EARTHLINGS

Sayaka Murata's new novel packs a slow wallop, much more so when heard than when read off the page. Nancy Wu, who also narrated Murata's first novel, CONVENIENCE STORE WOMAN, effectively conveys the child voice of Murata's narrator, Natsuki, who converses with her stuffed toy and imagines she is an alien marooned on earth. What at first sounds like childish fantasy soon evolves into a horrifying story of childhood abuse with adult consequences. At its heart is Natsuki's compelling depiction of The Factory--the familiar world of work and family that Natsuki rebels against and in terrible ways succumbs to. The story is part horror, part social satire, and Wu maintains a fine balance that will keep listeners rapt. D.A.W. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2020]