Dear friends,

This week’s newsletter includes a review of Earthlings by Sayaka Murata, three great book promotions, and links to books by some up-and-coming authors. 

I hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving this week!

Best,
Jon

Book Review: Earthlings by Sayaka Murata

Okay, WTF did I just read? Earthlings by Sayaka Murata is the most disturbing book I have ever read, yet still a beautiful story. One of the reasons I found this book so shocking is because I went in blind, completely unaware that I was reading a horror novel. I had previously read Convenience Store Woman by the same author, a charming slice-of-life story about a woman who might be on the spectrum. Earthlings is marketed as a coming-of-age novel, so I expected something similar to Convenience Store Woman. Boy, was I wrong.  

Earthlings begins with the main character, Natsuki, in elementary school. Before long, something terrible happens to her. I thought, “Oh no, that’s awful,” and expected things to look up for her. But no—things get much, much worse.  

The book jumps ahead from her childhood, and we meet Natsuki again as a married adult woman. I thought, “I get it now. The book is about how she was able to overcome her disturbing childhood and become a well-adjusted adult.” I was wrong again. The story goes to a place I certainly didn’t see coming. 

Earthlings isn’t for the squeamish or for people who struggle with reading about awful things happening to children. But if you’re looking for a beautifully disturbing book that will haunt your thoughts long after you’ve finished it, I highly recommend this novel.

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