I have to say that Under the Eye of the Big Bird was one of the most interesting, original, and unusual pieces of fiction I’ve read. The author, Hiromi Kawakami, has crafted something that’s almost hard to define. It’s a bit of science fiction, speculative fiction, and dystopian fiction, but also an ode to humanity as a whole.
The book reads both as a novel and as a collection of short stories, all overlapping as they leap forward in time. The basic premise is that humanity is dying out. There aren’t enough births to sustain the worldwide population, so two men come up with a plan to try to rebuild the human race. It starts with a type of cloning that uses animal DNA to create new humans.
But that’s only the beginning.
Isolated communities are set up, all overseen by Watchers who help to maintain the balance and the peace. The Watchers are put in place by the Mothers, who are sort of artificial human females that raise the cloned children. Over all of that is the Great Mother, who oversees it all.
I know, it sounds confusing, but this all comes out over the course of the book. Each story is layered off the end of the previous story. Minor characters in one story become the main characters in the next. And the time spans over the course of centuries. But the stories are focused on individuals and their lives instead of the global scale. That remains in the background.
The writing itself is wonderful, thanks to a great translation by Asa Yoneda. It’s poetic, concise, each character feels real and relateable. The themes cover what it is to be human, to be an individual, and questions whether or not humanity even deserves to survive.
The book ends on a hopeful note, but only if humanity can break its cycles of building and destroying.
If you’re interested in something different and altogether wonderful, pick up a copy of Under the Eye of the Big Bird. It’s a fantastic book and worth your time.
RB
Hi Richard
Thanks for your little review. You made us curious. We will surely have a look at this novel.
The Fab Four of Cley
:-):-) 🙂 🙂
Glad to hear that, my friend. Enjoy!
Seems to be a good read 😊
It definitely was, Aparna. Thanks!
That does sound like a fascinating tale! Thank you! 💞
Thank you, Dawn. 🙂
You book review reminds me of a quote by Ed Begley Jr
“When we destroy something created by man we call it vandalism but when we destroy something by nature we call it progress.”
That’s a very appropriate quote for the themes in this book, Jasper. Thanks for stopping by.
Ohh! This is kind of a theme like “the Handmaid’s tale” and that I enjoy very much.
To be honest, you can’t really go wrong with this author.
I am adding this one to my list and am excited to read it! Thanks for the review and suggestion!
It’s a very interesting concept that’s both dark and surreal, but also hopeful and pragmatic. I hope you get a chance to read it. 🙂
Certainly sounds interesting Richard
Thanks, Sheree. It’s definitely out of the ordinary.
Very intriguing and well written review, Richard.
Thank you, Pat. I really enjoyed this one. I like it when authors pull off something different.
🤓