Under the Eye of the Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakami: A Review

…it had become impossible for human beings to trust ourselves. Our history was full of enough contradictions to destroy any sense of self-belief. As a species we were like an octopus trying to survive by eating it’s own limbs. And while we all saw the fatal error we were making, no one stepped forward with a decisive solution. Some tried, but their efforts had done as much good as a dropperful of water in the ocean. - Kawakami

Over the past couple of years, I have been paying attention to the Booker Prizes. I did so partly because I wanted to branch out in my reading and thought this was a relevant place to start. I have also put the utmost trust in YouTube's resident librarian, Jack Edwards, who has raved about novels from the Booker Prize lists.

What better place to start than with the International Prize shortlist for 2025? I ran to the bookstore, purchased the books they had in stock, and immediately dove in. The first book I chose to start with was Under the Eye of the Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakami, translated by Asa Yoneda; I've heard nothing but praise for her writing.

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One thing I appreciate about the Book Prize is that they provide a reading guide for each novel, giving readers a starting point for analysis that aids in our better understanding. Novels that have been selected are often complex and multi-faceted, so having a little help is much needed. I have found that trying to contain myself to a specific process of reviewing a book is tiring, and I am by no means a professional, but sharing my responses to these questions will suffice!

1. Q: Under the Eye of the Big Bird is composed of 14 stories that initially appear distinct, but gradually mosaic into a larger whole. How did this fragmented structure shape your understanding of the book's overarching narrative? And would you say it's correct to describe it as a novel?

A: My mind naturally wants to create a thorough timeline, especially for a story like this that travels through different periods of time. With that said, I had begun trying to put each chapter in chronological order; suffice to say, it didn't feel right. Although these stories are distinct in a way, they are also very fluid, and there is a flow to Kawakami's handling of this story that makes that process difficult. Letting each story drift into the next felt more natural, throwing chronological order to the wind. This fragmented structure had several functions for me: to indicate the passing of time, but also to show interconnectedness. Fragmentation and interconnectedness side by side don't appear to make much sense, do they? It's a feeling that is hard to describe, as I will perceive the writing differently than you, and so on. It is easy to let yourself get a little lost in each story, but there are clever connections made throughout the novel that keep you rooted to one narrative. By definition, Under the Eye of the Big Bird is a novel that represents characters and a plot that has some element of realism to it. We have different perspectives that have culminated over generations, each with a distinct voice but contributing to a central idea.

2. Q: While set in the future, the plot is non-linear and offers glimpses of a timeline that spans generations and centuries. How does this format affect your perception of time within the book? Why might Hiromi Kawakami have chosen to withhold or distort chronology?

A: I found Kawakami's use of time in this book unique. The distortion muddled my perception of time, but organizing the novel this way also felt right. The idea of a far-flung future with children being produced using technology and overseen by AI is experimental, as is the layout of each story. It feels like a tapestry of squares, each square is a story that serves its purpose, but comes into the collective to support the overarching narrative. Each chapter feels distinct, and towards the beginning, the connection isn't clear, but Kawakami's writing takes shape as you continue.

3. Q: The Mothers – the AI figures overseeing reproduction, raising children, and maintaining humanity's evolution – are central to the book. How might Under the Eye of the Big Bird be read through a feminist lens, and what is it saying about the role of women in shaping societal systems?

A: This process can feel natural only if women lead the charge. Women's roles in shaping children's lives and nudging humanity in the right direction with a tactful hand are vital. It's also important to acknowledge the presence of the Great Mother, who, for most of the book, is shrouded in some mystery as to precisely who or what she is. How she is described and how Rein interacts with her in such a deep-rooted way make the Mothers seem almost godlike. I also want to note that making the mothers AI and lacking genuine emotions, aside from the Great Mother, is ironic. In present-day society, women are deemed too emotional, too soft to lead or to warrant further consideration for matters of the highest importance. It is interesting to see the commentary Kawakami is making on our society, even if it isn't obvious.

4. Q: 'You're a very human human,' a Mother tells one character. 'You create things, and you destroy more than you create.' How does Under the Eye of the Big Bird challenge or complicate our understanding of what it means to be human? What message might the author be trying to impart on the reader?

A: What it means to be human, the nature of well…human nature is already a complicated concept to grapple with. You could ask ten different people this question and get ten different answers, maybe similar in some respects but tinged with a unique take on life. From the discussion questions I pulled from the Booker Prize's website, this is one of my favorites because I think the answers could be endless. What it means to be human is such a loaded question, but I believe Kawakami handles it well, with varying answers to this question depending on whose point of view we're reading from. As I've mentioned, how society functions in this novel is experimental. Can humans figure it out this time? Can we figure it out technologically? Or perhaps biologically, plant or clone? Humanity is complex, beautiful, yet terrifying. No one answer fits all, no one process will work 100% of the time until humanity ceases to exist. This is why I believe Under the Eye of the Big Bird is one of the most relevant works of speculative fiction for us at present, but also as we walk into the future of unknowns.

4. Q: The final story reframes much of what comes before, giving the book a sense of circularity. Did you interpret the book's ending as offering hope, or does it suggest that humanity is trapped in a cycle of failure?

A: For me, it ends with a hint of both. On one hand, you have the hope of starting again with the community Eli has created. She seems pure of heart and has an instinct to appreciate and preserve life. The narrative points towards moving forward, starting over, and doing it right. However, I also believe historical and geological events are cyclical in nature; there is a pattern, even if only subtle. We only see a small slice of the future Eli has put into motion, so who's to say? The beauty of a novel like this is that it sends your mind down several paths and brings about complex conversations.

Under the Eye of the Big Bird is a fantastic novel that I've thought about every day since finishing it. It's full of the beautiful, the inevitable—or maybe not so inevitable—and the truly terrifying reality of what humanity could be.

Till next time,

Sources:

• Kawakami, Hiromi, and Asa Yoneda. Under the Eye of the Big Bird: A Novel. Granta Books, 2025.

• “Reading Guide: Under the Eye of the Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakami, Translated by Asa Yoneda.” The Booker Prizes, The Booker Prizes, thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/features/reading-guide-under-the-eye-of-the-big-bird-by-hiromi-kawakami-translated-by-asa-yoneda. Accessed 2 May 2025.

• “Under the Eye of the Big Bird: The Booker Prizes.” Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2025 | The Booker Prizes, The Booker Prizes, thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/books/under-the-eye-of-the-big-bird. Accessed 2 May 2025.