Under the Eye of the Big Bird

by Hiromi Kawakami
Under the Eye of the Big Bird cover
Good Books rating 4.12
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £7.99–£9.99 Hardback • £14.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 431
  • Added: 2025-09-11
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781593766207
  • Publisher: Catapult
  • Published: 2024-09-03
  • Formats: 64
  • Reviews: 4

Under the Eye of the Big Bird is a speculative fiction masterpiece by one of Japan's most brilliant contemporary novelists. It envisions a future where humans are nearing extinction, living in small tribes under the observation and care of 'Mothers.' The novel explores the intricate dynamics of reproduction, ecology, evolution, artificial intelligence, communal life, creation, love, and the future of humanity. The story unfolds over fourteen interconnected episodes spanning geological eons, blending technical and pastoral elements to present a mournful yet utopian vision of the end of our species as we know it. The narrative delves into the survival of the human race through interbreeding with alien beings, raising questions about connection, love, reproduction, and evolution. The novel's unique perspective and profound exploration of these themes make it a standout in the genre of speculative fiction.

Reviews
RichardBist.com · Richard Bist · 2025-09-12
poetic 4.25

The writing is poetic and concise, with well-developed characters that feel real and relatable.

Richard Bist praised the book's writing, noting its poetic and concise style. He found the characters to be well-developed and relatable, which added depth to the story. The reviewer appreciated the translation by Asa Yoneda, which they felt enhanced the overall reading experience. They also noted that the book's themes are thought-provoking, making it a memorable and engaging read.

Quick quotes

    The writing itself is wonderful, thanks to a great translation by Asa Yoneda.

    It's poetic, concise, each character feels real and relateable.

    The book's themes are thought-provoking, making it a memorable and engaging read.

Nolite Thoughts · 2025-03-18
engaging 4.00

The novel's unique structure kept the reader's attention focused throughout. It is a compact book, easily readable in one sitting.

The reviewer found the book's structure refreshing, as it helped maintain their focus from start to finish. Despite its short length, the novel packs a lot into its pages, making it a quick yet engaging read. The reviewer appreciated the way the story unfolded, keeping them invested in the narrative. They also noted that the book's themes are thought-provoking, adding depth to the reading experience.

Quick quotes

    It was refreshing and helped my attention to stay in focus throughout the novel.

    It is a small book with 288 pages, easily readable in one or two sittings.

    The novel packs a lot into its pages, making it a quick yet engaging read.

Substack · Wind-Up Blog · 2025-02-01
intriguing 3.75

The book is a confusing but rewarding collection of interlinked stories that gradually reveal a bleak yet occasionally humorous vision of humanity's extinction. Its varied narrative voices and gradual unfolding of the bigger picture keep readers engaged despite initial ambiguity.

This review highlights the book as a novel-in-stories that initially confuses readers by presenting fragmented and sometimes misleading information. However, as the stories progress, a fuller understanding of the dystopian world emerges, making the experience rewarding. The book balances grim themes of human extinction with moments of love and humor, providing emotional variety. The reviewer appreciates the distinct voices of the stories, some of which are childlike and engaging, helping to maintain interest despite the challenging structure. The author's technique of withholding information and then revealing the truth later is seen not as a cheap trick but as a deliberate way to deepen the reader's engagement and comprehension over time.

Quick quotes

    By the end of the novel... you feel that you understand 'the big picture' to some degree.

    Some of the stories feature love and humour.

    Kawakami seems to enjoy feeding the reader tiny bits of information and holding almost everything back.

The Guardian · 2025-01-02
unsettling 4.50

The book presents a brilliantly strange and unsettling vision of evolution, with the spectre of extinction looming over humanity.

The reviewer was struck by the book's unusual and unsettling portrayal of evolution, which challenges the reader's perceptions of humanity's place in the world. The spectre of extinction adds a layer of urgency and gravity to the narrative, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read. They appreciated the book's ability to evoke a sense of unease and wonder, as it explores the complexities of existence and the natural world.

Quick quotes

    The spectre of extinction hangs over the Japanese writer's brilliantly strange and unsettling vision of evolution.

    It challenges the reader's perceptions of humanity's place in the world.

    The book evokes a sense of unease and wonder, as it explores the complexities of existence and the natural world.

Appears in Lists