A sharp, unsettling look at what it means to sell your body, your time, your future. In Swallows, Kirino explores surrogacy not just as a transaction, but as a deeply emotional and physical experience that exposes Japan’s cultural discomfort with reproduction, sex work, and gendered power. The novel can feel somewhat repetitive, but in a way that mirrors the numbness and constraint the characters endure. The conversations, especially those about food, purity, and control, reveal more than they seem on the surface.

Never NOT a fan of Natsuo Kirino. I would follow this author into hell and back. I just devoured this.

I had read the earlier work from the author. Though a slow story, I was intrigued by the plot and decieded to pick this one as well. the book is quite grphaic with some description and may not be for everyone.

As many reviewers have said, the people in this book were largely unlikable, and I admit that I enjoy reading about characters that I can relate to. However, the topics were interesting -- I'm always a fan of exploring ethical issues and you can't get anything gives rise to more ethical issues than topics of reproductive rights. An interesting, but not particularly enjoyable read.

I was intrigued by the concept of this book - a desperate, financially struggling temp worker agrees to put her uterus up for sale and be a surrogate for a wealthy ballet dancer and his wife, raising themes of money, control, power, status, and bodily autonomy.

However, this book fell flat in many, many ways. The blurb calls it “acutely funny and addictively page-turning,” but I found it hollow and two-dimensional, lacking the humor, dramatic tension, or suspense that usually make a story like this compelling. Perhaps some of this got lost in translation - I tend to get this same surprisingly empty feeling from many books translated from Japanese, which is why I think Nippon literary fiction works best in English.

The characters were similarly shallow, unlikable, and baffling. The main character, Riki, is childish yet personality-less, making decisions solely based on money yet taking reckless actions that would endanger her chance of even getting that money. The sponsoring couple seem to hate each other from the very beginning - I have no idea why they even want this child. (The only redeeming character was the wife’s rich asexual erotic illustrator bestie, the only character who can stand up to the obnoxious ballet dancer husband.)

Finally, I think this whole premise doesn’t carry the same weight to a non-Japanese reader. Surrogacy and its ensuing legal, medical, and cultural associations has been legal for a long time in the US, but is still technically illegal in Japan. This brings an element of danger, taboo, and stigma that I struggled to fully grasp as an American reader, making the questions of power, autonomy, and ownership a little less impactful than I imagine they would be to a Japanese audience.

Swallows is a Japanese novel translated into English that I think will not be accessible to many American readers. I enjoyed this novel but have fairly extensive experience with Japanese culture from studying the language and culture in high school and being an exchange student in the country. I would recommend this only if you are familiar with that culture.

In this book Riki, originally from a small town in Hokkaido,, is struggling to make it in Tokyo. A friend turns her onto the idea of donating eggs to earn extra money which eventually leads to Riki agreeing to becoming an egg donor and surrogate for a couple, Yuko and Motoi, that cannot have a baby of their own.
The book brought up interesting points on what constitutes being a parent, genetics or birthing, and surrogacy. In fact, Yuko’s friend Ririko says that hiring a surrogate is exploitation because Riki has nothing else to sell besides her uterus and eggs. This book also talked a lot about sex, following along with the Japanese customs of talking about sex in their entertainment despite being reserved in regular life.

The title was an interesting choice, while it’s spelled with ikura (salmon eggs), I would have thought it would have referenced eggs in some way.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy of this novel.

Swallows is a provocative, unsettling exploration of surrogacy, class, and the illusion of choice. Kirino crafts a scenario where desperation meets privilege, and the consequences ripple far beyond the initial transaction. At the center is Riki, a character whose decisions often frustrate, yet whose vulnerability underscores the power imbalance she’s trapped in.

The novel deftly examines how reproductive autonomy becomes murky when economics and ego collide. One man’s obsession with legacy sets off a chain of events that exposes the fragility of every relationship involved. Yuko’s shifting stance adds another layer to the novel’s meditation on control and complicity.

While the plot’s direction reveals itself gradually, it culminates in a finale that’s both unsettling and believable. Kirino doesn’t sensationalize, but simply lets the consequences settle where they may. And in doing so, she leaves the reader with lingering questions about identity, responsibility, and the untold future of those caught in the fallout.

3.5⭐️

4 stars. This was such an interesting read and made me think a lot. A young woman in Tokyo struggling with money decides to become a surrogate for a wealthy couple unable to reproduce. Interesting discussions about sex work, surrogacy, the pressure to be a parent, and motherhood. I think sometimes people focus too much on liking the characters or plot of a book and miss the mark on what the book is actually discussing. Sometimes a book makes you use your brain and that’s okay. As always, thank you to the publisher for a wonderful earc.

This was exactly as it's described as. It was a poignant novel about a woman's reproductive autonomy, the effects of poverty, pregnancy, marriage, and motherhood. Almost all the characters are largely unlikable, or at least will make some huge decisions that are extremely unlikable. I would not call this character driven but I would call it theme driven and idea-bound, and it delivers on its promise to tell a story that you wont forget. The one thing I did not enjoy about Swallows was Kirino's attempt to inject humor into the story. Most times, the attempts fell flat due to timing or the sensitivity of the subject (I won't rule out that this could be due to translation).

If you are a fan of loveable characters, you will likely not like this book very much. It is more a social commentary on reproduction, fertility options, social class, and sex in modern day Japan. Really none of the main characters are very likeable... but they are understandable, and their complex emotions when handling a surrogate pregnancy are interesting to observe. What an overall fickle group of individuals though! While the cultural attitudes represented in this book are often different than those in America, one thing remains the same... if you are a female from a lower socio-economic class and want to be able to have a financially comfortable and independent life, prioritize you education before all else. Economic security equates with having more viable choices in life.

Having just returned from a vacation in Japan, I thought that Tokyo really came to life in the pages. From the mass transit stations, to the food, to the 7/11 stores on every corner, everything felt authentic. I highly recommend a visit if you have opportunity to do so.

I'm not sure that I understand the book title, though the cover art (uonotamago) makes perfect sense!
3.75 stars

Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

I find books that have been translated into English so fun to read because it’s clear that some of the cultural lingo doesn’t match well and it’s sort of like solving a mystery. Swallows was no different, and I was constantly surprised by choices the characters made. It has some of the most human and also hateable characters I’ve read recently 😂 but overall it was a really interesting dive into the world of fertility, producing humans as a business, and the narcissism that we all should challenge ourselves to ponder when it comes to the desperation to pass on our genes. I did feel that some of the deeper thought behind it didn’t translate as effectively as I wanted it to and the ending was a bit abrupt.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Swallows is a gripping and intense exploration of family, grief, and survival. Kirino dives deep into the complexities of motherhood and the lengths people will go to protect those they love. The story is raw and unflinching, peeling back layers of tension and emotional turmoil.

The writing remains sharp and immersive, pulling you into a world where love and desperation blur. Kirino’s characters are flawed and vivid, driving the narrative with their conflicting desires and fears.

The pacing slows in parts, which may test patience, but the emotional depth keeps the story compelling throughout. While it may not reach the same heights as Kirino’s best work, it still offers a haunting and thoughtful look at resilience under pressure.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC. This review reflects my honest opinion.

Thanks to NetGalley, I received an advance copy. For anyone who has ever struggled to pay the bills - to just get by day to day - the main character can be very relatable. And as you age, the struggle with fertility is real. The big question is how far are you willing to go whether others push you or for yourself?

The novel is not uplifting nor particularly fast-paced but the struggles are relatable and the dividing line between the rich and poor are not shied away from. The fall release will be well-timed for a read during the darker days of the year.

This is the first book that I’ve read by this author. Beautifully written sorry about childbirth, motherhood, and surrogacy. Would recommend if you are interested in finding a new voice in literature!

confusing book about what is female. is it baby making machine, is it damaged work effort? did not appreciate the wavering back and forth feeling of wanting to make money vs. being a paid baby maker. maybe I do not understand the asian culture. and why did she have sex twice after being told not to. this character needed to pick a path and follow that.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. As always, Kirino's prose is addictive! I felt like the end was a bit rushed or was missing something, but it was still a compelling read.

“Swallows” appealed to me because 1) I’ve enjoyed so many translated-from-Japanese books over the past few years, and 2) it dealt with the use of IVF and surrogates, as well as their usage in Japan.

Riki and her long-time friend, Teru, are bemoaning the fact that they have so little money. Riki had moved from one of the Japanese islands to Tokyo, in hopes of a better life. None appeared. Teru, even with a four-year college degree, could not find a decent-paying job.

Teru hears about selling her eggs to make money and suggests the idea to Riki. The agency they contacted also spoke with them about IVF and surrogacy. Since the latter is illegal in Japan, corners must be cut.

Other principal characters are Yuko and her husband, Motoi Kusaoke. They have been trying to conceive a child.

Natsuo Kirino has written a moving book. I was moved by how challenging it was for single women to manage their finances. I felt for Yuko and Motoi, who had tried everything possible to have a child together.

I found the book difficult to put down. Some problems I had thought might occur and others I had never dreamed of, occurred. The pace seemed to increase steadily.

I would never have guessed the ending.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance reader copy of “Swallows.” This is my honest review.

Riki comes to Tokyo not knowing anyone and needing to find a job, but the only thing she can find is a job as a surrogate for famous ballet dancer Motoi and his wife, Yuko who cannot have children. Riki provides the egg and her womb, and she is artificially inseminated with Motoi's sperm. The dancer and his wife agree to take care of all Riki's surrogacy expenses and to raise the child as their own.

However, when Riki discovers she is carrying twins who may not have been fathered by Motoi but possibly by one of two other men with whom she had brief affairs just before insemination, things become complicated for all concerned. And especially for Riki whose maternal instincts kick in later in her pregnance, leading her to maybe consider the idea of raising the twins by herself.

The complications of surrogacy is explored in this novel, not only the physical demands and procedures, but the emotions of the people involved. Changes of mind by all three, from one state to another, make this novel a study in personalities and characters in a difficult situation. I read on, mesmerized by the story and the final resolution. It was not a disappointment.

I loved it! Why beat around the bush.. it was a terrific novel. The translator did an amazing job. The subject matter.. surrogacies ..is a current news worthy topic. All of the characters were brought to life with such finesse. I loved reading a book about a different culture and the people that inhabit it. I have chosen it as the next discussion book for my club. Applause for the author who I hope will write another brilliant follow up. Bravo

Swallows is an interesting look at class - set in Japan, the protagonist agrees to be a surrogate for an upper class couple in exchange for a substantial amount of money. With quirky characters, a vivid setting full of Japanese cultural references, complex themes with accessible prose, Swallows was an enjoyable read. Much thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for an honest review.