A review by venusinlove
Life Ceremony by Sayaka Murata

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

what the fuck did I just read why did I like it so much?

this book is so shocking that I am at a loss for words, every story is unique in its own way. the writing is outstanding and I genuinely couldn't not love the book.

a first-rate material - very weird but also captivating. somehow you think "that's gross" and then you end up going forward believing that there is no way it could get worse than that.

a magnificent spread - this story made me think so much about so many things. I loved it and I cherish it with my whole heart!

a summer night's kiss - really cute! i liked this one a lot.

two's family - lovely, the relationship doesn't need to be labeled and I loved that about the story!

the time of the large star - short and sad. makes you want to cherish the fact that you can sleep and also, in my part, have dreams.

poochie - sweet and short, not that disturbing. 

life ceremony - I knew this book contained topics such as cannibalism and breaking the norm... yet I was so shocked to read it. there were probably way too many detailed scenes and I don't think it's okay for just anyone to read it... however, I can't say I didn't like the story. it was truly shocking but also captivating. 

body image - kind of bizarre, kind of sweet. somehow it gets disturbing at some point but overall, it was alright.

lover on the breeze - the fact that we get to see the point of view of a non-living object is quite fascinating, it made me confused in the beginning but it made sense(?)

puzzle - amazing! actually, this piece of work reminded me of won-pyung sohn's Almond and i think it was fantastic in its own way, although sounding the same.

eating the earth - cool! yes! it's so well said/written!

hatchlings - i don't like how much i can relate to this one but after reading it i wish to change my whole self-being.

I think some of the stories just don't fit the narrative but is there really such one for sayaka murata? i don't see it so maybe this collection is perfect. i am severely disturbed but i would re-read it again and come back to some of the stories. amazing work!