Do not let the hedgehog deceive you, this is a dark and disturbing book containing a good handful of traumatic events. That is the primary thing I feel should be known going in, the plot and everything else is best discovered as you read.

Earthlings explores the pressure to conform and challenges taboos in modern Japanese society. If the reality is as rigid and demanding as depicted in this book, it sounds miserable. It is not the culture I was born into so it is not something I can personally properly assess. Her writing style does feel to over exaggerate things for effect, which proves a strength rather than a detriment, but even with a ludicrous as the tale gets there still is a valid critique you can see at its core.

My main issue was with the ending. It took the tone of the book and dialed it up way too high way in a short span of time. It definitely felt intentional and for many it probably landed well, it just did not for me. It felt rushed, a gradual build up I think would have served better. That is a small issue though and very subjective, everything else was very well executed.