Hiromi Kawakami's "Under the Eye of the Big Bird" is a speculative fiction novel that imagines humanity on the brink of extinction in a distant future. Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2025, it unfolds over geological eons through a series of interconnected vignettes. In this future, humans live in small, isolated tribes, often overseen by AI entities known as "Mothers." Kawakami explores diverse forms of humanity and reproduction, with some children created in factories from animal cells, and others sustaining themselves like plants. The novel delves into profound questions about what it means to be human, examining themes of evolution, survival, love, connection, and the intricate relationship between humanity and technology. It's a meditative and unsettling vision of a faltering world, yet it also touches upon the resilience and enduring, if flawed, nature of human beings.
About Hiromi Kawakami
Hiromi Kawakami is a celebrated Japanese author known for her unique and introspective storytelling. Born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1958, she worked as a teacher before gaining recognition as a writer. Kawakami's works often explore the subtle nuances of human relationships and everyday experiences, capturing the quiet beauty in ordinary life. Her novel 'Strange Weather in Tokyo' (published as 'The Briefcase' in the US) received critical acclaim for its evocative prose and deep emotional resonance. Kawakami's writing style is characterized by its simplicity and depth, weaving together themes of love, loneliness, and the passage of time. She has garnered a dedicated international following and continues to influence contemporary literature with her insightful narratives.
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We
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