In today's video I'll be reviewing Earthlings by, Sayaka Murata. Earthlings Written Review: www.instagram.... Find me on Instagram for more bookish content and written book reviews! IG: / alana_estelle
Пікірлер: 35
@reinholddawon75892 ай бұрын
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).
@alanaestelle20762 ай бұрын
Thank you so much!! Oooh I hope the German translation does this better justice
@stacksnshelves2 ай бұрын
The face you are making in the thumbnail was exactly how I looked after finishing that book.
@alanaestelle20762 ай бұрын
LOL!
@aldovergara90352 ай бұрын
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.
@alanaestelle20762 ай бұрын
Thank you - I have it, it’s just so bad that it just takes the edge off lol. 🫠
@marksheneman65062 ай бұрын
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.
@alanaestelle20762 ай бұрын
I'm glad! I hope you enjoy this more than I did!
@Clubsandwichchav2 ай бұрын
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.
@alanaestelle20762 ай бұрын
Agreed! I found her husband interesting.
@oofym3538 күн бұрын
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.
@alanaestelle20766 күн бұрын
Whaaaaat!? It's definitely not an improvement over Convenience Store Woman. I refuse to read Babel because one thing I can't stand is a heavy-handed author. I have a brain, I don't need the author to tell me what to think and shove it down my throat LOL. Some authors need to learn how to trust the reader.
@oofym3536 күн бұрын
@alanaestelle2076 I completely agree, it's such a shame with Babel though. I genuinely think it's a pretty great book in every other area, but the heavy handed nature is a big minus. Unfortunately I think in the current reading landscape authors who shove their stuff down your throat are mostly rewarded, as a large majority of the consumer base these days aren't into complex/less obvious stories and themes Also not sure if you'll reply twice, but I'd love to know how you rank the Murakami books you've read. Maybe you could make a video on it?
@martasoltys90912 ай бұрын
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.
@FrankOdonnell-ej3hd2 ай бұрын
didn't like it either alana but loved convenience store woman⚛😀
@alanaestelle20762 ай бұрын
Convenience Store Woman is so good!
@jacobc3400Ай бұрын
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.
@alanaestelle2076Ай бұрын
Yea, overall it was clunky! but i liked the themes.
@theamethyst93Ай бұрын
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.
@alanaestelle2076Ай бұрын
This book is definitely crazy - it might be the craziest book I've read as well. And you make a good point, the second half really felt like a different story and it was jarring. Yes! There are points that are relatable, for sure! that's why I really liked Convenience Store Woman.
@novelideea2 ай бұрын
It was a DNF a few (coupe?) years ago. 'Nuf said.
@alanaestelle20762 ай бұрын
I don't blame you.
@leafsonata2 ай бұрын
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.
@alanaestelle20762 ай бұрын
That's a good idea to take bee pollen capsules.
@jamesduggan72002 ай бұрын
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.
@kurtfox49442 ай бұрын
I didn't watch the video. Is the "young woman resisting assimilation" Alana, or are you talking about the book? ;-)
@alanaestelle20762 ай бұрын
Yes 🤣
@cathyg.99962 ай бұрын
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.
@alanaestelle20762 ай бұрын
The pollen this year was SO BAD! Omg yes it infuriates me 🤣
@DevinLaVore2 ай бұрын
Pollen in your contacts!!!! Dude!!! You know...Nashville, I heard (wink wink) is really decent when it comes to not much pollen.......
@DevinLaVore2 ай бұрын
Then again: "Because Nashville has an abundance of trees it is a hotspot for pollen allergies throughout the spring. After the spring, allergy season continues throughout most of the rest of the year." Booooo....
@alanaestelle20762 ай бұрын
I do wanna visit Nashville 👀
@DevinLaVore2 ай бұрын
@@alanaestelle2076 lots to do, but it IS getting crowded here...
@Atom.Storm.2 ай бұрын
Came for the book review, after two minutes nothing had happened, so left.