I really enjoy Sayaka Murata and have read all her books that have been translated. This one fit her style and has that reflective weirdness I enjoy. It’s not my favorite. The first 70% was a little repetitive and felt like it could have been shorter. The last bit picked up and it was a little more interesting. Will not consider this my favorite by her but glad to have received it early.

I have previously really enjoyed Sayaka Murata's strange, speculative fiction, but this one unfortunately was not for me. I'm not one to normally mind a slow plot if there is a deep exploration of characters, but this one dragged for the first 70% in my opinion. I felt it was very repetitive, and nothing really happened until that 70% mark. And in classic Murata style, the ending had that shock factor, but for me it was just uncomfortable without any other value which I've found in her other books.

DNF - your mileage my vary.

I've read the author in the past and enjoyed her. As expected, the book is utterly different than just about anything else out there.

But it was more concept than plot and I need a plot.

Tried twice, but gave up.

As no surprise to those familiar with Murata, VANISHING WORLD is a strange strange world and the premise is very kooky.

This is a future world in Japan where humans no longer have sex but instead reproduce by artificial insemination. Sexes look down upon And if a couple were to copulate this is seen as incest.

In the early days of our main characters sexual exploration she's mostly attracted and pursues her own sexual awakening with parasocial/fictional characters from shows or movies. And bizarre twist of fate she does find out that she was actually produced the old-fashioned way quote on quote by her mom and dad having sex and a lot of people are greatly disturbed by this fact.

There's definitely some social commentary on the decline of not just human reproduction but on the state of relationships. Relationships between a man and a woman are more for friendly terms, there's no real incentive to match up with a significant other if not for love. And as we find out a lot of her friends and those around her have lovers but none of them are having or very few of them are having sex. It's a strange concept to presume in this book, that no one is enjoying sex enough or as much as our main character to break this social idea. People are masturbating but the idea of sex is seen as old world, old fashioned, antiquated.

We see our main character trying to pursue love in multiple ways, through fictional romances she's fantasized about, by pursuing physical relationships with those who similarly idolize her current infatuations, people who are kind to her. But the world at large seems disgusted by sex and it seems she has cursed to want it.

Commentary on human reproduction is also extremely interesting but it gets progressively weirder and weirder.
And as you can imagine Murata wont end the book without a bang....

Sayaka Murata rocks unconventionality. She’s a hoot! Bonkers!
She’s a legitimate brilliant sparkly-badass-Japanese writer who pokes holes into society-norms!
She makes me laugh. I loved the heck out of her!

In Dec 2019, Sayaka Murata wrote an opinion-article in The New York Times titled:
“The Future of Sex Lives in All of Us”.
She often imagined a future where sex didn’t exist.
She wrote:
“Many people seem to think this is weird, but for me it’s a world that feels wonderfully nostalgic”.

“In a hundred years, or a thousand years, people may not even be coupling. Or maybe the word “sex” will disappear and we will once again explore ourselves in a realm unburdened by language. People are strange creatures, and we have no idea how we will change in the future; to me that is beautiful. But I also believe we will keep rediscovering that strange miracle inside us, beyond the other world inside our bodies, which spreads without limits within our skin”
—Suyaka Murata

In Sayaka Murata's "Vanishing World," sex is depicted as largely obsolete, with the focus on procreation through artificial insemination, essentially rendering sexual intimacy between couples as taboo and unnecessary in this dystopian future society; couples are more like siblings living together solely to produce children, highlighting the author's exploration of societal norms around sex and family structures through a very unconventional lens. 

In “Vanishing World”, sex between married couples has vanished and all children are born by artificial insemination.
We first meet Amane as a young girl….then follow her through adulthood.
She was born through copulation. Her parents had intercourse (“incest”), in a society that no longer endorses sex between married couples. IVF is the acceptable social norm.
Amane questions ‘the rules’ ….about sex, desires, love, relationships, masturbation, gender roles, and the purpose of family.

It’s a very fun, thought-provoking story….highly vividly imagined….intimate dialogue….haunting, gripping, and beautifully written. I was left to reflect on issues in ways I had never thought about. The book also created enjoyable conversations between my husband and I.
I wont dare giveaway spoilers ….
…..But here are a few excerpts …..(little tidbit teasers):
“The more books I read, and the more I learned about the proper way to procreate, the more doubts I had. Why had my mother gone to all the trouble of deliberately removing the contraceptive device and copulating in order to get pregnant instead of just being artificially inseminated with my father‘s sperm? Just thinking about it made me feel nauseous”.

“Sexual love in a story was solely a conversation with my flesh. The pain I felt in my body and my hunger to meet them, troubled me, but this pain and hunger were also very dear to me”.

“Time and time again, I had to confirm that the sexual desire I felt was different from the ‘fall-in-love-and-have-babies’ that my mother had inculcated in me as a child”.

“Sex and love will soon disappear altogether. Now that babies are all made by artificial insemination, there’s no need to go to all that trouble”.

“Do you think sex will disappear from the world one day?”
“I don’t really know, but I’m sure it won’t. Not as long as you’re around, Amane”.

“Our sexuality was evolving, and the world was continuing to adapt accordingly”.

Here are a few interesting tidbits to ‘think about’:
“Humans are the only animal that breeds through scientific means”.
“Research into artificial insemination, progressed rapidly during World War II, as a result of a crisis caused by men leaving for the front and the consequent drastic reduction in the number of children”.
“In vitro fertilization (IVF) is expected to increase in the future. Infertility rates in the United States are on the rise.
….Reproduction problems in both men and women are rising at alarming rates.
….Lifestyle factors and societal changes (obesity, substance use, heavy drinking, and high blood pressure are culprits).
….Couples are waiting longer to start families and there is more divorce and remarriage.
….Other factors that can contribute to infertility include environmental toxins, sexually transmitted diseases, and hormonal and balance.

Back to “Vanishing World” …..
Other than the book cover giving me heebie-jeebies’ ….Sayaka Murata’s Japanese Literary/Dystopian/Sci-Fi/Contemporary Speculative fiction is a very enjoyable page turning mind-bending read.

"Normality is the creepiest madness there is."

Amane is mostly 'normal' throughout the book. It's even mentioned how strange it is that Amane is always able to adapt so well to society, no matter how weird society gets (and it gets really weird.) She doesn't always feel normal, but she adapts. Ideas and values change so fast in this society that generations (Amane's mom) get completely left behind in confusion.

Vanishing World is weird, and it made me uncomfortable but kind of in a good way.

3.5 stars

This is definitely going into my file of “wtf did I just read” books. This was like a strange, dystopian nightmare but where nothing all that bad is happening, it just feels weird. This book takes place in a society where all children are made via artificial insemination and the purpose of marriage is to ??? Raise the children?? I’m not super clear on that since it wasn’t for love or reproduction, other than to allow for both men and women to be involved in raising a family.
It felt like this book was trying to make a point that I just didn’t quite get. All of the characters felt very brainwashed which made me feel very unsettled. For the majority of the book Amane questions the world she lives in and why things are that way but as the book goes on you see her start to adapt to the rules of society and start to buy into the system.
I was down to accept this book as just weird vibes but then something happened right at the end that was just… too far and made me very uncomfortable. It didn’t really feel like it served a purpose and left me wondering what had just read

Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC!

I’ll come back for some more coherent thoughts but wow! Her voice is so specific and weird and off putting but also super easy to read. Wasn’t as gag inducing as Earthlings but I feel like I’ll think about it for a long time just like I did with that one. It’s too soon to tell but I think this is probably my favorite of her books. There’s so much to unpack here.

For my complete thoughts, see my review below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZHD5j6tENU

The biggest thank you to Grove Atlantic for this advance copy from one of my favorite authors.

Once you read Sayaka Murata's other books, you know what to expect. Society is getting weirder, the main character is struggling through it and you might throw up by the end. Her writing style is as unique as ever, and you find yourself nodding as she delivers jabs of commentary that is as poignant as the worlds she weaves are bizarre. As always, there's sex and bodily fluids and discomforting imagery that only she can handle this well as you're losing your mind along with the main character. The translation is on par with the other 3 books and absolutely delivers.

The premise of this novel hit me as something you would find in Life Ceremony and I thought that was its biggest weakness. I wish it was expected of me to just accept this concept of society rejecting sex and family relations, instead of the book explaining how it got to it, and it being unbelievable.

All in all, Sayaka Murata stays at the tippy top of my list and while I'd maybe not recommend picking this up as your first Murata book, she's as strong as ever and I'm in love with her mind.

Sayaka Murata's stories are the strangest and most unique ones I read. I usually start off her books shocked and confused, but as I read more pages, I become more invested. Vanishing World is about Japan's declining birth rates through a dystopian lens where people have children very deliberately, through science rather than copulation. The birth rates are controlled and the children are cared for by the government to become the best humans they can be. The story follows Amane as she navigates sex, marriage, and starting a family. She was one of the last people to be born from what is known as 'incest' -- when a husband and wife engage in intercourse to become pregnant, rather than what appears to be IVF.
The book was bleak, unexpected and, much like Murata's other works, a page turner you keep reading whether you want to or not. I'm not sure if I enjoyed this one, but I could not put it down.

This novel is an incredible dystopian scifi-like story that comments on societal norms, relationships, self gratification, gender roles and so much more. There wasn’t a page or a paragraph that didn’t make me question my own sanity! As the story progresses, there is a real sense of hysteria developing in our protagonist as she becomes more “normal” in this bizarre world. This is a book I’d highly recommend to anyone who loves a good weird lit fic read!


Vanishing World follows Amane through girlhood into adulthood. In this world, human population is only socially acceptable by artificial insemination but Amane is seemingly the only one left who was conceived naturally. We watch Amane struggle with and question what is normal for her. How does she manage her human instincts, what purpose does a family unit serve and is love sustainable with sex for all humankind? The ending will have you disturbed and (hopefully) thankful that this is not our reality! 😭

Thank you to netgalley and Sayaka Murata for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book! I enjoyed the ride of this one!

This book is set in a world where human reproduction almost exclusively takes place through IVF. Sex between married couples is seen as incest, and IVF a more efficient and cleaner way to reproduce. In experiment city, all children born are raised by all adults, and the 'family system' no longer exists.
The premise of this book is interesting, and the writing style makes it very easy to keep reading. Unfortunately this wasn't quite my cup of tea, but I would still be interested to try other books by this author.

“Thought provoking”

Well, I have thoughts about it and I feel provoked.

This novel is taking concepts and instincts considered natural to human societies and is turning them on their head. The concepts of family, sexual appetites, procreation, and community are all twisted until it becomes something alien and unrecognizable, even to the characters who are struggling to decide whether to stick with the old-fashioned and familiar or new and seemingly insane. Most of them choose insanity, and those that don’t are treated with pity and disgust.

As per usual with this author’s books, there is an element of the philosophy that if someone is doing something you consider weird, but isn’t actually harmful, then leave them be.

Also, as with all of Sayaka Murata’s books, the freak always hits the fan in the last 10%. I’m still processing that last 2% of Vanishing World and suspect that I will be for a while. Cheers.

Thank you to Grove Press and NetGalley for an arc of Vanishing World in exchange for an honest review.

"𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙡 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙛𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙."

Only Sayaka's mind could come up with something this out there! Although it didn’t resonate with me as much as her previous work, it was still a completely unique experience. The story’s themes were both bold and intriguing, and the conversations between the characters often felt refreshingly original. I just wish it had been more cohesive, as it felt a bit rushed and disjointed in places. Overall, though, it offered plenty of interesting ideas and thought-provoking conversations, making it a worthwhile read.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sayaka Murata's Vanishing World is yet another mind-bending literary marvel that cements her reputation as a daring and thought-provoking storyteller. Known for her ability to challenge societal norms through compelling metaphors and surreal narratives, Murata takes us on a journey that is as unsettling as it is profound.
The novel explores a world on the brink of disappearance—both literally and metaphorically—offering sharp commentary on the societal constructs we often take for granted. Murata uses her signature surrealist lens to question identity, conformity, and what it means to belong in a rapidly evolving society. Every page is packed with vivid imagery and hauntingly beautiful prose, making the reading experience both gripping and immersive.
What stands out the most is Murata’s deft ability to hold a mirror to our world while crafting a story that feels entirely otherworldly. The characters, though unconventional, are relatable in their struggles and desires, which makes their journey feel deeply personal and impactful. The themes she addresses—environmental decay, societal expectations, and the fragility of human connections—are represented through rich allegory, leaving plenty of room for reflection and interpretation.
I found this to be a profoundly binge-worthy read. Its short chapters and relentless pacing pull you in, while its layers of meaning encourage deep contemplation. Sayaka Murata has created a narrative that is as strange and eccentric as it is vital and urgent—a book that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page.
For fans of Murata’s previous works, this is an absolute must-read. And for those who are new to her unique storytelling, Vanishing World is the perfect introduction to her unflinching exploration of human nature. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review. This is a novel that deserves to be read, discussed, and celebrated for its audacious brilliance.
Rating: 4.25 /5 🌟

"Now it's your turn to become normal for me. It's time to go insane in this world, together with me."

There are many aspects I could highlight from this odd and complex book, but one that has truly captivated me is its exploration of how our context absorbs us—how we become a product of our circumstances and why challenging the norm proves so difficult. Vanishing World delves into questions of relationships and intimacy, reproduction, education, and parasocial relationships. It also pushes to the extreme the notion that community can eradicate loneliness, imagining what that might look like in a dystopian sci-fi version of the world.

Sayaka Murata has quickly become one of my favourite authors. What I value most in a book is its commitment to fully exploring a concept, following it through to all its consequences. I feel that Murata’s work has grown bolder over time, with some of the ideas she enjoys writing about expanding across her recent books. I admire the risks she takes on the page and how they challenge the reader, creating moments of discomfort that prompt us to question our own perspective on the world we live in.

It is not an easy read, but it is one that deserves to find its audience. I believe these are crucial discussions that we must engage with. Should family remain at the centre of our lives? What happens when romantic feelings are missing? Is the bond of friendship a stronger foundation for raising a family? Are liquid relationships simply a product of the times we live in, or do they reflect a reality that better suits us?

"She eats all kinds of things but what she likes best to consume is the world. She eats the world, and se becomes exactly like it. She's a really strange animal, but very interesting."

Sayaka Murata is an auto buy author for me, I will read anything she writes and every single one of her books has been a 5 star for me. Sometimes when you like an author this much you worry their next book won’t live up to how much you have hyped it up for yourself. This lived up to everything. I loved it!


It is unique, engrossing, wildly inventive, and just plain wild.


Murata went exactly where I did not expect her to (while still completely maintaining her very distinctive voice) in exactly the way I expected her to (while still being original and setting it apart from her previous work).


For a book that mentions sex 180 times, it couldn’t be less sexy. It strips down sex (pun intended) in a clinical dispassionate way that is both brilliant and uncomfortable. The social commentary is spot on but rather than it being spoon-fed to the reader, Murata completely flips the script and reinvents everything - in a way that really makes you think and reflect - by pushing all the boundaries and more.


This was everything I want in a book: smart, deranged, uncomfortable but entertaining. It was all I could think of and talk about during the two days it took me to finish it. Nothing short of genius.

Sayaka Murata is truly a talent. She never disappoints. This book brings all of her charm and talent back to readers and makes me fall in love with her writing all over again. I deeply love the characters she brings to life and the story she brings us on. I find her works is translated beautifully and she has truly one of my favorites to come out of Japan because her books never disappoint

in this dystopian novel set in alternate world of Japan, marriage no longer means what it used to and artificial insemination is the only acceptable way to bring children into the world. sex between married couples is now considered incest, and it's normal to date other people (real or animated) while married solely for sexual needs.

the premise of this novel was so unique and it kept me captivated. i've definitely never read anything like it. Murata's dry writing style worked well for the most part, but some moments did feel a bit slow. however, the ending picked up and i couldn't wait to finish.

overall, i liked this - 3.5 stars.

thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

I loved Convenience Store Woman, haven’t read Earthlings yet. Found this one disturbing and perturbing but also captivating and read it in a blink.