You can always relay on Sayaka Murata to write unusual books. This is no exception. The writing was excellent and I felt very intrigued as to what would happen. There seemed to be many ways it could go. If you like slightly unusual narratives then this is one for you. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I have read the other translated novels by Murata, so I was so excited to get my hands on her next release.

This story follows our main character Amane throughout her life, from childhood to adulthood, and her questions surrounding relationships, sex, family and conception. The society our protagonist lives in is constantly changing in regards to these topics, and we get to experience her changing opinions and thoughts throughout.

For me, this novel was a bit too messy. Murata is an author who doesn't shy away from complex and uncomfortable topics, but I was left confused about the purpose of some of the topics introduced. I was also very unsure what the protagonist really thought/felt during the novel, and a lot of questions raised where quite repetitive.

The ending to this left me staring a wall, it's very dark and very unsettling.

Unfortunately, this was only a *2.5 for me, but I will continue to read Murata's work as it is so unique.

Sayaka Murata’s works are something special, written as by a child from a different dimension, so innocent and pure, so twisted in its understanding of the world and so profound in its emotional intelligent. This book is on another field of existence, it’s something sublime and it has the means to wreck you from inside out. It touches the themes of love, sex, family and procreation. I really loved the romanticizing of fictional characters, this is so relatable to me, being in love with nonreal person is the common expression of love in this world. Family is something that is going to vanish eventually and the old ways of the world are evolving into new artificial reality. It’s a typical Sayaka Murata book, weird and wacky, if you loved her other works you will most definitely love this one as well. 4.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Granta Publications for providing me with the ARC.

My brain cannot comprehend what I have just read. I was hooked on this book and read it all in one day. If you like any of Sakaya Muratas other books then you will probably enjoy this one, she just has a distinct writing style to me. Much like other Murata this book delved into societal constructs. This book was weird with deeper meanings but I will have to sit and think and reflect for a couple days about them. The one thing that confused me and really let me down was the ending? I have no idea what the ending was to mean or why she decided to add that part. However, I would reccomend this book if you like other Murata titles and it’s a short, quick read.