Life Ceremony is a short story collection written in the vein of 'Earthlings' encompassing situations where characters display behaviors or personalities that may be considered taboo by society and are treated as outcasts. The stories are all different in their own way but share the same sentiment.

My picks from the collection would be 'A magnificent spread', 'Two’s family', 'Poochie', 'love on the breeze', 'Puzzle', and 'Eating the city'

Some of the stories that I felt had potential but didn't fully deliver were 'The time of a large star', 'A summer’s night kiss', 'Life ceremony' (I guess I had too much expectation from the titular story but felt let down), 'Body magic', 'A first-rate material' and 'Hatchling'

There were a few things I can't help but comment on.
When the protagonist of a story displays otherwise taboo behavior we are supposed to sympathize with them because the author tells us the world is wrong for not being more empathetic. On the other hand, when there is a story with a world where everyone displays a particular behavior that would be taboo in our present world and a non-protagonist goes against that grain they are seen as an outlier and vilified by the protagonist till they conform. eg. A first-rate material

I also felt it was a bit ableist when in 'Hatchling' Haruka displays a possible instance of dissociative identity disorder. This is something that shouldn't be seen as scary or freaky but is showcased by the author as if it's a taboo behavior as part of a horror anthology when it's not. The blurb for the book mentions that it's a 'cocktail of humor and horror' but frankly that makes it even more disrespectful. There are definitely ways to write characters with DID but the way it's written here just further goes to alienate them. I will give it a modicum of doubt as there may have been a loss of meaning in translation or the effect of cultural differences but that's stretching the truth.

I know firsthand how society forces us to conform to strict customs and untold rules or you're seen as a freak. So instead of normalizing people that are different I felt like some of the stories in this collection just further alienates people who may not follow the untold rules by making them out to be something that needs to be feared.

There's enough paranoia out there without people assuming others need to be vilified for being different and when I say outcasts and people who are different I'm not justifying abuse or criminal behavior or bullying of any kind just to be clear.

Despite that, I think that there were a few interesting ideas in this collection. Especially the idea that regular people with jobs and houses and lives can be hiding a part of themselves that could one day upend their entire lives. And all this is just because of tradition and the pressure of following societal norms. I also liked the thought that these strict norms are malleable with the right kind of actions and can be pretty much built on lies.

Murata's short story collection is both thought-provoking and perverse and explores, through different variations, society's way of normalizing things that have been previously considered taboo.

Convenience Store Woman was amazing.
Earthlings was strange.
This? The heck was this?
Murata can write, there's no doubt about that, and the translations only help her in that regard. The problem is if you spent two paragraphs going into minute detail about someone's vomit, you should maybe take a step back.
Most of the stories in this book were not great, or forgettable. One I was practically skipping through (the vomit one). Lovers on the Breeze was dreamy and possibly the best one in here. All in all, quite disappointed.

A fun, thought provoking, unconventional, well-written collection of short stories. I love how murata creates a setting which is different enough from our own world and society to make you think, but similar enough to make the stories believable and come to life. She forces you to think about what we consider normal and accepted and why. Her protagonists feel very real, even if they're just a baby blanket. My favourite stories were Poochie (so funny), Life Ceremony and Two's Family.

I've never read any of Murata's work before, I own earthlings but haven't yet got around to it. Let's just say I was slightly unprepared for the turn the stories took.

Life Ceremony is a collection of short stories. The majority are quite short with a few longer ones intwined. My personal favorites were:

A First Rate Material - A unique look into why we just bury bodies instead of using their parts for things useful to us, e.g an arm as a table leg, human skin for a veil. (First story)

Eating the City - An examination of why it's fine to eat wild flora in the countryside but in the city this is seen as disgusting. This was also an interesting look into an urbanized society. (Penultimate)

Hatchlings - A delve into the different personalities one puts on for different people and situations in our lives. Although this was an extreme version it definitely hit home because who really are we. This reminded me of a sociology concept about being on stage, and the true us is only the person we are when we are completely alone. (Final)

Although this collection was absolutely bizarre in places I really enjoyed it. Highly recommend getting it when it comes out.

Thanks to @netgalley @groveatlantic and @sayaka_murata_ for this E-Arc. Published 5th July 2022

CW: death and cannibalism

This is my second book by Murata. I read Convenience Store Woman a few months back. I am a big fan of Japanese contemporary lit, and I really like Murata's themes of unconventional lifestyles within homogenous Japan and sexuality, especially asexuality. These short stories teeter on the line between fiction and dystopian and contain her typical themes, sometimes in a shocking or grotesque manner.

Like with most collections, I liked some more than others. I really loved "A First Rate Material" and "Life Ceremony". They are very bizarre but I think bring up interesting points. I had to put the book down and read something else after reading the former because it is heavy and a bit grotesque.

Thank you to netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

This collection was odd as hell, but can only achieve that when bits and pieces reflect lived experiences and late night thoughts.

“We were spending our very short time as living beings sharing our body heat. Feeling this life was a precious momentary illusion, I squeezed his slim fingers even tighter.”

Thanks to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley!

Ps saw this tweet and went 👀👀 https://twitter.com/bxxwie/status/1481518268141559812?s=21

In twelve short stories, Sayaka Murata explores a dystopia where taboo is now the norm, and those who question it are seen as the oddballs. While there is some graphic content in some stories, it isn't violent or degrading. I think Murata makes the keen observation that social conventions are arbitrary and always in flux. So who are we to judge what is "normal'? These stories are unique and memorable - for better or worse.

The stories included in Sayaka Murata's short story collection are as absurd as they are thought-provoking. While reading, I'd blow off the idea of putting deceased human bodies to greater use (there are two stories addressing this, one as products - sweaters made of hair, furniture made of bones - and the other as food and inspiration for procreation) but then, hours later, I'd find myself wondering whether it is actually in our future, whether that would be wise and how it might be possible.

Overall, I found the stories quite readable. Having read and enjoyed Earthlings and Convenience Store Woman in the past, the themes and style of her shorter works are much the same and make for an easy transition, but I think I like her longer length stories slightly more.

I've read everything translated by Sayaka Murata, convenience store woman was incredible and earthling was weird and exciting (that ending). Life ceremony continues the trend of weirdness but in the best way, The title story is probably my favourite. There is a lot of death and cannibalism in this collection but used as a metaphor for love and connections. Not every story engaged me but the ones that did will stay with me.

i have always heard sayaka murata being described as a very nonconformist in her writing and that definitely shows in this short story collection. my individual ratings of each story averaged at 3.7!

this really is a stand-out collection due to all the weird and fascinating concepts sayaka murata is able to dream up. her creativity definitely reflects well in short story collections since it allows her to differentiate ideas and really flex her ability to craft multiple imaginative stories. i was really impressed with the consistency of good concepts so even if the execution wasn't always great the ideas were always strong.

in general, the execution of her story ideas was great: she was able to convince the reader that 'this is totally normal' while secretly working in strangeness until you are met with the realisation that this story was not how you pictured it. i think this is best seen in the story, Poochie. however, i found some stories to feel a little pointless because they were just too short to really explore anything. i felt this in, The Time of a Large Star and Two Families.

my favourite stories were: Hatchlings, Body Magic, Life Ceremony and First-Rate Material.

This book full of short stories and there was some that I enjoyed better than others. I enjoyed a summer night kiss, life ceremony, two family and pooches.
Thank you netgalley for letting me read this book.

Great book of short stories for those that enjoyed Murata’s previous novels. One sees life through a different lens

Thank you to NetGallery and Grove Atlantic for the advance copy of this book. I was eager to read this as I loved Sayaka Murata's previous book 'Convience store woman'.

The book is a collection of quirky short stories about taboos, conformity, society, relationships and food. Most of the stories were set in the future or in an 'alternate reality'. As with all short story collections there are some stronger than others.

As expected the stories were weird and wonderful with each having their own merit. I particularly enjoyed the absurdity of the story that is 'poochie'. It brought great comic relief between some other unsettling stories.

The themes presented were interesting and at times a little disturbing as stated above (there were many times I was disgusted by some stories especially 'life ceremony'). Despite the shock value of some stories, I was still intrigued to carry on. It is clear to see that Murtata has a talent for exploring ideas outside the norm and is an expert in challenging societal behaviours.

I would definitely recommend this to fans of Murata but would advise there is a lot of graphic detail of cannibalism. In addition, I would recommend you should read one story a day, to savour each one

Stories on society, and how little tweaks and changes mean all the difference to conformity and what's conceived as normal
Instinct doesn't exist. Morals don't exist. They were just fake sensibilities that came from a world that was constantly transforming

This bundle of short stories is closer to Earthlings than to Convenience Store Woman. Sayaka Murata explores society and conformity in creative ways. In general I found the characterisation of the persons starring in the story a bit light, but the ideas are definitely very interesting, and often disturbing. Below I give a brief summary of the constituent parts of Life Ceremony: Stories:

A first-rate material
Human hair sweater and other human material objects are status and fashion symbols in this story. An argument is that it is much more natural to wear for us than produce of other animals is used. The dynamic is fascinating and the conclusion less clear cut (or gruesome) then one might expect, this is no Tender Is the Flesh.

A magnificent spread
Happy Future Foods, resembling space food, clashes with fantasy food and countryside traditions. Not a very strong story in my view, rather didactic on how we are relatively all strange to each others in terms of customs.

A summer’s night kiss
The experience of a 75 year old mother of two, who is still a virgin and conceived via artificial insemination. This one is three pages and despite its short length also deals with societal alienation and food.

Two’s family
An unconventional family of two women, not lovers but sworn to each other to live together when still single at 30. One is dealing with cancer, leading the other to consider her life, children and what a family is. Unusually tender and almost without any subversion of "normal" society.

The time of a large star
Very brief, about a girl moving to a country with no sleep and people living at night. Like a sketch of story that should have been developed further.

Poochie
A hilarious story of two school girls feeding an unusual pet ((view spoiler)).

Life ceremony
This titular story again takes the concept of using dead human material, but now in cannibalism instead of for fancy furniture. With some added insemination, so that death births life.
The clunky worldbuilding feels a bit similar to The Last Children of Tokyo.
Still this one had the most quotes I wrote down:
What about the real world? Where the hell is that, then?
It’s the mirage that’s real. All our little lies are gathered together and become a reality that you can only see now.

I mean, normal is a type of madness, isn’t it? I think it’s just that the only madness society allows is called normal.

Body magic
The premise of this story is quite similar to Earthlings, with cousins only meeting each other once a year during Obon and having sex. High school girls trying to remain true to themselves under all of the talk of schoolmates about sex. The resolution was a bit lacking.

Lover on the breeze
A story told from the perspective of the curtains of a girl, who develops a romance for a boy.

Puzzle
An unusual woman who feels she is a concrete building is desperately searching for real human fluids.
She sees offices as encasing organs e.g. her coworkers, leading to quite a bizarre vista of the world.
Quite interestingly done, you wouldn't imagine you'd want to read it, but the author effectively sucks you into this story.

Eating the city
A Tokyo office worker returns her thoughts to the mountains she used to see her grandmother in. Due to homesickness she starts foraging the city for fresh plants and initiates a campaign to make her coworker enthusiastic as well. Fun to read since I once did a tour like this in my hometown and it’s amazing what grows around you in the urban environment. There are some overtures of just eating dandelions familiar to readers of Earthlings, and wanting to be more close to trees and the soil that are slightly disturbing.

Hatchling
His hand was giving shape to my outline as he stroked me.
A girl has five persona’s to respond to the various communities she is part of. Despite some people seeing her as two-faced, in general she is well liked by all due to her adaptability, and this raises the question of who is the real I.
This becomes quite a conundrum when her marriage and the unification of all her social circles is coming near.

🍱 BOOK REVIEW 🍱

Synopsis: In these strange and wonderful stories of family and friendship, sex and intimacy, belonging and individuality, Murata asks above all what it means to be a human in our world and offers answers that surprise and linger.

Review: After reading Convenience Store Woman, I saw this ARC available and absolutely had to request it. So obviously I was delighted when my request was approved. This collection of short stories was absolutely phenomenal. Thought-provoking, very futuristic but also very present-day. There were one or two stories that were a bit sluggish to get through, as Murata’s prose was so intellectual, I sometimes struggled to comprehend the magnitude of what she was describing. But for the most part, the stories had me unable to put the book down, and actually had me thinking about the future of humanity, differences between cultures, and the judgement and stigma that people from other cultures experience by people who are ignorant. Overall, highly recommend!

Thank you to the publisher and @netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my review!

4.75/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

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This short story collection is a beautiful way to enter Murata's universe. I love how she explores social conventions and challenges our reality with unique characters and plots.

I really appreciated how she explored female friendship and relationships beyond the norm. It is also quite interesting how she often introduces characters that would be shocked by this reality that she builds, half magical half dystopian.

The story that gave the title is one of the most powerful ones in the collection. It repulses you and it also convinces you that it makes sense. Simply perfect.

Sayaka Murata has definitely become one of my favourite authors in the last few years and you can see how she has built her craft over the years.

A short story collection in the line of Earthlings and Convenience Store Woman - weird, provocative and socially relevant. Not for the faint hearted!

What is the name of craziness is this?! Insert * #horror *😱. I lost it. If it's acceptable to just write, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA * throws my kindle * as a review, I would 🙂My brain demanded a wash through. The stories just tells me to throws away my sanity and say hello to exoticness and absurdity 💀

#LifeCeremony got me sick in my stomach. It's so sick it makes me question myself, why do I even read it???😲 I don't think I can digest any Sayaka Murata from now on. It's even worse than Earthling. Oh, far worse 🤮.

This is a combination of stories that one should read with a cautious mind. I wish I can put in a better word so you'll know what you're about to read. The stories, at times, are too graphic, too 🔞, too insanely extreme, and it's involving EATING FLESHHHH 👱‍♀️👨💀. It's just so horrifying to see all those things were clarified in detail. I wish I can knock some sense in those peoples heads but that's like talking to a rock. It is such a nightmarish read.

I found it hard to give a rating, as the feeling of uncomfortable dominates me much more rather than a liking. Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for approving my request ❤

This is the 3rd book that I have read by Sayaka Murata. Convenience store woman was absolute brilliance.
This is a collection of 12 short stories. Forget everything you know about normalcy & be ready to challenge your definition of what's normal and what is not. Murata's book always has an underlying theme where she challenges society and norms - something that has drawn me towards the books. Few trigger warnings but if you are not new to Murata you wouldn't need those. The short story Life ceremony is the crown jewel. I am amazed how she portrays friendship & a sense of belongingness that feels so relatable even though the world portrayed in the story would probably not seem normal to you.
My tip; Even though i read this book at one go - You should probably savor the stories and take your time.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC- I enjoyed it and I am so happy I could read this book early on!
Weird or not Sayaka Murata is on my auto-purchase author list.