Earthlings | Book Review

[@enoughofyourbile]

I LOVED this book! I think the author does such an excellent job showing what strange concepts we have normalized in society in comparison to the concepts we have deemed "strange". Thanks for the review, as always it was great!

[@TheArtisanGeek]

Yes I totally agree, it was an absolutely jarring experience!! Thanks so much for watching! :D

[@KatzePiano]

I devoured this book in a couple of days and think it's truly brilliant. It's deeply disturbing and graphic in places, but it all serves a purpose and I have a feeling it's one that will stick with me for a long time. I've not yet read Convenience Store Woman, but I definitely plan to!

[@ceasec]

I adored this book! I got it the minute it released and read until I had finished it. What a strange, disconcerting novel. I loved how the perspective of being a societal alien was taken to such an extreme. It’s the type of writing that stays with you due to the force of the imagery and the resulting questions you can’t really turn away from. Thanks for uploading-as always, your content is brilliant!

[@TheArtisanGeek]

Yes exactly!! It's funny how I have read a year worth of books now after Earthlings and yet the reading experience is far more vivid than most of the others. Either way, I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it as well and thank you so much for watching my review!! :D

[@caitlin3976]

I just finished this book a couple weeks ago! What a wild ride it was; some parts were so hard to read. The way Murata writes left me feeling so uneasy but in the best way. I spent the next couple hours after finishing the book reading interviews with Murata bc I had to know more about her and her work- I’m hooked!!

[@TheArtisanGeek]

Yeah I totally agree!! Did the exact thing when I finished reading Convenience Story Woman -- she's such an interesting author!!

[@sweetpeabee4983]

I just finished Earthlings the other day and loved it, so I wanted to go back and hear your thoughts on it! It's strange. I know the subject matter is super heavy and the book is alternately disturbing and affecting because of it. But...okay, so I have a horrible sense of humor, but I also found the novel _extremely_ funny at times (in a dark sort of way). Like, the scene where Yuu convinces Natsuki that she needs to tell her husband about spoilers from their childhood, and right as she's about to over breakfast, he blurts out something _way_ more extreme than what she was gonna say. 😂 The exchange afterwards, too, where Yuu has to explain why her husband's idea is Bad Actually and her husband is convinced...for completely the wrong reasons lol. Idk how to explain it, but it's like Earthlings sometimes gives off the same sort of almost campy vibe that you'd get from an Asian drama. My mum watches a lot of these, so I recognize a lot of the same tropes, too. Ex: the excessively evil female family members are a staple villain of that kind of show, and an uncomfortable amount of dramas have girls marrying their former K-12 teachers while never acknowledging how weird that is -- many even portray that as a very good match for the girl because he is college-educated. 🤮 I love how Murata takes such a sanitized genre where the happy ending is usually that everyone forgives everyone (no matter how extreme the wrong done to them), marries who they're supposed to and settles into having children, and she just...savagely twists it beyond recognition.

[@bubbliefrost8958]

I love your outfit! It’s so cute!

[@TheArtisanGeek]

Thank you so much!! :D

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I had to take a moment after reading the ending too. 😄 Great hearing your thoughts and why you appreciated the novel so much. I see how shocking events become is a way of reinforcing the seriousness of the message about alienation, but I think it detracted from the power of the story which I personally felt was more subtly and movingly done in Convenience Store Woman.

[@TheCrimsonStitchery]

I had pretty much the same reaction as you to this book! Your analysis is spot on and it's nice to know that I'm not alone in feeling simultaneously disturbed and....yet somehow appreciative of the commentary she's making about conformism.

[@annalisaely4298]

My ears definitely perked up when you said "asexual husband", yes please!

[@TheArtisanGeek]

He doesn't play much of a rule, but I believe Convenience Store Women's MC is ace :)

[@necromancer-x]

I've never heard of a story with an asexual husband in it, I'm intrigued!

[@annalisaely4298]

Part of it is even having an asexual person who is a man, which is less common rep, but also having an asexual person being married, which many aphobic people think can't happen or work, so that's especially valuable even as a small character. But thank you for letting me know, that's helpful to be aware of before hand.

[@moonjui]

but the husband ISNT asexual though? he's heterosexual, which is stated in the book. its more that he's sex repulsed and can't stand the sight of a woman's body (due to some trauma). I think it's kind of harmful to conflate the two things actually, being ace isn't the same thing as feeling sex repulsion (but still experiencing attraction) due to trauma :/

[@MishelleLexi]

I read Earthlings when it came out a couple months back, I liked it but I didn't love it. I was not ready for how shocking the ending was. The more distance I've thought about this book though, the more I can appreciate Murata's exploration of otherness.

[@portiapans537]

I read this last week and it was such a strange read! It was like a much more extreme Convenience Store Woman

[@TheArtisanGeek]

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it!! And yeah it totally is Convenience Store Woman: The Hardcore Level

[@kerdublin3251]

I just finished this book yesterday evening and I was…not prepared for the ending at all. What a wild ride it was. Can’t say I wish the experience on anyone but it definitely was a fascinating and fantastically written story worth checking out if you’ve ever felt at odds with society or standards.

[@aquarius1986]

I’m feeling the same after finishing the audiobook. I’d really like to hear the author discussing the ending more, or any discussion of the ending because it was so extreme. I can think of how it ties in with previous themes, but it felt a little disappointing after such an amazing book.

[@TheArtisanGeek]

Yeah for sure! Murata in her other works (that have yet to me translated) also deal with this type of social ostracisation and I would really love to read more of it :)

[@TheArtisanGeek]

I have been looking for interviews, but have only managed to find those with her talking about Convenience Store Woman.

[@restorelli]

I love everything in you. Your pronunciation, your vocabulary, the way you treat the language, that reveals your kind personality and of course your creative outfit. Please, keep up the good work, inspire us to be better persons and study more...

[@ib43322]

Thank you for the review! I absolutely loved "Convenience Store Woman", so I'll be sure to read this. Have you read any of Yoshimoto Banana's novels? She is another fantastic Japanese author whose work seems to have similar themes to Murata's. "Amrita" is my favorite by her. I'm also attempting to read 彼女について in the original Japanese, though it's been slow going so far, lol!

[@TheArtisanGeek]

No I haven't, but she's an author I definitely would like to read in the future!! That's so cool you're trying to read her work in Japanese!! 頑張って！

[@curseofthepirates]

I picked up the book after that clip of you and some other booktubers reacting to the ending. I'm so glad I did, I really enjoyed it as well. I gotta say, I didn't expect the ending either hahaha. I love that you were kinda laughing every time you mentioned it - captures my feelings exactly :V

[@TheArtisanGeek]

Oh I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed the book! And yeah the ending was WILD lol I still gets me every time XD

[@deadvodka]

Thank you for your concise and thorough analysis of this gem of a book. I went in with blue eyes, when it came out and was blown away by the wicked elements present in it. As for every better book, there is a deeper meaning to what is present up front and it takes several readings to grasp the full extent of it. Well done!

[@luca.desu.2590]

very VERY anticipated book VERY excited!!!

[@necromancer-x]

Your outfits are always too cute! 😭I've been experimenting with my style for the past few years, but I'm hardly ever satisfied with how I end up dressing myself, until just recently. Think I've finally found my style... Lots of sparkle and sweaters ;) Anywho-- this book kind of reminds me of the short Victorian story "The Yellow Wallpaper". It's one of my favorites and also deals with oppression of women and mental health.

[@RoisinsReading]

That shirt is so cute! I know I want to read Convenience Store Woman but I'm not sure I could handle this one. The premise sounds so interesting but I don't know if I could deal with the explicit violence. I'm a little too sensitive I think.

[@tiffanyanne7861]

I love your outfit!! thank you for the review. I've been back and forth on this book for a little bit but you've convinced me

[@nico-et3cz]

really liked seeing you make the thumbnail! :) this sounds quite interesting but I'm not sure if I'm actually ever gonna read it because of the content warning. I'll give convenience store woman a try first and then I'll see. thanks for another great video!

[@TheArtisanGeek]

Thanks so much for hanging out Nico!! :D And yeah I would definitely recommend you try CSW out first -- it's a great book! :D

[@malaksouama2001]

I say, indeed, this has a shocking ending if not the most shocking I read. I believe there could not be a better way to describe our societies other than the factory and to this day it remains a dilemma beyond grasp to many. I absolutely adored this review and you❤️.

[@Mizzlogical]

Great review! I agree with you that the ending felt both surprising and inevitable. I felt the same way about this book as a follow-up to Convenience Store Woman: Earthlings seems an inevitable continuation of the themes Murata introduced in her prior novel. Also, KZbin's decision to show weight loss ads with this video really hammers home the themes of societal conformity for me...

[@theamethyst93]

Man this book is absolutely insane, I read it all in one evening. I never predicted that the last half of the book would be so drastically different from the first half…

[@juliaisagoodwitch]

The book sounds interesting

[@TheArtisanGeek]

It's a weird, but really good book!! :D

[@martasoltys9091]

When I finished university I was so sure women and the women's movement was so much further ahead than it actually is. I was sure I'd get married and have babies. Life took a different and darker turn. I didn't plan it that way. However, instead of compassion I experienced exactly what you said, "if you refuse (sometimes fo reasons outside of your power) to use your body to create new life you will be shunned rejected mistreated etc" It is true. I was told I have no value because I'm not a mother. I already felt sad that I wasn't a mother and then I experienced prejudice on top of it. I can't even imagine what women went through before. If it's this bad now, it must've been unbearable before. I might read this book.

[@adelait5815]

Júst finished the book, you're super nice to listen to! Great review :)

[@FIT2BREAD]

That shirt is ridiculous...in a good way! Earthlings wasnt ever on my radar til seeing this pop up tonight. I dont think I'll get to it soon, but will order it based off the review. I just finished reading Remote Control. Have you picked that up?

[@sarahk1695]

I'm making my book club read this in a few months. They will probably hate me but I'm excited ha. Enjoyed your review! 😊

[@TheArtisanGeek]

Oh I'm sure you're going to have exciting discussion!! Thanks so much for watching :)

[@PagesAndStages]

I'm soooo excited for this book! And this review made me even more hyped

[@HeyItsShey]

Maybe I'll start with Convenience Store Woman, since I don't think I'm in the right headspace for this book right now. However this author sounds interesting and I want to read more translated works!

[@HelenaKoonings]

My father gave me this book for Sinterklaas, and you’ve just made it move wayyyy up on my tbr list :D

[@mariarenwarin1597]

Just finished reading the book today, loved it 👌🏽

[@sunnys_journal2027]

It is so interesting to hear your point of view! I read this and did not love it 😅 I do understand the aspect of feeling alienated against the rest of society and how that was taken to an extreme in the book. However, the writing was way too gruesome and uneasy for me to feel anything but good about the book. Obviously I understand that's the point, but some part were just hard to read so yes good job for that but i also was not ready for it all 😂

[@Nyledam89]

This was a great review! The ending was definitely something I didn't expect either. I read the book back in September and I'm still mulling it over in my mind as well. Sadly I don't read Japanese, so I will have to wait for more translations!

[@janbonne]

Love that theme song “dodootdoo”!!! Psyched to consider Muratas work and I really appreciate you pointing out some of the more themes/events to watch out for in terms of possible trauma/abuse. I may start with convenience store woman first before further on ...

[@trasslaren]

Loved watching this again after reading earthlings. Don't think I'll forget the book soon either!

[@P.EnglishLiterature]

It's a very nice review. The book sound interesting and a good reads

[@oliviabrakel6129]

I read this in one sitting. Truly a favorite book of all time for me!

[@almightysupremecourt]

I just finished the book and I really enjoyed it/found it so bothersome - however I feel so confused by the ending!? Am I dumb?? lol it felt like it just ended abruptly!!

[@laurkachmurka6728]

i was looking for an earthlings review and i got so happy hearing you were studying in poland! im polish

[@melissap.3554]

I just found your channel and subscribed. Your voice is so relaxing and I really liked your review :) It was so interesting and calming. I´ll be reading this book ♥️ btw your outfit is so cute!!

[@laurendimke967]

the ending is hard to put into words i totally understand - totally loved the book as well

[@shatteredXmirror]

I had to pause. I was like "is....is this really happening?". This book left an imprint on me.

[@rhodakorley-owu8449]

Lovely review. Curiously, do you use to edit your videos?

[@maelysmay1406]

I read this book and found it fascinating but a bit too much for me! I just couldn't really deal with some of the themes and it was just too extreme for me :( your review was so interesting!

[@misskit123]

It was the last book I read in 2020. I don't think I've read anything stranger in my life. I'm still not sure quite what I think about it!

[@desiraeriddick3005]

Thank you for the review!

[@TheArtisanGeek]

My pleasure! Thanks so much for watching!! :D

[@svtreina3706]

I relate on still thinking about it even a year after I first read it, now I’m considering re-reading it again. Have you read The Vegetarian by Han Kang? I think you would also enjoy it as it explores similar themes. Love your channel !

[@99ancutza]

Your voice is so calming :)

[@harry_ord]

will there be an apartment tour?

[@peachcola2]

I was like “ convenient store woman was so good and the cover was adorable lemme read this one too🤭” this shit fucked me up, I definitely put it up there with Chuck Palanick’s Haunted

[@Monikainlove]

thank you for this review

[@nate4732]

It's a fantastic work, but so deeply uncomfortable that it's hard to say "I loved it", but with that said after the shock is wearing off, what remains is a strange feeling and appreciation of it.

[@andrewglasson592]

haven't read this but read Convenience Store Woman which I liked.

[@jiangchengseyeroll4485]

Hello :) I would like to recommend you Mo Xiang Tong Xiu's books, Mo dao zu shi is my favourite book and it would be nice to hear your opinion about that book.

[@diegovicencio6323]

I appreciate your content

[@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace]

More serenades from Seji! Lol

[@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace]

Books make wonderful language learning motivation 😍 You will get there! Keep it up!!

[@TheArtisanGeek]

Aaa thank you so much Christy!! :D Had loads of fun hanging out with you on the stream! ;D

[@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace]

@@TheArtisanGeek it was awesome!! Thanks for sharing your life with us ☺

[@bookish.bulletin]

This book is nothing like I imagined it would be after learning the title 😅

[@patriciaokiyi9134]

Il first start with the positive points: I liked the feel of the book, and its quirky depiction of a young girl who felt she didn’t fit in to the world around her… Now on the negative: Whilst I really tried to enter the mind of the author and get a real understanding of the book and the characters I have today that this book (especially the ending) is ridiculous. I understand trauma and how it can distance people from reality and make them feel separated from society. I thought this book would take the terrible experience of the characters and the their altered interpretation of reality and delve into what it meant for them as individuals going from traumatised children into their adult lives (in what ever shape or form that took). Instead I feel like it just plopped a bunch of taboos in for shock value and had no where to go with it. The end was TERRIBLE and the most ridiculous of all!!!! Bringing cannibalism in to the mix in such an unrealistic way, void of human emotion or feeling was just crazy to me. It felt like the author wanted to quickly finish the book in an over the top way. This book had potential to go into many different avenues but sadly lost its way.

[@SantReads]

This book was just WILDDDDD. I --

[@scooterlovya]

Do a hair tutorial! Plz

[@TheArtisanGeek]

I have two on my channel :)

[@omarwaheed9359]

Please translate every video ,cuz i wanna learn English