopia, dark, emotional and strange journey. Truth that remains taboo
Earthlings by Sayaka Murata
Book Details
Published in 31 Aug 2018
247 pages
Japanese fiction
Atmosphere
Horrid dystopia, dark, pitch black, creepy, emotional and strange journey that’s somehow close to our reality!
If you have read Convenience Store Women (CSW), this is not the same experience. It inherited similar theme to CSW but pitch dark version.
There’s trigger warning here - child abuse, rape, paedophile, incest, graphical sexual assault, murder and canabalism 😭
A gist of thoughts
Again, I’m reminding you that this book ~ the horror it gave me, creeps me up, like watching a Black Mirror series - this fiction is set in our world, about an 11 year old girl, Natsuki who believed she’s an alien from Popinpobopian planet. She’s been dissaproved by her mother, oftenly being hit and described her as annoying and troublesome. While the father usually ignore Natsuki’s existence. Both parents pay more attention to and love Natsuki’s sister, who’s also treating her like she’s not worthy. Natsuki grew up to be different, isolated and lonely among the people around her ~ believes that she’s just not fit for the society’s standard and still convinced of her non-earthlings status even when she’s adult. She felt like she’s an outsider, surpressed her emotion and desire as a human being when it comes to her naturally believing that desire is part of influence from the ‘human’s brainwashing’. There are few chapters of Natsuki’s pitch dark childhood (Chapter 3 - be ready for it!) and sequence of other events that alter her thoughts, distort her logical ability in life as a human. With pressure from the society continue to mount, Natsuki becomes like a robot with no feelings. Although this book is only 247 pages, is also a page turner, but there are times I had to put it down and walk away with my emotions. It’s a heavy reading deeply disturbing. I didn’t touch this book for 3 days, it pissed me and made me cry. Not a book that you will forget easily, it’s buried within an actual reality in the world that we’re living in.
Favourite quotes, words & others
The image I found and added to the blog serves as an illustrative representation only, to help convey the essence of what I read.
It’s hard for me to find a favourite quotes that makes me happy, most of the time I was pissed and angry with how true the world system works.
“Look, I know what you went through was awful, but aren’t you letting him win? Finding happiness is best revenge. Th elonger you continue to mope, the longer the dirty old man will be rejoicing” - Miho
Energy worth spent to focus on future, and finding better life than dwelling in the past
Moving on is a strength!
“People will think you’re strange if you say such odd things,” Yuu said after checking that Uncle Teruyoshi had gone. “And once they think you’re strange, life will get really hard for you, you know.” He sighed and sat down :
Odd is strange. Society does not accept those looking and acting different. It's a truth in our world, though taboo to bring up.
Truth remains taboo
Survive whatever it takes
This forces people to do anything as long as they are accepted in the society
I was keenly aware that I was unable to fulfill my duty as a tool for the Baby Factory. Being a Popinpobopian, I just couldn’t understand Earthlings. On Earth, young women were supposed to fall in love and have sex, and if they didn’t, they were “lonely” or “bored” or “wasting their youth and would regret it later!”
Earth's norms on love and sex seemed so different, the expectation and what’s considered “normal” is so intense, mirroring reality closely.
People can easily pass judgment on others when they’re protected by their own normality - You’re unable to see perspective when you are living in your own bubble
Judgment blinds to diverse perspectives.
I had never been given any affirmation at home, so I was hungry for praise. When I was complimented, even on a whim by a hysterical teacher, my chest grew hot, and for some reason I felt like crying.
Praise hunger from home's absence. Since Natsuki was totally ignored by her parents and sister
I was used to Mom saying I was hopeless. And she was right, I really was a dead loss.
Every child believes what their parents told them. Parents should not be labelling their own kids.
Ever since I was little I’d had the habit of imitating my friends’ use of emoji and style when texting.
Imitating as an adaptive coping, to be accepted and seen the same as others
You know very well how much I hate people who insist on their rights while neglecting their duty
Sexist duty expectations persist.
But that . . . It was just a silly childhood fantasy. It’s not reality.” “What is reality? To me it looks like you’re forcing yourself to become an Earthling
Thinking about childhood dreams: Sometimes, those make us who we are. But, growing up, we forget them, following what society says is real for adults.
We judged what we saw not in terms of knowledge or culture but in terms of whether or not it was rational. The kind of “rationality” that’s normal to us limits diverse understanding and seeing new perspective.
My reflections
Beauty of Japan : Charming view of Japan in fall and winter
Societal Molding and Assumptions
Society tells us how to look and act, often making negative assumptions based on their own insecurities and ignorant beliefs.
Isolation for Different Perspectives
People with unconventional views can feel alone and pressured to be the same as everyone else.
We should learn to be ourselves, think from our own perspectives, and not copy others.
Overarching Social Pressure
People desperately want to be accepted, but it's hard when they have to choose between fitting in and being themselves.
Challenging Taboos and Refusing Judgment
The story questions things people don't usually talk about and shows us what's good or bad in society.
Some people are scared of the truth and different opinions.
Patriarchal Society and Women's Role
Women are treated like objects and expected to do certain things.
Gender equality is important, and everyone should be treated the same.
Women should know their self-worth is not depending on the attentions given from others, especially sexually from men.
Unmarried/ Childfree women are OFTENLY treated like a broken tools; disrespected.
Coping Mechanism: Imagining Alternate Worlds
Some people hide their feelings to fit in, and imagining a different world helps them cope.
Natsuki uses imaginary friends to feel accepted and deal with her sadness and anger.
Rejection of Oddity and Differences
Society rejects those who look and act different, reflecting the harsh truth of our world.
It’s slippery slope for those who practice non-conformity
Candid Address of Taboo Subjects
"Earthlings" talks openly about things that are usually kept secret or seem strange, till it hurts other people feelings.
It asks us to think about how we treat others and not judge based on our own beliefs. Remember, just because something is unfamiliar doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Our ideas can hurt people's feelings deeply.
Taboos are just a form of brainwashing too. Who creates “taboo”? Taboos limit understanding, it feels to me it might be just right that society brainwashing subtly.
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️
5.0 stars! Dumbledore’s wisdom shines brightly in this pure wizardry of a book! Every scene unfolds with a new perspective, imparting profound life lessons and weaving the fabric of our reality. This unconventional gem pushes boundaries, delves into complex subjects, and led me to deep reflections, occasionally plunging into the darkness. The writing is bold, offering a unique and enriching experience.
Here’s how I rate books I read #JanuaryInJapan #JapaneseLiterature #AsianLiterature #Fiction #Earthlings #SayakaMurata
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