This is by far the best review of the novel, because it clarifies what it is about, what its quality is on the one hand and the problem on the other. You explain convincingly why you didn't like it and give enough information that a reader might decide it is interesting for him/her nevertheless. It is not translated yet into German, my native language, but three books by her have been translated by Ursula Gräfe, a very acclaimed translater (she does Murakami as well).

The face you are making in the thumbnail was exactly how I looked after finishing that book.

Miss Alana, there's an over the counter product named Claratin that I recommend highly. I suffer from hay fever that kicks in from late August to the first frost here in Chicago Illinois, and this product does the job. I hope you feel better.

Your review sparked my interest. Life doesn't have inherent value it has to be made. As someone who has prospered on the margins outside the expectations of others, it sounds like the character understands that. I may have to read it to see if I'm correct. Well expressed, Alana. Thank you.

I loved the first 2/3 of the book. The ending felt somewhat forced and unfocused. The pacing felt of to me as well. But I was realy intreuged by the characters and the themes. I also wished that we got more of Nasuki her husband.

Glad someone else liked Convenience store woman but not Earthlings. Every worker at my local book store has recommended me earthlings, saying it's an improvement over CSW, but I just don't agree. I do agree with pretty much all your points in this video though , literally the first thing I said to my girlfriend after finishing it was "I liked the themes but they're really on the nose, like it beats you over the head with them". Don't know if you've read Babel but I had a similar reaction to that, really liked the themes but disliked how obvious they were and how non nuanced it was.

If you have very bad allergies, I know you're a foodie, but try to stay away from dairy and see if there's a difference. On a spiritual level (IDK if you care) allergies are a lack of feeling safe on some level. There's a great book about a woman who had a shock of her life when her husband decided to divorce her at 40 to get himself a younger version. The book is called You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay. While I'm not a self-help reader at all, this is one of two books I did read and liked. Just her life alone is inspiring. And your comment on anxiety... PRICELESS. I told someone I've been extra anxious and they said, "Well, maybe you should just calm down." Gees thanks. Thanks for your useless advice; that never crossed my mind.

didn't like it either alana but loved convenience store woman⚛😀

As an examination of the ideas presented I found Earthlings heavy handed. As you mentioned it doesn't just present it's ideas it beats you over the head with them. Really interesting ideas particularly the "baby making" part as Japan has a declining population and is pressuring young people into procreation in a even more intense way unique to the country. Additionally the idea of hikikomori. But, you get slapped with them so many times with little being added it can be exhausting. As a spooky story. I thought it was "fun" in that over the top horror type of way. A short page turner that can be easily picked up and read in a day or two. Overall its a 3/5 for me. Unremarkable but not bad. A horror that was enjoyable and had interesting points. But failed to deliver them in a meaningful way. I think you are right regarding the translation too. At first I thought it was a stylistic choice as the mind we are in doesn't function quite right and is a child for much of it. But that doesnt change when we catch up with her in the future.

Girl I stayed up all night reading this and I really don’t know if I liked it or not. This was the craziest book I’ve ever read in my entire life. Like at first during the first half of the book I thought I pretty much knew what this story was going to be but then the last half was so drastically different it was like reading a completely different book and my head was spinning. I will say that there are certain elements of this book that really touched me and that I also could relate to. As a child free woman in her 30s I definitely understand the main characters annoyance at everybody’s preoccupation with having children and that feeling of awkwardness and like you don’t fit in. I have also dealt with being extremely hard on myself and self critical like the woman in the story.

It was a DNF a few (coupe?) years ago. 'Nuf said.

I used to get 4+ sinus infections a year. I began to take bee pollen capsules daily (like immunization) and I havent had any issues (only a mild nose drip the pollent count is very high) since I started the supplement. Hope that helps.

Hmm - on the one hand you offer discouragement to a potential reader while on the other hand offering many teasers..... So, I don't know if you're describing an unreliable narrator describing herself as a space-alien, or it if is perhaps a long redemptive arc of a young woman resisting assimilation into a culture which seems alien to her.

I feel for you having allergies 🤧. I dont have allergies but the pollen this year is insane. My car is always covered in it and we can see our footprints on the driveway from the pollen. Don’t you just love those people who never had anxiety but have the quick fix to never have it again. 🙄 I don’t think I would like this book either.

Pollen in your contacts!!!! Dude!!! You know...Nashville, I heard (wink wink) is really decent when it comes to not much pollen.......

Came for the book review, after two minutes nothing had happened, so left.