A review by karin_goodreads
Life Ceremony by Sayaka Murata

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Sayaka Murata's "Life Ceremony" is a collection of unusual and definitely bizarre short stories revolving around fundamental aspects of human existence—societal norms, relationships, and identity. Another thought-provoking piece, sort of in a similar wavelength with Julianna Baggott's "I'd Really Prefer Not to Be Here with You", but take it up a notch with the abnormalities. Honestly, I don't remember much, since it took me so long to get through this book (I had it paused for a LONG time), but the end was smooth sailing. The book was fine, but even with the scandalous stories, I think it will be a little bit unmemorable to me, sorry. We love & support strangeness, though! 

  • A First-Rate Material - an interesting idea; we do that with animals.
  • A Magnificent Spread - no recollection at first, but this might've been about food culture.
  • A Summer Night's Kiss -🔹an iconic lady (both of them actually), preach. Comforting.
  • Two's Family -🔹defying traditional familial structures? Go ladies! This was sweet.
  • The Time of the Large Star - total memory wipe, supposedly about sleep.
  • Poochie - what don't humans do? This didn't even feel far-fetched.
  • Life Ceremony -🔹title story; I wouldn't want to do that, but why did it make logical sense in a weird way? Also, the most memorable one.
  • Body Magic - a nice chapter with a refreshing take on the topic of ones sexuality.
  • Lover on the Breeze - this makes me laugh, because what are we doing? A curtain of all things...?
  • Puzzle - as the name says, this one was perplexing. I'd say it's the most 'difficult' one to read, but it's also an intriguing concept to explore the nature of existence.
  • Eating the City - time to eat the weeds from my garden-type inspiration; doesn't it give cannibalism in a nonsensical way?
  • Hatchling -🔹most relatable, felt called out, but strangely understood. Unexpected ending. 
  • Clean Marriage - I'm side eyeing so hard, I can't even say anything.

Once again, short stories are a great way to pace myself, but the lengths varied more in this one. I don't feel a particular way about this book, but the investigation into human behaviors and experiences is always fascinating. More so when it's pushed to the extreme, it makes you uncomfortable in an introspective way while finding ways to be relatable. 

I mean, normal is a type of madness, isn’t it? I think it’s just that the only madness society allows is called normal.
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