Earthlings: A Novel

"I was late to appreciate Sayaka Murata, whose breakthrough novel Convenience Store Woman was recommended by Linda Flores in our interview on the best of modern Japanese literature (“darkly humorous”). But I’m here now, and just in time for the publication of this firecracker of a follow-up, Earthlings . Earthlings explores many similar themes to that earlier book (fake relationships, emotional weirdness, societal pressure to be ‘normal’), but takes it to the next level. In it, two young cousins on the brink of puberty create an imaginary world for the two of them to share. When Natsuki and Yuu’s blossoming romance causes consternation among relatives, they are torn apart; Natsuki never truly recovers. As I wrote in my fall round-up, “if you appreciate trigger warnings, this book requires them all – child abuse, violence, incest, and plenty more. But somehow the story skates along the top of all this darkness, and shimmers with a deadpan wit. I loved it.” Of course, I read far more than five brilliant books this year. So let me add a few honourable mentions: I zipped through Naoise Dolan’s sharp and funny novel about a bisexual love triangle, Exciting Times ; I admired the formal invention and emotional acuity of Carmen Maria Machado’s In the Dream House , a memoir of abuse at the hands of her partner (which I am counting as a 2020 book on a technicality – it was released in the UK, in January); and Paul Mendez’s raw and ennervating coming of age story Rainbow Milk . And one more, which I can’t bear to leave out: Marieke Lucas Rijneveld’s The Discomfort of Evening was first published (in the original Dutch) in 2018, but made it into English translation in spring and won the 2020 International Booker Prize. When I discussed it with the chair of the judges, Ted Hodgkinson , he said: “I get tingles when I even think about this book.” I have to agree. It’s truly electrifying, and not for the faint hearted. What have I missed? I’d love to hear the books that made your 2020 top five. Let us know by messaging us on Facebook , Twitter or Instagram . Part of our best books of 2020 series."

"Another personal highlight is the Japanese writer Sayaka Murata’s new book Earthlings . I loved her charming and weird Convenience Store Woman , the first of Murata’s novels to be translated into English, and this latest work (which I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of) is, to an extent, more of the same. It explores many of the same themes – emotional weirdness, societal pressure to live a ‘normal’ life, phoney marriages, cold fish protagonists – but while Convenience Store Woman rolled gently along, Earthlings is a firecracker of a book. If you appreciate trigger warnings, this book requires them all – child abuse, violence, incest, and plenty more. But somehow the story skates along the top of all this darkness, and shimmers with a deadpan wit. I loved it. Any list like this can barely hope to scratch the surface, but I trust this brief list of fall 2020 novels gives you somewhere to start from. As ever, we’re desperate to hear what books you are most enjoying and most looking forward to – so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via Twitter , Facebook , Instagram or by email."