review under the eye of the big bird hiromi kawakami
We plunge headfirst into this science fictional tale via the thoughts of Kyle, a troubled schoolgirl.
Details are in short supply. We know that the girl is young, but have no idea where she lives or in which century. She appears to be rebellious and wants to run away, but it isn't clear why. Then she attacks a fellow student who, according to her, hates her. The scene shifts to other characters and other timelines. In this way, the novel slides across people, centuries and continents in what appears to be a chaotic manner. The narrative voice changes constantly. Some characters have names such as Rien and Noah. Others have numbers instead of names. Still others are known simply as 'mothers' and have no names.
Initially, we are told that the mothers are benign and powerful beings. Then it turns out they are not human at all. Indeed, the story is about the whole of humanity, not any particular people. The prose is textured to suggest that it may have been written by an intelligent machine, not a person. The narrative turns into a meditation upon AI (Artificial Intelligence) and the way in which we, who created it, will allow it to supplant us altogether.
Era of smart robots
Science fiction has routinely explored the theme of machines taking over. What makes this novel unusual is not the theme but the fact that it no longer feels fictional. We are living today in an era of smart robots and super computers. Siri-voices guide us through our streets. Video games have seduced millions of young children. The first phase of the takeover has actually begun.
So yes, the novel is highly effective, in a spare and dismal way. The author Hiromi Kawakami is a young Japanese woman and a rising literary star, but the robotic tone of the writing is deeply unsatisfying to read. It provides such a horrid preview of the future that one can only hope we will never get to know it.
The reviewer is an author, playwright, artist and cartoonist.
Under The Eye Of The Big Bird Hiromi Kawakami, trs Asa Yoneda Granta ₹799
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