Quirky books featuring characters that don't fit in, who are on the outside looking in on "normal" human behavior, can be among the most entertaining and profound books. In the former category is Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata. I wrote about it two years ago.
As the story deepened, Convenience Store Woman went from a whimsical tale of a young woman who finally finds a place to fit in, to a commentary on why people feel such a need, and what it means about being a complete human. The book retained its charm because of the light tone it retained despite the reveal of a deeper meaning behind it.
So when another Murata book was translated into English, I wanted to read it as well. Earthlings has some similar ideas, but it is not the same book. And definitely may not be for many readers.
In Earthlings, Natsuki knows she does not fit in. The nine-year-old especially does not fit in with her family. They all complain about her, punish her and ridicule her, including her younger sister. Natsuki believes she may be a wizard. Her plush hedgehog toy tells her so.
The only other creature who seems to understand her is her cousin. She sees Yuu each summer when the entire clan gathers at their grandparents' remote mountain house. Yuu believes he is an alien who may or may not have a spaceship full of his fellow aliens looking for him. The 9-year-old cousins promise to survive, whatever it takes, and pledge their troth.
Before the next summer, Natsuki is stalked by a teacher. No one believes her, and her family punishes her. Because she thinks her eventual rape by the teacher is inevitable, she talks her cousin into having sex. They are caught, the extended family is outraged, and they are separated. Their idyllic summer days are over.
The story only gets darker from there. All the characters carry on with miserable lives. Years later, Natsuki and a stranger who doesn't like people agree to a marriage of convenience, so they can pretend they are normal.
Then Natsuki and Yuu are reunited when her husband insists on seeing the magical mountain home where her childhood was lovely.
The pact the three form is about as absurdist as it gets, but by the logic within the world of the story, it fits. That doesn't mean the story is enjoyable. But it does serve to make the author's point. In the worldview of Murata's characters, civilization is only a baby-making factory in which everyone is expected to play their role. Those who don't want to play their role may not be able to escape it. The three in this novel believe their only resource is to do everything they can to slough off every trapping of civilized society.
The ending is grotesque as Murata has written her characters into a corner. It is entirely possible she meant for them to be in that corner.
Earthlings is one of those novels where the underlying ideas are more important than the plot. What choices do people have when they know they don't fit in? Can they disguise themselves enough to be left alone and get by? Is that enough to be content with? Should any of us be content with that? And what about the realization that even being able to wonder and worry about these ideas is a measure of privilege not afforded many in this world.