Robin’s review of Earthlings > Likes and Comments

Robin, you're in for a treat if this one is as good as Convenience Store Woman. Can't way to know what you think of it. :D

Pedro wrote: "Robin, you're in for a treat if this one is as good as Convenience Store Woman. Can't way to know what you think of it. :D"

Hey Pedro. I'd never read Murata before, so now I need to get a hold of Convenience Store Woman. What a unique writer!

Oh, what a review, Robin!!! You’re going to love Convenience Store Woman as well. And now I have a feeling I’m going to love this one. Murata’s writing is very simple and straightforward as you mentioned but once you have turned the last page you realise that things weren’t that simple and straightforward after all. So much to unpack and think about. Really clever stuff. ;)

Pedro wrote: "Oh, what a review, Robin!!! You’re going to love Convenience Store Woman as well. And now I have a feeling I’m going to love this one. Murata’s writing is very simple and straightforward as you mentioned but once you have turned the last page you realise that things weren’t that simple and straightforward after all. So much to unpack and think about. Really clever stuff. ;)"

You're too kind, Pedro! Thank you! I want you to read this. Then I can finally talk about it with someone!!

I've really loved the Japanese writers I've discovered over the past year or so. I'm about to get into another one next, Ryu Murakami's Piercing. Stay tuned. Oh, and yes, I need to read Convenience Store Woman.

Now, now, that's not fair, making me add yet another book to my TBR. I'm intrigued.

I'm pretty sure if I saw this one at the bookstore I'd walk right past it, Robin :D Your review, however, is as enticing as always! So, I recently added Convenience Store Woman to my list and I've noticed over the past week or so that my list of Japanese authors in general has been growing on my TBR.

I could use some freaky-deaky.

Bianca wrote: "Now, now, that's not fair, making me add yet another book to my TBR. I'm intrigued."

Sorry-not-sorry. :D

Candi wrote: "I'm pretty sure if I saw this one at the bookstore I'd walk right past it, Robin :D Your review, however, is as enticing as always! So, I recently added Convenience Store Woman to my list and I've noticed over the past week or so that my list of Japanese authors in general has been growing on my TBR."

You know, I might have walked right by it too. It was recommended to me by a friend here who never steers me wrong. She was loving it and so I requested for an ARC on Netgalley and *voila*!

I have been SO enjoying the Japanese authors I've read over the last while. They write with a ruthlessness that I enjoy greatly.

I long held suspicions that you were an alien, Robin, but I thought it was merely that you were Canadian. Now I know that the Men In Black have spoken to me about you and erased my memory. I hope your galactic papers are in order. I have no idea what this book is about but am disappointed we didn't get to hear you sound insane.

I'm laughing now at both Tony's comment and Joe's comment and I was already giggling a little, after reading your review.
Okay, so first things first: my middle child actually has that little creature that's on the cover of this book, so that's weird. . .
Second. . . did you request this book? There isn't anything about it that makes me think of your reading tastes, but Pedro's comment above reminded me of the other book this author wrote.
Third, I had to laugh at this from your review: You almost think, hey, this is about 11 year old kids. I'm not that interested. It's so true. If I'm reading middle grades fiction to the girls, I can be totally in to the story (if it's well-written. . . duh), but if it's an adult novel and a kid shows up, I'm like. . lose the kid, or I'm bailing on this story.
Okay, this is so unexpected.

Okay, I just read your comment to Candi. That answers one of my questions. I'm still sitting here, laughing. It's late.

I really enjoyed Convenience Store Woman and your review has made this one jump onto my TBR. Loved your humorous review.

Robin...thanks for the heads up in your excellent review. Glad you enjoyed it...It's on my shelf...starting it soon!📚

Tony wrote: "I could use some freaky-deaky."

Ha. Couldn't we all!

Joe wrote: "I long held suspicions that you were an alien, Robin, but I thought it was merely that you were Canadian. Now I know that the Men In Black have spoken to me about you and erased my memory. I hope your galactic papers are in order. I have no idea what this book is about but am disappointed we didn't get to hear you sound insane."

Oh, I'm so sorry to disappoint you, Joe! But I've got this reputation to maintain... that of a person in control of her faculties. And I can't let that slip, not even for you. (I can assure you my papers are all in order, they're in the cabinet on the mothership....)

Your review sold me! Author & publisher should pay you a commission. :D

Julie wrote: ". . . did you request this book? There isn't anything about it that makes me think of your reading tastes, but Pedro's comment above reminded me of the other book this author wrote.
Third, I had to laugh at this from your review: You almost think, hey, this is about 11 year old kids. I'm not that interested. It's so true. If I'm reading middle grades fiction to the girls, I can be totally in to the story (if it's well-written. . . duh), but if it's an adult novel and a kid shows up, I'm like. . lose the kid, or I'm bailing on this story.
Okay, this is so unexpected."

Ha. I know what you mean, and why you thought it was funny - the cover, the title, it doesn't look like something I'd pick up, does it? BUT I have to say, I am so into Japanese lit these days. This past year I discovered Yoko Ogawa and gobbled up 3 of her books. When I saw a bunch of friends had read the other Murata book, I knew I had to read this one. And now I'm reading something equally crazy by Ryu Murakami.

There's something so different about the Japanese culture, and the writers I've read recently have this savage, uncensored directness that I just love. (For the most part. For example, Out by Natsuo Kirino really didn't work for me.)

Antoinette wrote: "I really enjoyed Convenience Store Woman and your review has made this one jump onto my TBR. Loved your humorous review."

Hi Antoinette. Thank you!! I haven't read Convenience Store Woman yet (want to) so I have no idea how it compares to this one. This book goes to extremes.

I wouldn’t say Convenience Store Woman goes to extremes. I would call it a quieter, thoughtful book, so this one certainly sounds quite different. I really enjoyed CSW, so I hope you do get to read it.

Fran wrote: "Robin...thanks for the heads up in your excellent review. Glad you enjoyed it...It's on my shelf...starting it soon!📚"

Hi Fran. Oh well, you've got something ahead of you. Looking forward to hearing what you think of it!

Marc wrote: "Your review sold me! Author & publisher should pay you a commission. :D"

Ha! Well that's a lovely compliment, Marc. Thanks :D
I was going to say "I hope you have fun with this" but there's something kind of weird about saying that. So, instead, I'll say I hope it works for you.

Antoinette wrote: "I wouldn’t say Convenience Store Woman goes to extremes. I would call it a quieter, thoughtful book, so this one certainly sounds quite different. I really enjoyed CSW, so I hope you do get to read it."

How interesting. It does sound different. Sort of like Ogawa's popular book, The Housekeeper and the Professor, which sounds very gentle and quiet (I haven't read it yet but so many of my friends loved it) contrasted with her much darker (and somewhat shocking to certain readers) work Hotel Iris. I love these authors can write in such a broad range!

Okay Robin. I'm trusting you and adding this book to my library hold requests. I'm going in blind but it sounds weird and I like weird.

Coni wrote: "Okay Robin. I'm trusting you and adding this book to my library hold requests. I'm going in blind but it sounds weird and I like weird."

Oh boy! Crossing my fingers and toes that you like it, Coni! It's definitely weird. I went in blind too... I thought a few times - oh, she's going there, is she?? That's the great thing about not knowing much about a book prior. It unfolds before your eyes.

Thanks to your review, I'm adding this to my list. Thanks!

Marc wrote: "Thanks to your review, I'm adding this to my list. Thanks!"

Oh, great, Marc! Happy to hear it. ENJOY.

I'll have to order it...I'm not sure it is out yet to the general public? I know it's nothing like The Convenience Store Woman!

JimZ wrote: "I'll have to order it...I'm not sure it is out yet to the general public? I know it's nothing like The Convenience Store Woman!"

Jim, I'm not sure if it's out yet - I was lucky to read a pre-published copy. Goodreads says that the publication date is Oct 1, though, so you may have to wait a bit.

I have got to read CSW! So many people have mentioned it lately. I feel like I'm missing out.

"Don't you ever feel like an alien? I sure as hell do."
Not quite, for me. But right now, if aliens rocked up, I'd ask the to take me back with them!

Cecily wrote: ""Don't you ever feel like an alien? I sure as hell do."
Not quite, for me. But right now, if aliens rocked up, I'd ask the to take me back with them!"

Haha, I hear you, Cecily!

Excellent review of a remarkable book, Robin!

Jennifer wrote: "Excellent review of a remarkable book, Robin!"

Thank you, my dear! Wasn't it cuckoo, in the best possible way??

The aliens must have engaged the tractor beam because I can't resist adding this to Mount TBR. I will resist looking at other reviews though so as t not spoil the freaky-deaky delight that awaits within. Those 5 stars are compelling, Robin.

Good move, Mike! It’s a wild ride. And, whether you decide if the aliens are literal or metaphorical, it holds up either way.

It was, Robin. I love how you describe your initial experience of this, and then how it grows. My husband wanted to read it after me, and at first I was all, “Uh-oh.” And then I was, “Oh, good, OK, good. Oh, wow. Wait. What?”

Very good review Robin and you make a very good point: There's no room in the factory for individuality. For those healing from scars or trauma. As an aside, I wish they would translate some of her earlier novels!!

Mike wrote: "The aliens must have engaged the tractor beam because I can't resist adding this to Mount TBR. I will resist looking at other reviews though so as t not spoil the freaky-deaky delight that awaits within. Those 5 stars are compelling, Robin."

Yes, stay away from the the reviews if you want the electric shock at the end, Mike. Looking forward to your reaction!

Jennifer wrote: "Good move, Mike! It’s a wild ride. And, whether you decide if the aliens are literal or metaphorical, it holds up either way."

I completely agree, Jennifer, re: the literal vs. metaphorical. I've had the chance to discuss this with a few great readers here, particularly the final "scene" which can also be seen as literal or metaphorical. I think both ways of looking at it are powerfully spot-on.

JimZ wrote: "Very good review Robin and you make a very good point: There's no room in the factory for individuality. For those healing from scars or trauma. As an aside, I wish they would translate some of her earlier novels!!"

Thanks, Jim! I see you didn't really care for this one, and I do understand why (it's so completely off the page, it can't possibly hit the mark for all readers). I feel like Earthlings was a lively, shot-up-with-steroids version of Convenience Store Woman.

I agree, more translation needs to be done for these amazing female Japanese writers. Yoko Ogawa too!

Robin wrote: "JimZ wrote: "Very good review Robin and you make a very good point: There's no room in the factory for individuality. For those healing from scars or trauma. As an aside, I wish they would translat..."

I have also read and liked Shuichi Yoshida (Parade, Villain)...he has a number of works in Japanese that I wish I could read.

JimZ wrote: "I have also read and liked Shuichi Yoshida (Parade, Villain)...he has a number of works in Japanese that I wish I could read."

I'll have a look at that author, thanks for mentioning him, Jim.

Fantastic review of a very strange and difficult book to review! Of course I expected no less from you. It's hard to write about this and NOT sound insane, so kudos to you for pulling it off. 😂

Thanks for putting this on my radar, Robin. I wasn't quite as smitten as you, but still enjoyed it. Love your description of this being "the most freaky-deaky ride in the whole amusement park." The kind of ride that leaves you dizzy and nauseous, yet still wanting to ride it again!

James wrote: "Fantastic review of a very strange and difficult book to review! Of course I expected no less from you. It's hard to write about this and NOT sound insane, so kudos to you for pulling it off. 😂

Thanks for putting this on my radar, Robin. I wasn't quite as smitten as you, but still enjoyed it. Love your description of this being "the most freaky-deaky ride in the whole amusement park." The kind of ride that leaves you dizzy and nauseous, yet still wanting to ride it again!"

Hi James. Well, thank you very much for the compliment! I'm happy that I was able to avoid sounding insane. :D

Sorry to hear this didn't quite do the trick for you. But I can't say anyone's reaction to this is strange and/or surprising. I understand all reactions, all along the spectrum, all valid. This book is so far off the page, it risks alienating any number of wonderful readers. I'm glad that you were able to enjoy it to a degree, though.

My thoughts exactly. Great review.

Julie wrote: "My thoughts exactly. Great review."

Thanks, Julie!

Agreed 100%. Loved it.

Acorn wrote: "Agreed 100%. Loved it."

Happy to hear that, Acorn!

The interesting thing is that there's nothing in the book that isn't at least partially normalised, or rationalised and ignored in the life of The Factory. Nice review. The author is autistic by the way.

Phil wrote: "The interesting thing is that there's nothing in the book that isn't at least partially normalised, or rationalised and ignored in the life of The Factory. Nice review. The author is autistic by the way."

Thanks, Phil. I don't know a lot about Murata outside of her novels, and having read a few interviews. I hadn't heard that she is autistic, how did you learn this?