What if you never felt like you belonged on Earth?
Earthlings by Sayaka Murata, author of Convenience Store Woman, is a dark, unconventional and thought-provoking Japanese novel about identity, conformity and the pressure to fit into society.
As a child, Natsuki believes she is an alien from another planet. Her closest companion is a stuffed hedgehog named Piyyut, whom she believes has come from the planet Popinpobopia to help save Earth. During summer visits to her grandparents in the Nagano mountains, Natsuki reconnects with her cousin Yuu, who also believes he is an alien.
As they grow older, both struggle to fit into a society whose expectations feel increasingly unnatural to them. Their attempt to escape the roles imposed upon them leads to an increasingly strange and disturbing journey.
Earthlings explores identity, conformity, family, trauma, alienation and the desire to live outside society's expectations. It is an unusual and challenging work of contemporary Japanese fiction.
Key Features
- Japanese contemporary fiction
- Dark literary fiction
- Magical realism and surreal elements
- Themes of identity and conformity
- Outsider/alienation narrative
- Psychological and emotionally intense storytelling
- Translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori
- By the author of Convenience Store Woman
- Internationally acclaimed Japanese novel
Book Details
| Detail |
Information |
| Title |
Earthlings |
| Author |
Sayaka Murata |
| Translator |
Ginny Tapley Takemori |
| Original Title |
Chikyū Seijin |
| Genre |
Literary Fiction / Magical Realism |
| Language |
English |
| Format |
Paperback |
About the Author
Sayaka Murata is an acclaimed Japanese novelist and the author of Convenience Store Woman, Earthlings and Life Ceremony. Her writing frequently examines social expectations, conformity and people who feel like outsiders.
She has received several major Japanese literary prizes, including the Akutagawa Prize.
About the Translator
Ginny Tapley Takemori is an English translator of Japanese literature. Her translation brings Murata's distinctive, understated style and unusual perspective to English-language readers.
Who Should Read This Book?
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
- Convenience Store Woman
- Japanese translated fiction
- Dark literary fiction
- Surreal and unconventional novels
- Magical realism
- Stories about outsiders
- Books exploring social conformity
- Psychological and unsettling fiction
- Contemporary Japanese literature
