Swallows

In Natsuo Kirino's highly anticipated novel, a young woman named Riki navigates the precarious life of a temp in Tokyo, leading her to consider surrogacy as a way to escape her financial struggles. Paired with a desperate couple, former ballet star Motoi and his wife Yuko, the situation becomes complicated as societal opinions clash around motherhood, self-worth, and bodily autonomy. With sharp wit and psychological depth, "Swallows" explores the murky waters of desire and the complex implications of using a woman's body in a commodified world, challenging perceptions of control and happiness.