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!

This is the 3rd book I’ve read by Sayaka Murata and her imagination continues to amaze me. Partly a paradise (the experiment city is called Paradise-Eden) with shades of those old movies where everyone is the same, generic persons Vanishing World is a view of how the world might be if sex between married couples is taboo and children are artificially inseminated. It’s slightly disturbing and sad to read about this version of change in the world as we know it.

I absolutely love Sayaka Murata and all their books. This was another amazing novel, weird and wonderful whilst asking deeper questions you never knew you had. Would highly recommend this book for all its weirdness and also subtle creepiness with twists around each corner.

I would not describe this as a dystopian novel as I have seen it described elsewhere. This is a true speculative novel examining judgment and shame, and how those two feelings inform a lot of the damage done in all relationships. Vanishing World is set in a future where artificial insemination is now the only way that humans procreate; sexual intercourse between marriage partners is viewed as incest, and having sex with real-life people can be seen as dirty. I appreciated a lot of the repetitive and direct symbolism made through the usage of colours throughout the story, and as always, Murata's writing is effortlessly readable. Nevertheless, a very interesting middle portion is bookended by scenes that make me deeply uncomfortable involving children or child-like characters. While I appreciate Murata's work on how non-conforming people express themselves in society, and how this story explores if perceptions of love and lust were flipped, sexuality around children will never not make me deeply uncomfortable and undoes a lot of great work built up elsewhere in the novel.

https://thepearbook.com/2025/03/05/no-family-no-love-no-sex-whats-next/
Vanishing World, Sayaka Murata

Sayaka Murata has written a world that completely flips our way of thinking on its head. Everything normal becomes abnormal and vice versa.

A society in which it is frowned upon for a husband and wife to have sex is completely fascinating. Not only is it frowned upon, but it's considered incest. Murata shows us how quickly humanity and society can shift their beliefs and values. What was normal to us years ago can suddenly be absurd.

That's what makes reading this novel so captivating. To us, as readers in the early 21st century, this world Murata has created is so utterly strange and unbelievable. Yet, it's not impossible.

Amane, much like the reader, starts out apprehensive and unsure about the way the world is moving forward. But we see how, overtime, that world becomes more normal in her eyes.

One of the most interesting elements of discussion raised from this book is the distinction between the two different worlds. 'Experiment City' and the 'Other World'. The topic of 'brainwashing' is what really fascinated me. At first, it's not even a question that those living in Experiment City are being brainwashed. Unless you flip it on its head, in which case were we already brainwashed in our current world?

Finding where you belong and what you believe in is a very tricky business. Amane, through these uncertain, tumultuous times, finds that she is quite adaptable, and as a reader, I almost found myself adapting with her at moments.

Murata is keen to remind the reader that humans are nothing more than animals. And with this new way of living, with the idea of family, love and sex out the window - what kind of animals are we? Our current world is lead by family, love, and sex. So to write a world in which the very things that make us human are starting to vanish is incredibly original, slightly scary, and completely captivating.

While I’m a fan of Murata, admittedly Life Ceremony wasn’t my favourite (compared to Earthlings, Convenience Store Woman.) Personally, Vanishing World leaned more towards Life Ceremony.

I found the story to be a little hard to follow, as it didn’t seem to flow as well as Murata’s previous books. The concept was great, but the execution not-so-great.

However, the emotion in the book was gripping, and kept me reading to the end. Murata has an excellent way of gripping readers, and putting the reader in the main character’s shoes, despite the.. peculiar ways of her characters

If you've read Sayaka Murata's other books, you know they're weird. Is this one as weird? Yes and no.

In this mind-bending world, men and women can have babies. The foundation of a family and sex is outdated. Sayaka Murata knows how to make you feel weird and uneasy while also asking big questions. This book explores gender and sexuality in an interesting way, tackling some larger feelings like shame and identity. This was unhinged in the best way and I feel weirder having read it. Recommend if you're a weirdo...maybe less so if you're normal.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for this arc!

This is the second thing I've read from the author. Personally I like 'The Saleswoman' much more.

Vanishing World felt like a... murky read. But murky 'bad', not murky 'I enjoy this reading' and everything was going quite well, the reflections on society, marriage, love, sexual relations seemed interesting to me at all but then I felt that everything was going to waste and that this novel became something murky-dark.

As I said before, the interesting thing in question is society and how the way in which people connect was changing. I found it interesting that he brought up the topic of the bonds that are generated with fictional characters (although a little exaggerated, that's the point!) and how this modifies our lives.

It wasn't for me, I'm sure (and from what I've read in other reviews) someone will enjoy it but it wasn't my case.

Thank you very much Grove Atlantic for the ARC I read on NetGalley a change from an honest review.

This was weird, disturbing, and deeply interesting. I think the pace was maybe inconsistent, and some parts were redundant, which meant my interest waxed and waned. I enjoyed the commentary on family structures, new generations, and society as a whole. I wish there was more of a focus on that and less on the minutiae of their romantic culture.

instagram: karelervesayfalar

Vanishing World is a truly disheartening dystopia, as it tells a story in which all established societal and institutional knowledge about love, marriage, relationships, and parenthood is completely changed. In this world, sex between married couples is forbidden and considered incestuous. Having children is only possible through artificial insemination. Love, too, is outlawed within marriage; therefore, love becomes a vague, often non-sexual "thing" experienced with people—real or fictional—outside the marriage.

The fictional aspect of love in the story is rather sad; it reminded me of relationships that begin and end on social media, such as those involving anime characters, who are part of the "loved ones" within the novel.

The novel also explores the traumatic reality for Amane: her parents giving her life in the "traditional" way. Her mother, in fact, became pregnant naturally by her father. This fact creates an ongoing tension in Amane's thoughts about love, marriage, and motherhood throughout the novel. Amane is a restless and tense character. When she and her husband move to a city where an experimental method for having children is practiced, the tension intensifies. In this city, men can also become pregnant, children belong to everyone, all share the same name, and every adult—whether male or female—is referred to as "mother" by the children. For Amane, all of this continually reminds her of something she has always felt was missing from her life.

While reading the novel, I often felt overwhelmed, but this wasn’t due to the quality of the book itself—it was because the dystopia was so vividly and harshly brought to life in my mind. The reading experience can be challenging at times. On the other hand, it is a novel that can be quickly read and finished. The societal structure is so radically reversed. It is an interesting novel.

Thanks for the publisher and #netgalley for the arc.

I knew what I was getting myself into when I requested this ARC. I enjoyed Murata's previous works because of how otherworldly and distorted they are. This novel, though, was from another galaxy. And don't even get me started on that ending.

We follow Amane, who was naturally conceived through sexual intercourse, which is seen as a barbaric way to be conceived, compared to artificial insemination, which is this society's norm. Amane explores her complex relationship with love, romance, sex, and touch, and what that ultimately means to her, and the way she brought into the world with both fictional and real lovers. She tries to suppress her intense, sexual desires throughout her life. Marriage is now perceived as a sibling relationship, and sex with your marriage partner is the equivalent to committing incest. She lives in a sexless marriage with her husband, as they plan to live their lives in an utopia-experimental city, known as "Paradise Eden" where nuclear families don't exist. No matter who gives birth to a child, that child belongs to everyone, and everyone is that child's parent.

This book delivers intriguing commentary on socio-cultural norms, modern sexuality, familial ties, and pushing the boundaries between how the government dictates sexuality. I could write an entire thesis on this novel and the declining birth rate in Japan: how they are regulating birth rates and reproductivity. While this book did offer fascinating discussion, the novel itself fell flat at times. It felt redundant and very repetitive at times when Amane would have the same internal struggle with her sexuality on every other page. Murata's commentary was also very blatant and obvious about what she was attempting to convey, occasionally using her characters as placeholders to drive her philosophy to the readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.