This is the sixth novel by Li Kotomi, a Taiwanese-born author who gained recognition for her literary work, including winning the prestigious Akutagawa Prize for her fifth novel, An Island Where Red Spider Lilies Bloom. Li Kotomi stands out in the Japanese literary scene due to her explicit exploration of political themes. Her latest work envisions a speculative future set in 2075, where fetuses must give their ‘consent’ to being born. The novel centers around Ayaka, a Tokyo office worker in her late twenties, and her journey navigating this unique system, which puts significant pressure on her relationships, particularly with her partner Kaori and her estranged sister, Ayame.
In this future world, a global pandemic wiped out a third of the world’s population, leading to the implementation of laws that require fetuses to give their consent before birth. This is determined through a ‘confirmation’ procedure that occurs a month before the due date. Ayaka, in a same-sex marriage with Kaori, has a relatively harmonious relationship, but she harbors a complicated history with her older sister, Ayame, who was born before the consent system was in place. This led to unequal treatment and strained their relationship.
A semi-religious fundamentalist group called Tenaikai opposes the consent system and supports ‘natural’ birth. Kaori, influenced by her father’s opposition to the system, has her own reservations about it. However, Ayaka reassures her that society is becoming more accepting and that intolerance is fading into the past.
The novel delves into the intricate details of this futuristic society, including advanced technology used to measure the ‘difficulty of living index,’ which influences a fetus’s decision to be born. As Ayaka’s pregnancy progresses, she begins to confront her own beliefs and the societal pressures she faces.
In a pivotal moment, Ayame visits Ayaka, revealing her past affiliation with the Tenaikai organization and its extremist views against the consent system. Ayame had lost a child due to the high ‘difficulty of survival’ rating caused by a congenital defect, which led to a divorce. She urges Ayaka to bypass the confirmation procedure for her unborn child, as she believes it’s not natural. Ayaka argues in favor of the system, emphasizing the importance of morality and human rights.
As Ayaka undergoes her own confirmation procedure, she receives unexpected news – her fetus has rejected being born. This revelation shocks Ayaka and Kaori, leading to a tense and emotional dispute. Ayaka begins to explore conspiracy theories surrounding the consent process, which challenges her own beliefs.
Chapter by chapter, the story unfolds, revealing the intricate web of emotions, ideologies, and the evolving perspectives of the characters. Ayaka, influenced by her sister’s secrets and her own research into the consent system, ultimately decides not to force the birth against her child’s will. She realizes that the true value of the consent system is the celebration of a life chosen by the child, rather than fulfilling her own selfish desires.
The novel concludes with Ayaka’s newfound perspective, embracing the idea that they can genuinely celebrate life when it is chosen by the child. Despite her initial intentions, she opts not to proceed with the pregnancy, ending on a note of peculiar hope as she reflects on the lives being brought into the world with consent.
Celebrate Life is a thought-provoking and imaginative exploration of complex themes, such as free will, parenthood, and the ethical implications of a consent-based birth system. Li Kotomi’s novel challenges the reader to consider the profound consequences of a world where fetuses must agree to be born, all within the backdrop of a futuristic, technologically advanced society.