Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and Sayaka Murata for this intriguing novel on the implications of sexual desire and family, and how the world is turned on its axis in a hauntingly real-in-a-not-so-distant-future kind of way. I especially loved the character development of our beloved Amane, who continuously fights and questions her sexual impulses and desire to be a mother, as sex is considered taboo when it is between a husband and wife because society has shifted it's mindset to only accepting artificial insemination. The spiral felt so real, and I was right there with her through her failed first, and then subsequent marriage.
Do you have what it takes to exist and become a Mother?
Completely unsettling in Murataesque fashion. Utter genius.

In this dystopian novel, Amane, a Japanese woman in her 30's, navigates a world where romantic love, sex, and families as we know them are disappearing.

I love reading fiction translated from Japanese. There's just something about the language, the sentence structure, and just the...indescribable vibe that is unlike anything else that I read. It's poetic, but also, to the point, with beautifully perfect descriptions achieved without wasting any words. I enjoyed this novel. It's a real "thinker" and led to me pondering the roles of love, sex, and family in my life and what the world might be like without them. This novel delivers a slow burn, with an unexpected (and shocking!) twist in the final pages. I'm a fan of Murata's previous books, and this one did not disappoint. I'll be recommending it to folks looking for something a little different and those who love to read dystopic fiction.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Vanishing Worlds is another installment in the weird world of Sayaka Murata. This time she is exploring a speculative future where sex with your husband or wife is considered incest and taboo and while some people date outside of their marriage and even have sex, increasingly this is something not everybody is comfortable with.

Murata is obsessed with the idea that a sexual relationship and partnerhood are linked. Exploring A sexual relationships, platonic marriages and other ideas that test the connection between this. Is it societal expectation that stops us marrying our best friend? It is an interesting question, although I do wish Murata would look at the idea that intimacy creates connection.

Murata has created a cool world that I want to know more about, a world where men are very close to being able to have a baby, a world where everybody is the parent to every child, What she has failed to do, is to create a plot that drives this story, it's there, but it's not as strong as Earthlings or Convenience Store Woman. The tension between Amane and her mother isn't really explore in enough depth either. The weird way society has turned surely impacts on the thoughts and logic of the characters in this novel, but it's hard to get into that frame of mind.

While Murata is a very talented and interesting author, one of my favourites, and I wouldn't say this novel was poor, it was disappointing considering the high standards set by her previous novels. This was enjoyable, but felt a little watered down compared to her previous works.

3.25 stars - this is a real page turner, it was truly so hard to put down. i think the main themes of social norms, parasocial relationship, and identify were interesting and touched on in a unique way, even if they were a bit repetitive. that ending though?? it left me extremely uncomfortable, and sadly lost me.

Unfortunately no Sayaka Murata book has lived up to Convenience Store Woman for me. I really want to like her books. She almost gets there with this one, but the slow pace and repetitive monologuing are an absolute slog. There is a certain tone to Japanese translations that can either be really charming or really aggravating, and for this one it was the latter. The final act was the most interesting, but I really would have liked to the whole book commit to that arc.

Well Sayaka Murata does it again.

I always enjoy the way Murata challenges social norms and this book does not fail in that. Following Amanes journey was a ride && while I didn’t want to get off the ride, I cannot say that I wanted to be on it any longer by the time we got to the end.

If you liked earthlings or convenient store woman, you’ll like this. It does have that same theme which I was hoping we would have something a smidge different, but nonetheless really enjoyed this.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was... an interesting experience, to say the least.

I always feel uneasy when I read Murata's work, and I like it! I know it will make me uncomfortable and get me thinking. This novel is divided in three parts, and the last one really took a creepy turn. Everything in this universe seems so artificial - the world, its relationships and families...

If I were to describe this book in one word it would be "thought-provoking". Truly a must-read,

This book presents a weird yet intriguing concept, offering something refreshingly new for me. However, while the premise is thought-provoking, the execution falls short of delivering a compelling impact. The story lacks a structured plot, relying instead on repetitive conversations about sex, family, and children, which can feel monotonous at times.

The book remains oddly captivating, pulling me in despite its unconventional narrative style. It’s easy to read in terms of language, yet challenging as it confronts societal norms, making for a conflicting reading experience. The ending, in particular, delivers a shocking "banger" moment—one that I found both satisfying and unsettling, leaving me struggling to fully process my thoughts. While Vanishing World may not have met my expectations in terms of storytelling, its ability to provoke deep reflection makes it a memorable read.

A. World-Building
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Brilliantly strange and immersive, creating a reality that is strangely logical in its own way.

B. Plot & (Il)logic
⭐⭐⭐: Loose but functional; yet oddly coherent, keeping you hooked.

C. Themes & Satire
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: A sharp, thought-provoking satire that makes you question reality.

D. Characters & Dialogue
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Wildly creative and engaging, even in their bizarre logic.

E. Overall Enjoyment & Mind-Bending Factor
⭐⭐⭐: Entertaining, though may not resonate deeply.

Vanishing World is frightening, thought-provoking, and weird unlike anything I've ever read recently. It's an unsettling and controversial story that brutally exposes social standards around reproduction, love, parasocial relationships, sex, parenting, and family structures. Sayaka Murata, recognised for defying norms in her work and writing weird fiction, transports us to a future where sex has been eliminated and conception is possible only by artificial insemination. In this environment, the protagonist, Amane, fights with her own emotions and desires while attempting to fit into a society that rejects traditional notions of family and romantic love.

The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 introduces us to a world in which pregnancy and sex are seen in very different ways. We watch Amane's battle with fitting in, which she eventually decides not to do but keeps hidden and feels ashamed of. Part 2 delves more into marriage and relationships in this culture, as well as Amane's continued struggle to blend in. Part 3 takes a dark turn into a dystopian, cult-like environment as Amane gives in, pursuing perfection in a new society but still questioning whether this life is for her. By the conclusion, everything comes together in an unnerving, distressing way, and things get really odd.

I thought the first half of the story to be very intriguing because it focusses on Amane's adolescence. Through her eyes, we see the steady shift of society, from one in which people have romantic sentiments for fictitious characters (sometimes actual people) and aspire to marriage and children to one in which these impulses are becoming increasingly rare. As time passes, people become increasingly at ease with a life free of emotional entanglements, moving away from fundamental desires. The ending was definitely shocking and I'm still trying to figure out was it done like that deliberately for shock value to illustrate how Amane's fight against her instincts was always futile? The importance of water is my favourite part of the story.

Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC

I am uncomfortable.
I am so conflicted because this was such a thought-provoking book. This was going to be a surprising four stars… but then the end happened. I wanted to THROW the book across the floor but not in a good way, not in shock, but in pure gross disgust.

Now that pregnancy and childbirth occur by scientific means, they are separate from romantic love. Instead, sexuality is developed in a sterile place where people are encouraged to fall in love with fictional characters.
Sex between a married couple is called incest and the family unit is considered separate to sexuality and romance.

<b>“Mmm, in my case I feel more like I’m the one being consumed. It feels like before I know what’s happening, I’m being dragged into this pseudo-romance system, instilling pseudoromantic feelings in us to make us consume so that it can ultimately devour us. After all, that’s how the economy works, isn’t it? These are businesses to make you fall in love, and I feel like I’m being targeted. That’s why I sometimes hate the system.”</b>

This basically questions the normalisation of certain processes by society. If everyone does something, the new becomes the mundane and expected.

This premise allows the author to question conventions such as the purpose of family, marriage, even forging lasting connections. The idea of queer relationships is touched on when the idea of men carrying babies to term in an artificial womb is introduced.

<b>“We’re all animals in the process of evolving. So whether or not our instincts match the world is just a coincidence, and we have no idea what will be considered right in the next instance.”
</b>
This is uncomfortable and bizarre, yet very compulsive and really made me reflect on our current values.

This wasn’t as weird as Earthlings for me, but like I said at the start, that ending was really icky however the more I let it settle, the more I realise how impactful it was. Despite my deep loathing of it.

Physical shiny arc gifted by Grove Atlantic.

3/5

Such a curious premise. A bit eerie and horrific, but also so interesting. I'm not sure I could ever see the world ending up like this, but it's sure something to think about.

Thank you NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Having read Earthlings before, I expected this book to be weird and it definitely is. Vanishing World explores society’s obsession with norms and what it’s like to not fit in. It explores the lengths people go to in order to conform or hide their true selves. There’s also an unsettling look at perfection and how chasing it can feel dystopian and creepy.

The book is split into three parts. In Part 1, we’re introduced to a world where pregnancy and sex are viewed in a completely different way. We see Amane's struggle with fitting in, ultimately choosing not to, but keeping it a secret and feeling shame because of it. Part 2 dives into marriage and relationships in this society, and shows Amane’s attempt to blend in a bit more. This section felt like the slowest part of the book, and it dragged a little for me. Then in Part 3, things take a dark turn into a dystopian, cult-like world where Amane gives in, chasing perfection in a new society, but still wondering in the back of her mind if this life is for her. Everything ties together in an unsettling, disturbing way by the end and gets very weird.

Overall, I enjoyed the commentary and some of the weirdness, it was just a tad bit slow.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

Sayaka Murata’s Vanishing World offers readers a hauntingly evocative exploration of human existence, identity, and the intersections between the two in an increasingly alienating world. Known for her deft handling of unconventional narratives, Murata once again delivers a thought-provoking novel that challenges social norms and examines how individuals navigate a world that often feels too rigid, too demanding, and too indifferent.

In Vanishing World, Murata creates a dystopian backdrop where human connections are fragile, and technology, societal expectations, and conformity are omnipresent forces. The protagonist is an introspective character whose internal monologues reveal a profound disconnection from the world around her. As she struggles to find meaning in her interactions with others, Murata takes the reader on a journey through the complexities of identity, loneliness, and the desire for autonomy in a world that often feels like it is slipping away.

One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is Murata’s ability to present uncomfortable truths with empathy and insight. The narrative never shies away from the darker aspects of human existence, and yet, it doesn’t feel bleak or hopeless. Instead, it sparks reflection, inviting the reader to consider the nature of their own place in society and the possibility of personal reinvention. Murata’s prose, as always, is sharp and understated, capturing the subtle yet potent emotional undercurrents of her characters.

While the novel’s premise and tone are uniquely Murata’s, there are thematic echoes of her earlier works, such as Convenience Store Woman and Earthlings. Both works deal with characters who struggle to fit into societal molds but are still searching for a sense of meaning, whether through rebellion, acceptance, or the exploration of alternative identities. In Vanishing World, this theme is explored with an even more introspective, almost philosophical, lens, creating a narrative that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant.

What sets Vanishing World apart from other dystopian narratives is its nuanced portrayal of the human psyche. The characters, though positioned within a crumbling society, are more concerned with the internal landscape of their lives, struggling with their own perceptions of self-worth, connection, and freedom. Murata’s writing doesn't rely on dramatic world-building or action-driven plots, but rather it moves through small, intimate moments that reveal the profound emotional shifts of its characters.

In conclusion, Vanishing World is a quietly powerful novel that captures the complexities of living in a world where everything seems to be vanishing, yet the internal world remains rich with possibility. Murata’s ability to write with a quiet intensity is on full display, making this novel a thought-provoking and poignant meditation on existence, isolation, and the potential for personal transformation.

I was very happy to have the opportunity to read an ARC of Murata’s latest novel. Murata has a remarkable ability to craft characters who never quite fit into the rigid mold of society. Her protagonists often struggle with the tension between embracing their true selves and conforming to societal expectations—a dynamic that feels deeply authentic to the experience of many outsiders in real life.

One of the most fascinating aspects of this novel is its exploration of sexual desire and the societal detachment from both the act of procreation and the traditional necessity of it. Murata presents a world where the natural impulses that have long defined human relationships are gradually eroded, raising compelling questions about identity, autonomy, and the evolution of social norms.

I found the first half of the novel particularly compelling, as it focuses on Amane’s adolescent years. Through her perspective, we witness the gradual transformation of society—from a world where people experience romantic desire to fictional characters (occasionally real people), and aspire to marriage and children, to one where these feelings become increasingly rare. As the years pass, individuals grow more comfortable with a life devoid of emotional entanglements, moving further away from traditional human instincts.

The ending is difficult to articulate, as it evokes a complex mix of inevitability and quiet resistance. What ends up happening ant the very end isn’t necessarily surprising—it’s something that always lingered beneath the surface, a desire that Amane could never fully erase, no matter how much society evolved.

I did not like the book but I was enchanted by it, so much that I avoided social media (!) for two days to read it. I don't even know what attracted me. The writing was too fast for my tastes, the characters weren't enough developed, too much self-entered. I'd recommended to anyone interested in something better than social media or fast food and seeps into your soul, almost without noticing it.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for offering me this book in exchange of an honest review.

It’s….. odd. There’s no getting around it. The only other book I’ve read by Sayaka Murata is “Convenience Store Woman”, which I believe is the tamest of all her titles but also very strange and disquieting. “Vanishing World” isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s a story of a suffocating, soulless alternative timeline where humans (as we are frequently reminded) are the only animals who copulate through science. Are all the people in this timeline as hyper fixated on sex and relationships as the main character? It’s hard to tell, but she seems to believe she’s cursed with an infatuation with the concept. Her inner monologue definitely supports that belief.

While this title might not be exactly for me, I can appreciate Murata’s writing style (i.e. clinical and crass, reflecting the society that artificially inseminates women and works diligently on artificial wombs so men can carry babies). I also very much appreciate the constant reflections on the difference between romantic love, family, and sex. In fact, it was so constant it almost made me lose the plot many times. This is also one of those tricky titles where I’m not sure if I should be recommending it without trigger warnings. In the context of the story sex is supposed to be confusing and devoid of emotion. But there are disturbing aspects. I would just say if any type of sex or sex outside the “norm” is uncomfortable for you, steer clear! Overall a quick and interesting read. I understand why Sayaka Murata has such devoted readers.

This disturbing novel focuses on a Japan where families less important, sex is becoming rare, children are born via insemination, and spouses date and fall in love with people other than the person they are married to. It is the dissolution of the family and the avoidance of sex that leads people to have fantasy relationships with fictional characters and many never have sex with anyone. In this world, a woman and her husband decide to move to a city where all children are raised collectively. During their time there, they slowly buy into the idea that families are a thing of the past and that both men (artificial wombs are a thing) and women are "wombs in the service of the human race".

The book is clearly a dystopia, but it oddly pushes an anti-family pro-procreation message.

Cautions: This book discusses sex with a minor, miscarriage, masturbation.

Lots to think about in this book. But the writing was a bit flat and the pace a bit slow. I'm not sure I really understood the ending. But worth a read if you are into exploring how different futures develop.

Vanishing World is unsettling, thought-provoking, and completely unlike anything I’ve read before. Sayaka Murata creates a dystopian society where traditional ideas of sex, family, and human nature are radically reimagined. The world-building is eerie and fascinating, and I loved how it challenged the idea of “normal.”

That said, the pacing dragged—the first half felt painfully slow, making it hard to stay engaged. But then the story takes a wild, unsettling turn that had me hooked. Amane’s journey is disturbing yet compelling, forcing readers to question societal expectations.

Murata’s signature weirdness is here in full force, so if you liked Earthlings or Convenience Store Woman, you might appreciate this. But be prepared for a slow burn with an explosive payoff.

Vanishing World is a disturbing and provocative novel that crudely exposes social norms related to reproduction, love and loneliness. Sayaka Murata, known for challenging conventions in her works, immerses us in a world where sex has been eradicated and procreation occurs solely through artificial insemination. In this context, the protagonist, Amane, struggles with her own feelings and desires as she tries to fit into a society that rejects the traditional concept of family and romantic affection.

I really enjoyed the social critique that Murata raises, especially in her view on reproduction and how society shapes human relationships. The book questions to what extent imposed norms can really eradicate people's inherent emotions and needs, and shows a reality where loneliness seems to be the price of social stability. Murata's prose is simple but effective, conveying a constant sense of strangeness and unease.
While I found the novel fascinating, at times I felt that certain aspects could have been explored more thoroughly. Still, the story manages to leave a lasting impression and offers a profound reflection on our own society and its values.

A recommended read for those who enjoy speculative science fiction with a strong critical edge and an original approach to themes such as love, motherhood and identity.

Murata’s ability to sculpt dystopian landscapes is truly admirable. From the first few pages we learn that in this new world, copulation between husbands and wives is considered taboo and our main character is one of the very few people who still engages in sexual activity for pleasure. The concept is thought provoking and poses the question, what do relationships and family truly mean when stripped of romantic love and sex?

The strange and sometimes comical world that has been crafted here successfully pokes fun at the strict societal norms that are present in Japan and consistently urges the reader to question their own beliefs around love and relationships.

I had a great reading experience with this, ploughing through it over a couple of days. The authors voice is accessible and intimate throughout, therefore I can foresee Vanishing World becoming a quintessential weird lit hit among wider audiences as well as Murata’s already established fan base.

The ending was absolutely bizarre and one I definitely didn’t see coming. I’m still unpacking it honestly, which I’m sure is intended!