I loved Convenience Store Woman (also by Sayaka Murata, also translated into English by Ginny Tapley Takemori), and Earthlings turns everything about it up to eleven. It’s a far more sophisticated novel, and Murata shows a remarkably keen insight into the psychology of trauma. Elements of the surreal and the horrific make the story tangible, visceral, and unforgettable. Trigger warnings for, um, everything, but absolutely worth the read nonetheless!

A full review of Earthlings is available now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.