RaveLit ReactorThe main character, Keiko, is an a-sexual who struggles with mental illness ... The other main character is an Incel who sees his life through a bleak and fatalistic neo-Darwinian lens. With many other writers, this could have fallen flat, come off as preachy, dreary, or pretentious, but Murata\'s skillful weaving of humor and humanity make this a special book. She doesn’t go the cliché route by turning the narrative into a love story ... this book doesn\'t follow a trite \'love conquers all\' plot. Despite that, I found this to be a very American story ... I love the existentialism that permeates the story ... I found it very exciting to see the working-class novel turned on its head. For a lot of western civilization, the idea of working a low-paying job isn\'t a story they usually want to read about ... But I found it to be uplifting and inspiring.
Scott McClanahan
RaveLitReactorWow. It’s a rare thing to get to use the world 'excellent' in a review, but this novel was excellent. McClanahan has already established himself as an exciting new writer, but with this book he takes a step towards being one of the great writers of this decade. It’s not a plot-driven book in the traditional sense, but it’s a page-turner because I need to know what 'the character' will say next. I need to know more about him and Sarah. McClanahan breaks down expectations of what a novel should be, in creating a work that will be as memorable as the love and heartbreak he felt for Sarah.
