Review: Under the Eye of the Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakami
If you enjoy sci-fi or speculative fiction that’s more about ideas and emotions than action, I think you’ll love this.
Every once in a while, you come across a book that quietly stuns you not with any loud plot twists or dramatic reveals, but with quiet, unsettling ideas that settle under your skin and stay there. Under the Eye of the Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakami is exactly that kind of book.
Under the Eye of the Big Bird is a collection of interconnected short stories set far, far in the future. Humans are almost extinct. The Earth is nothing like what we know today. People live in small, scattered tribes. Some are grown in factories. Some get their food from sunlight and water, like plants. Others are created using the DNA of animals like dolphins and rabbits. It sounds wild, and it is — but it’s also thoughtful, quiet, and strangely emotional.
In this world, the rules of life and love have changed. The book doesn’t follow one main character. Instead, each story gives us a glimpse into a different life, a different part of this new world. At first, the stories seem completely unrelated and I honestly felt a bit lost in the beginning. But as I kept reading, small threads started to appear and I understood the hints that these stories are all part of a bigger picture. And by the end, it all clicked.
That’s what made this book so satisfying. You just have to let go, be patient and trust where it’s taking you.
What really stood out to me was how the book talks about big ideas without feeling heavy. It asks questions like: What does it mean to be human when everything familiar is gone? Can people still love and care for each other in a world where life is created in labs? What happens to memory, emotion, and identity when the world is falling apart and rebuilding at the same time?
Even though the stories are strange, they feel deeply human. Some parts are sad, some are hopeful and some are just plain weird. But all of them made me feel something, which is what I look for in any book.
The writing is simple and clear, but also beautiful. There’s a dream-like quality to it. I could picture every strange detail in my mind like the glowing plants, quiet villages,
children who don’t need to eat. It’s not a book full of action or twists. It’s quiet, slow, and thoughtful. But it makes sure to leave a deep impact.
I picked up this book because it was longlisted for the International Booker Prize, and I’m so glad I did. I probably wouldn’t have heard of it otherwise. If you enjoy sci-fi or speculative fiction that’s more about ideas and emotions than action, I think you’ll love this.
To be honest, I didn’t understand everything. But that didn’t take away from the experience at all. In fact, it made me want to read it again so that I’ll be able to discover more layers and hidden meanings that I missed during my first read.
Under the Eye of the Big Bird is a strange, beautiful, and unforgettable journey. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most unique books I’ve read this year, and I’ll definitely be thinking about it for a long time.
Happy Reading!
-Book Review by Anjali Anil Kumar