来自新世界（套装上下册）

From the New World (Novel) #1-6

by Yusuke Kishi

故事发生于1000年以后，人们放弃了高科技，过着日出而作、日落而息的前现代农业生活。与人类的祖先不同的是，这个社会里，每个人都有意念移物、意念点火（“咒力”）等超能力。拥有凡人一样的躯体，却有神一样的能力，有着如此矛盾结构的新人类组成的世界，称为“新世界”。然而这种神的能力对人来说，究竟意味着什么呢？ 轻而易举就能改变物质，告别了一切机械和科技依赖，和大自然水乳交融。学校教育也只有两个等级，幼儿园和“咒力”学校。高强度的劳动由一种新出现的智力生物——化鼠——承担。人人遵守着代替法律的伦理规定，人和人之间洋溢着爱的氛围，生活天然就是幸福的。然而假象看上去有多美，揭开假象之后看到的现实就有多可怕…… “离开小町回头去看，有一件事我看得清清楚楚——我们的小町，很扭曲。 为了维持小町的安定和秩序，不断杀害孩子们的小町，还能称之为人类的社会吗？人类从涂满鲜血的历史中走过，才抵达如今的状态。然而即使是和过去最黑暗的时代相比，今天的小町也是并不值得自豪的替代品。 我们已经无法在神栖六十六町活下去了。小町不许我们活下去。只要被打上了失格的烙印，便无法再回到当初了。这不是对待人类的方式，而是和甄选不良品一样的做法，你不觉得吗？当烧瓷窖开启的时候，走型的、有裂纹的瓷器，等待它们的就是被敲碎的命运。

Genres: Fantasy, Japanese Literature, Fiction, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Manga, Japan

Paperback

First published January 23, 2008

About the author

He graduated from Kyoto University with a degree in Economics. After working for a life insurance company for several years, Kishi started his writing career as a freelancer. He has twice won the Japan Horror Novel Award, and boasts bestselling status in Japan with multiple works adapted to the screen. The Crimson Labyrinth marks his American debut.

Awards given to his works:
Japan Horror Novel Award 1997 (Black House), Mystery Writers of Japan Award for Best Novel 2005 (Glass Hammer), Japan SF Taisho Award 2008 (From the New World), Yamada Futaro Award 2010 (Lesson of the Evil), [Kono Mystery ga Sugoi!] Best Japanese Crime Fiction of the Year 2011 (Lesson of the Evil).

Reviews

[Tea's yummy cupcakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

aaaaaaaaa
I want to see it translated :/

[Nərmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! That was a monster, with 900+ pages.. Took me so long to finally finish it. But it was absolutely worth it.
I watched the anime version first and fell in love with it, so I decided to look for the actual novel. It wasn't translated officially, that's why I read fan translation.

The worldbuilding is stunning! The author constructed all the things related to a "new world", from history to biology of this world. It was rich, detailed and interesting to read about brand new world in the future. And with all the tranquility and peacefulness of this world, the plot twist comes when you realize that the world is not as innocent as you thought. I really love utopia-turn-dystopia books and this story delivers it good. The truth was chilling and horrifying.

The plot is amazing. Sure, there were some boring long parts, but generally, it was full of excitement and mystery. The whole novel consists of three parts, combining the childhood, teen years and adulthood of the characters. The idea of "cantus" ( psychokinetic powers), minoshiro and other genetically engineered animals, death feedback (attack inhibition) was used so cleverly that you wouldn't even question it. There were plot twists at each parts and heart-breaking events. The book was incredibly depressing...

The characters were great, especially the main ones. I really loved Satoru, Shun, Saki and Maria. Their friendship, love and support were too strong, although sad things kept happening. So sad that I didn't want to believe it. Here, the fine line between villain and hero was erased, giving us a really complicated story.
There were some intimate moments and some kind of new things that is not quite right for our current society, however they were what made the book interesting and fresh. Honestly, it was one of my favorite science-fiction novels of all time!

[Fatemeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

"As human beings, no matter how many tears we have to shed to learn a lesson, the moment the tears are dry, we forget."

I finished this book a few days ago and I'm still in shock and awe of this masterpiece.

The story is about a group of teenagers and their lives in Japan, many many (hundreds of) years in the future. In that time, humans have evolved and now they have telekinetic powers and the ability to control matter and yet, despite such an amazing advancement, we see that people live the way everyone did before technology was developed. As the story progresses we get to see why the humans live the way they do and slowly, secrets are revealed that will honestly chill you to the bones.

The plot is mind-blowing. The story will keep you on the edge of you seat, waiting to know what happens next. And there's always something happening. There are so many things going on that you may think the author won't be able to tie all loose ends. But in the end, everything comes together nicely, and you'll be left in awe, wondering how the hell everything happened.

Every character in this story is well-developed. There's so much depth to everyone's action and characteristic that you can't help but like everyone. The world is very detailed and complex. The author has been thorough with all his explanations and the basics of his story. Seriously, there's an explanation for everything. Concrete, scientific evidence for every action or interaction. Granted, half of those explanations went over my head, but still. I love me an author who's done his research.

My only problem with the book was that sometimes, the explanations got too much out of hand. This book is almost a thousand pages. Surely, it could have been a little bit shorter? It took me about three months to finish this, which considering all the other books I was reading at the same time, would be pretty self-explanatory. But in the end, even with all the extra information that we may or may not have needed, I can't deny the brilliance of this story. And I would suggest that everyone read it. Read slowly, and enjoy!


This tumblr post explains my emotions throughout the book pretty well




And also Shisei Kaburagi why did you have to die? I loved your eyes too much. Noooooooooooooo

P.S. As there is not yet an official translation, I read a very well-done fan translation that can be found online.

[Zahra Rhm · Rating 4 out of 5]

چیزی که توی این داستان برای من جالب بود نه طرح داستان، نه تخیل فراتر از حد داستان و نه حتی روابط بین کاراکترها بود. بلکه نحوه ی حذف کاراکترها، داستان رو برام متفاوت کرده بود.

داستان در یک شهر اتفاق می افته. شهری با موجوداتی جادویی و اهالی با نیروهای جادویی. در این شهر بچه ها برای بکارگیری نیروهاشون، توی مدارس آموزش می بینن. اما سیاست آموزشی، سخت گیرانه عمل میکنه. یعنی کسایی که در آموزش ضعیف هستن، حذف می شن. همچنین افرادی که به قدری توانایی شون بالاست، که می تونن مخرب باشن. البته این حذف فقط یک حذف فیزیکی (کشته شدن) نیست. بلکه اون افراد از خاطره ی تمام دوستان و آشنایان شون پاک می شن.

داستان حول ماجراهای یک گروه دوستی (در آغاز) شش نفره، می گرده. "ساکی"، شخصیت اصلی داستان، عاشق پسری به نام "شون" ه. دوستی اون ها قبل از شروع کتاب وجود داشته. شون آروم و موقره. همیشه برای کمک به بقیه حاضره و نفر اوله کلاسه. اما سرنوشت اون هم، حذف شدنه. ساکی بعد از کشته شدن "شون" تنها حضورهای خالی شخصی بدون چهره رو به یاد میاره. شخصی که باهاش به تماشای شفق قطبی و ستاره های آسمون می رفته. اما شخص رو به خاطر نمیاره. نه خود شخص و نه چهره ی اون. یعنی تنها به یاد میاره که کسی بوده اما چه کسی رو بیاد نداره. این ماجرا تقریبا اواسط داستان رخ میده، اما ساکی تا اواخر کتاب (که چند سالی گذشته)، نمیتونه عشق دیگه ای جایگزین جای خالی اولین عشقش، عشقی که فقط میدونه وجود داشته، بکنه..

این نحوه حذف کاراکتر که علاوه بر "شون" برای کاراکترهای دیگه ای هم اتفاق می افته، خیلی متاثر کننده ست.
واقعا دردناکه که علاوه بر این که شخصی که دوست داشتی ازت گرفته بشه، تمامی خاطراتی که با اون داشتی هم، ازت گرفته بشه.

پ. ن. کتاب یک داستان عاشقانه نیست، یک ماجراجویی تخیلیه.

p.s. "shun" means talented in japanese.

[44ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the most creative and interesting science-fiction world I've ever experienced.
This book has blown me away on several different levels and I find it ridiculous that it's still not licensed in English.
Kishi's writing is well-structured and unpredictable. He likes to go into details, but not once have I felt bored by them. In fact, my only problem with this book is that a year after finishing it, I'm still craving for more information. The story has concluded nicely, but I feel like this universe has enough potential for at least 3 more books like Shinsekai Yori.

[Lonelyshun · Rating 5 out of 5]

i dont know
how read a book?
please tell me
thank you

[Kumi · Rating 5 out of 5]

ここ何年かの中で、個人的にはNo.1！
息もつかせぬ展開、作者の想像力のすごさにひたすら脱帽。

[Courtney Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I wanted it to be and more. I first heard of Shinsekai Yori when the anime released and I began watching it during that same season. I began searching for a translation and found it, resulting in reading as much as possible, as quickly as possible. A dystopian novel about journeys through life for six unbeknownst kids. The land of Kamisu 66 is not all it's cracked up to be and is slowly broken down to its core. Searching through science fiction in terms of psychic abilities and through politics in terms of government transparency (or lack of), the story expands on a concept not quite replicated from other sci-fi novel's I've read, such as those of Arthur C Clarke, Dan Simmons, and H G Wells. Truly my favorite book!

[Strider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read, the best light-novel I have ever read. There are really interesting topics in this book, reminded me of Orwell's world. The fights were unique and the worldbuilding is top-quality. There was also an awesome twist at the end which really surprised me. I can only recommend this book.

[eren · Rating 5 out of 5]

an absolutely amazing take on a post-apocalyptic dystopia with such a unique story and amazing world-building. big shoutout to the hardworking translators who made this available to read

[Cheng Xu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Il m'a fallu 1 semaine pour m'en remettre

[Roak · Rating 4 out of 5]

cant get how amazing the anime was out of my head and it feels really long winded at times but still kino

[Maksym · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am honestly surprised by how many people see it as a masterpiece, because I think it is a horrible book. Initially presented as a mystery, it very quickly gives answers to all the riddles and becomes more like Terra Formars. And it shows.

The story revolves around a new world, born of disasters of the past. Japan, with only 60000 people left, is transformed into a dystopian country. People live inside the Holy Barriers and hide from outside creatures. Although the humans changed too - they now wield cantus, something like the enhanced imagination, allowing them to manipualte the elements around them.

The main character is Saki Watanabe (a girl, although I did not realise it for 1/4 of the book) and some other kids who study to use their cantus properly. Their world is full of mysteries and the kids learn that their society is very cruel and hideous. Just like the quuerats (hello, skaven!), who swarm the lands across Japan.

What`s good in this book if anything? The beginning. First 20% of the text constitutes a reasonable mystery with two questions: where do people disappear and who/what lives in the sheds in the school`s courtyard. Also, the characters are very well-written. Although some of the comparisons are difficult to follow, like the Lotus Farm metaphor.

It all however is bleak in the face of dozens of problems with the plot. The lexicon is largerly unexplained throughout the text. Why are tainted cats kept where they are? Why did no one tell kids what becoming adult looks like? They might hurt themselves! Why is the book full of things like 'if only we hadn`t done A, the B would never happen'. It spoils the ending and major plot twists so it`s really useless.

Sexualizing is another great problem of the book. Stop sexualising kids for god`s sake! I understand that all yaoi girls are ecstatic about two 12-14 year olds giving each other a deep blowjob. It`s gross and the reasons behind it are... stupid and unexplained. That being said, since the population of Kamisu is scarce, why force kids to focus on homosexual relatioship in the teenage years and forbid it afterwards? How exactly does it help the colony to reproduce? Stress relief? Pfft, please! There were more fiends in this timespan than ever. Why keep the girls virgins? One character loses it and... nothing happens. It`s never ever mentioned again.

Weird deaths - Subaru (Shun`s dog) died a brave but meaningless deaths. Its killer got evaporized a second later. Could Shun save his dog? Yes. Did he do it? No. And the MC`s special someone (no spoilers)? She died and her parents just did nothing? They consesnted to kill their child? This is utterly stupid.

Remember the tainted cats? In the novel they kill no one. We see them four times, all of these times they don`t manage to even wound anyone. Shun kills his, the last fiend kills 12 of them without a scratch, MC kills another one... everyone is alive and well. Why keep them in the first place then?

Tomiko says that there was no hypnosis on MC and her friends. Why do they forget things then?

And the last, which leads to the biggest problem. Queerats invent bullets and bombs. There is a division in Health Department dedicated to preventing it. Do you think they notice this? Ha-ha, and ha-ha again, they don`t. And this leads to a major question: why are queerats allowed to the Holy Barrier? If they weren`t, there would be no disasters whatsoever. But they are despite the fact that all adults say that they are dangerous.

After all this rant the conclusion is simple: the book is just a more elaborate way of bringing the Terra Formars scenario to the reader. The same fight tricks are even used: A, being the strongest, has to say that B is even better. Then B dies a stupid death. Shisei mentions that the oldest woman is the srongest. She has 360 vision, can regenerate and managed to live for almost 275 years. Then she dies because... a stone hit her in the head.

TLDR: don`t waste your time reading this book, the worldbuilding is nonexistent and it looks like there was no editing to this at all.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful dystopian piece, located in a beautiful and uniquely built world that Kishi has clearly constructed with love--and a touch of the uncanny. It haunted me and, much more frequently than I had initially anticipated, surprised me with the depth of the moral questions it poses. I was taken aback by the intensity of several scenes and the very visceral reactions they elicited in me. Ironically (even more so if you've read the book), the more upset, horrified, or shocked I was by a scene or sequence of events, the more I felt compelled to keep reading. I had to see this story to the end. There had to be light at the end of the tunnel. I got to the end of that tunnel in three days--but I won't spoil for those who have not read it whether or not I found light there.

Suffice it to say that this book was an unexpectedly enjoyable read and I wish I could find more of Kishi's works available in English translation. I would highly recommend this for readers over the age of fifteen or sixteen, mostly for graphic violence and generally upsetting themes. There are some scenes of explicit sex, but nothing over-the-top or gratuitous.

[xenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the few fictions I've read that pushes Freud's Civilisation and its Discontents to its extreme. A cynical take on the risk management of both individual and collective desire. The individual reduced to a bureaucrat, the collective reduced to a museum display.

[Ryota Kuwabara · Rating 3 out of 5]

漫画とかアクション映画が好きな人には良いと思うが、３０年の構想と言う割にはまだまだ内容が浅いと思う。期待しすぎたか。いろいろと無理がある設定や先の読める展開には多少がっかりした。何より神道や仏教が妙に描写されているが特に意味はなくデザイン的なものだった点に関して何とも言えない気持ちである

[Kikojian · Rating 5 out of 5]

神作！！！！

[Sharon Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

關鍵字：反烏托邦、種族、戰爭、人性善惡、思想箝制

本書是《惡之教典》作者貴志裕介所寫的科幻反烏托邦大作。作者在書中描繪一個科技落後，但人人皆擁有念動力（書中稱之為「咒力」）的未來社會－－「神栖66町」。在此，人們雖無法使用高科技產品，甚至連電力也是稀缺物，但可以「咒力」製造及運轉工具，以及保衛家園。「神栖66町」裡，人人自給自足，相處和睦，看似世外桃源，但其實由謊言構築而成的「反烏托邦社會」。主要渡邊早季以及她的同伴們，在屢次的冒險犯難中揭開這些謊言，得知人類社會的真相。與此同時，舊時代的幽靈，一直持續被迫害的「化鼠」也開始集結，向壓迫他們的人類討回公道。

一、主題

作者透過「神栖66町」的歷史和社會型態，以及書中人類（現特指能操縱「咒力」的人）及化鼠的關係，來探討世代之間及種族之間的矛盾。

1) 世代之間
在未來世界，人人都有「咒力」，便利日常生活，甚至可以保護自己。但「咒力」其實是一種心靈力量，而人的心靈是沒有界線的，因此「咒力」一旦失控（即人一旦無法掌控自己的心靈），就會產生毀天滅地的恐怖力量。但人類的心靈其實很難完全掌控，也因此一些看似危害不大的精神疾病或人格缺陷，在「咒力」的作用下，使人類寫下比以往更加血腥的歷史。為了使人們能和睦相處，建立穩定社會，科學家便在人類的基因中加上像野狼等社會性動物的基因，讓人類發展出「攻擊抑制」和「愧死機制」，使人類無法攻擊同類，得以和平相處。

但這種人為的抑制手段，終究還是會出現缺陷，從而產生「惡鬼」（「攻擊抑制」和「愧死機制」同時缺失，不受控制到處殺人的異能者）及「業魔」（因一些精神疾病，如抑鬱、恐慌症或妄想症等而出現咒力大量外洩的異能者）。而青少年正值青春期，情緒不穩，變成「惡鬼」及「業魔」的機會更大。因此，為了社會安定，決定剝奪未成年青少年的人權，並以思想控制及暗殺來消滅潛在威脅。

成年人身為現有秩序的既得利益者，對充滿未知的下一代，往往懷著既期待又恐懼的心情。「惡鬼」及「業魔」屬於較誇張的比喻，但事實上，年輕人沒有包袱，亦尚未形成既定思維，有時對社會提出的質疑，很可能會動搖到既有社會秩序，（對既得利益者）帶來災禍。因此「神栖66町」中成年人所做的，其實正是摘除潛在危險份子的舉動。現實社會，成年人把持著政治跟經濟上的話語權，以同樣的態度對待下一代。一方面，他們希望培養出富有創造力的傑出繼承人，便使年輕人互相競爭，淘汰掉競爭中的失敗者。然而一旦繼承人太聰明，開始質疑一些不該質疑的東西，就醜化他們，甚至以武力抹消這些人的存在。在作者眼中，掌握話語權著成年人永遠在世代之爭中佔上風，因為他們可以淘汰任何他們不滿意的存在，最後留下的，只能是一些因循苟且的平庸之輩。

2) 種族之間
如前述所敘，為了使人類得以建立和平社會，人類基因被植入「攻擊抑制」與「愧死機制」，使人類無法攻擊自己的同伴。但因為「愧死機制」是在當人類意識到自己在攻擊同類時，強制以「咒力」自殺，因此沒有「咒力」的人類，無法植入「愧死機制」。但為了能繼續掌有絕對優勢，奴役沒有「咒力」的人類，便把這些人變成裸鼬鼠的混種，成為外貌醜陋的「化鼠」。書中結尾，「化鼠」領袖史奎拉不滿人類對同胞的所做所為，發動戰爭意圖消滅人類，最後功敗垂成。審判前，主角早季和覺質問史奎拉反叛人類的原因，史奎拉據實相告，卻被反駁「不是允許你們完全自治嗎」，彷彿人類允許化鼠存在，已經是天大的恩惠。

歷史上，人類無數次藉著冠冕堂皇的理由，屠戮、奴役不同種族。為甚麼人類能若無其事地屠殺自己的同類？最大的原因是因為當事人根本沒把這些受害者當成人類。二次世界大戰中，希特勒將猶太人、斯拉夫人等少數民族貶低為野蠻人、犯罪份子，剝奪他們的財產、人權，甚至生存權利。而受到此等言論洗腦的納粹軍官，也將這些受害者當成野獸，毫不留情地壓榨屠戮。一般來說，在上位者根本不認為這些人應該存活，甚至給予一些基本權利時，還會擺出一副施恩的態度。中共政權就是最典型的例子。其政權歷來從政治、文化，甚至經濟上，打壓所有邊陲地區，對外還要宣稱自己的大仁大德，為這些地區帶來多少「恩惠」。但這種假仁假義的暴政，總有一天會引起下位者的反彈，自食其果。

二、人物

書中，所有青少年都被催眠術掌控思想，除了主角早季所在的第一組。該組是為了培養未來領袖，因此是唯一可以不受催眠術掌控的組別。組員中，瞬是全人班的明日之星，不管是「咒力」表現還是學科成績的名列前茅，又富有聰明才智及領導能力。真理亞則是班上的女神，外貌亮麗，心思細膩，獨立自主。守則個性懦弱，在學校表現亦無可取之處，但對真理亞一片癡心。相較起來，早季和覺似乎沒甚麼太大的特點。覺在書中被形容為機敏、冷靜，但他卻常常暴走，還很容易被煽動。而早季被形容為個性堅強，能很快地接受所有醜惡的事實，說難聽點就是沒心沒肺。然而，到最後存活下來的，只有早季和覺，這兩個人後來亦進入町的管理層，成為町的領袖。但說實話，早季和覺到了故事結尾才感覺有些許成長，能否成為傑出的未來領袖，令人懷疑。

與此相比，化鼠的表現簡直好太多。書中兩名主要的化鼠領袖－－史奎拉和奇狼丸，分別代表化鼠革新派和守舊派。史奎拉個性陰險、富有謀略，是傑出的政治家及軍事家。雖然他為了達成目的，使用了不少骯髒的手段，但能將「鹽屋虻鼠窩」發展成能和當時最大鼠窩「虎頭蜂鼠窩」相庭抗禮的大集團，確有能耐。奇狼丸雖思想守舊，且有些過度自信，但善於帶兵，有勇有謀。而且在大戰中，對想臨陣退縮的早季和覺當頭棒喝，毫不猶豫地選擇犧牲自己換取勝利，也顯示出他的氣魄。

在作者眼中，人類是偽善、自私的生物，主角早季和覺多少也反映出這種想法。書中雖然極力描寫人類外貌的好看，反襯化鼠的醜陋，但人類的殘酷、冷血、自私、傲慢自大亦在書中表露無遺，與之相比，化鼠更像是有血有肉、有勇有謀的生物。早季和覺年少時，就能毫不留情地殺害��鼠。但真正需要他們犧牲時，又想臨陣退縮。反而奇狼丸在需要犧牲時，毫不猶豫地答應，和主角方形成強烈對比。正常來說，面對有血有肉的動物，但凡有點同情心都不會妄下殺手，更遑論有獨立思想的高智能生物。但人類每次殺害化鼠，都毫不留情，甚至不吝惜以殘酷的手段殺害折磨化鼠，證明化鼠被當成如蚊蟲一樣的低等生物，不僅不能和人類平起平坐，甚至生存得不到保障。但透過作者的描述，可見化鼠並不如人類想的低智且毫無廉恥，有時甚至能將人類比下去，從中凸顯人類的無知及自大。

本書雖在人物描寫上較《動物農莊》、《華氏451度》出色（主要因人物的描寫有樣板化的嫌疑），但在世界觀架構及突出故事主題方面表現非常出色。作者關於人類對待不同種族及世代的想法，亦同樣發人深省。

[Bunnyman13 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece 5/5. Everyone should read it atleast once before they die. Not only to enjoy, but to learn as well.


This was probably the most disturbing novel i have ever read. Why? Because of gore? There isnt that much of it here. Because of some adult scenes? They are extremely tame imo. Because of abuse? Torture? Nope. None of them disturbed me so much as a very fundamental thing in this novel's plot and world history. And the biggest reason behind it was that i could see clear examples of it in the real world as well. A lot of them actually.


Let me ask you a question, "Is the sin a people, of a nation, of a race cleared away after the generation that sinned dies out? What reparations do the people, race or nation deserve after the generation that was sinned dies out? Do they get back all of their previous rights? Do they get back all the assets that have been taken from them? And what sorts of punishment do those of the sinners descendants deserve? Should they be held accountable to give back all that their ancestors had stolen? Or do they live freely with no blame at all? "



This novel will make you question who is the villain and who is hero? Is the protagonist actually on the evil's side? Is the supposed villain of the novel truly evil? And how those who are truly evil live freely, with their head held high and spewing justice and rightousness while crushing those who were actually wronged.



Now the plot of this novel was good. The backstory and history of the world was so disturbing and thought provoking. The characters are pretty well written. It has many moments that might make you cry and can keep you thrilled as well.


Now, thats it for now. This is a novel that everyone must read. Not everyone might find some of its parts as disturbing as i found them. But its these disturbing parts that make it a masterpiece. A novel everyone should read and think about before they die.

Now here's a quote from the novel that perfectly says a lot about the philosophical dilemma in this novel.

"We are humans!"

[Leann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to give this 5 stars, but I'm docking one for the sexual content. It thankfully reads more like matter-of-fact acknowledgement that events occurred rather than erotica, but I would have preferred less detail. The in-story justification didn't make me comfortable with age of the characters in certain scenes. I choose to interpret it as one more example by this book of humanity's depravity. I did know I was in for some degree of physical intimacy from having watched the adaptation, but I hadn't realized the anime toned it down.

Other than that, this is a magnificent story. I watched the anime years ago and it's always stuck with me, so I was happy to see a fully translated version of the source material that allowed me to read all the details that the adaptation didn't have time to cover. The world is eerie yet beautiful, and the society, while secretly repulsive, deals with threats large enough for you to understand how they might have come to feel their actions are necessary. Knowing the major twists made it easier to spot the setup. I maintain my opinion that the author has an overly negative view of humanity, but a society erected by those who view humanity negatively isn't an unbelievable one.

I love these characters. It's enthralling to watch the children's attempts to make sense of the world around them, particularly in a society where it's taboo to question things and they feel unsafe around those who should be their guardians, and where most of their peers are trained to not think as freely as they do. I'm sorry to say that even knowing which of them were ill-fated, I was unable to harden my heart in anticipation. I'll need some time to recover from having experienced their tragedies anew.

[Collin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick disclaimer, I read a fan translation, but it was actually very well done.

This book is a masterpiece in science fiction. It is a little rough around the edges at times, but when this book hits its stride, it’s truly something spectacular.

First, I wanna talk about things Kishi does a little less than perfect. Kishi brings up a lot of scientific concepts, but he never gets them quite right. One would think this would be to the detriment of the story, but all of the concepts that he brings together support each other so perfectly within his fictional world that I didn’t really care how accurately they connect to reality. It is science fiction after all. The second thing in this book that I was not as big of a fan of was the scenes of intimacy between a few of the characters. Mostly the age at which they occur and the amount of detail that Kishi goes into. As an adult, I don’t want to hear about the romantic encounters of pre teens.

But the positives of this book far outshine the negatives. Where it really excels is crafting a cohesive and interesting world. The world of 新世界より is a carefully crafted and consistent world with its own environments, ecosystems, and political and cultural factions, all that influence one another. Kishi also conducts a spectacular exploration of the contradictory nature of human existence. People are one of the most complex and sophisticated things in the universe, while simultaneously being very much animals. This duplicity is a fertile ground for literary exploration, and Kishi is sure to capitalize on that opportunity.

If you are in the mood for a science fiction story you can really sink your teeth into, I highly recommend this book.

[Anggrek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of the TV anime series

From the New World / Shinsekai Yori



I thought this would be another romance-heavy anime, plot-lite storyline, filled with whingy tweens and over-exaggerated monsters. Boy was I wrong. The characters actually age, and as they mature, so do the themes.

If you go into this expecting something light and feel-good, something to transport you to another fantastical world, leave those expectations out the door. Yeah, it's a fantastical world, there are twists that you'll see coming--some that you don't, but it gets dark.
There are multiple character deaths, and the world is one filled with some form of socially-accepted slavery in the background, and hints of human experimentation. You have been warned.



On the bright side, you'll also see a culture where passionate love is explored regardless of gender, where friendships last even through the trials of time, (often space), and even death.

[Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really intriguing dystopian story that cleverly sucks you in with an innocent-seeming, childlike guise and then very much puts you and all the characters through the wringer, several times over. Not what I was expecting at all (in a good way!) and very entertaining, and gruelling in parts. I just wish that he wasn’t so heavy-handed with most of the foreshadowing and impending doom. There’s only so many times you can read “But little were we to know then that...” “but how could we have ever guessed that ....” “We never could have dreamed that soon...” “We were soon to have our hopes dashed...” and the like without stifling a sigh and curse to just get the hell on with it.

[Sérgio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be regarded as a classic of dystopian stories. At first glance, Yusuke Kishi created a dream world, but, as the story goes, we can see that everything is based on fear, control, lack of knowledge and a bloody past.
I was also impressed by the narrative. I could feel that I was Saki, struggling with the lost memories, the truth about her society and the pain to loose her friends/lovers one by one. Even though the book is long, I have felt that the story was always moving fast.
This is one of the best books that I have ever read!

[Peacefulbookery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concept-driven sci-fi with an intriguing world and emotional depth.

A peek into a futuristic society boasting an incredible level of detail. Reading about the world and how it addresses social/technological issues is fascinating. Exposition is gradual and meaningful, and driven by a sense of mystery.

Characters are well-developed, both intellectually and emotionally. I found them very endearing. It was very easy to learn more about their world - because I wanted to learn more about them.

[Luobin Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable world was built by Kishi in a intriguing perspective. The smart use of daily life activities embedded the hidden mechanisms of how everything would happen. At the same time, character building is done in a complicated but surprising approach. Overall a big epic book and a enjoyable one. Slow at start but it gets intense and mesmerizing really quick. I read this in Chinese.

[Monif Chowdhury · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very complicated story with so much narrow field of vision and storytelling. I wish this could have been a saga of 200+ chapters and didn’t waste its pages on the explicit romance scenes. Then it could've very well been one of my favourites. Saddens me to see so much potential wasted; but still managed to tell a complex story. Heard the anime is better.

[Bluwacky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb SFF novel that follows the life of a girl in a psychokinetic society in Japan a millennium from now from her childhood to her mid-twenties. Thoughtful and horrifying in its examination of human and inhuman cruelty, its humane and sympathetic (although hardly saintly) protagonist notwithstanding. Dystopian fiction at its best.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story sticks with you. A unique exploration of a “magical” society through the lens of a familiar coming-of-age story. The primary hook is the mysterious nature of the society, which the narrative carefully and progressively reveals.

I wholeheartedly recommend finding an English translation of this story, above watching the anime or reading the manga.

[Ada Jin · Rating 5 out of 5]

他说独木舟夜游铁则是上船前不要盯着营火
他说时间也许被折叠前世也许在未来
他说人与恶的区别不是咒力而是感知痛苦
他说善是熟稔所有恶之后依然选择的善

她忘掉一切之后仍记得的夜晚，小船驶过明镜倒映的银河， 消除的水波并没有被消除，而是以咒力将魂魄烙印在心灵深处

她回忆一切之后最珍视的夜晚，飞花与光影交叠或许也能形成风眼，如果密度就是速度，那么幸存就是穿越时空之后还能与你重逢

谢谢遇到这个故事