みずうみの満ちるまで
In a future ravaged by climate change and war, the wealthy have uploaded their minds to virtual spaces to live forever, while others choose to donate all their assets to future generations and accept death. At the paradise facility "Heavens Garden," where the desired endings of its guests are arranged, Elm, a former refugee working as a coordinator, confronts people with differing views on life and death, and continues to question the mistakes of humanity and the meaning of living. Winner of the 13th Hayakawa SF Contest Special Award.
Work Information
A quiet SF tale depicting people struggling to face the wounds left by humanity on an Earth irreparably damaged by global warming and war.
In the near future where climate change and war have devastated the Earth, the wealthy have gained eternal life through mind-uploading technology. Meanwhile, there exists a facility called Heavens Garden for those who choose to donate all their assets to future generations and accept their own death. Elm, a former refugee working as a coordinator at the facility, confronts people holding diverse views on life and death. This SF novel quietly depicts people struggling on an Earth irreparably scarred by humanity's mistakes.
Review Summaries
-
Highly praised as a story that questions each person's own philosophy of life and death. Selecting committee member Kazumi Ogawa recommended it for the grand prize, stating he was amazed by the lingering mystery it left behind. The work is characterized by having no pre-determined answers, depicting complex questions around economic inequality and choices about death, and the ethics of humanitarian assistance.
-
While some praise the beautiful prose style and the completeness of the world-building, opinions on the ending are divided between those who find it unsatisfying and those who appreciate the lingering aftertaste. The depth of themes including choices about life and death, environmental issues, and class inequality are appreciated, making it a work of mixed opinion.
Book Information
- Publisher
- 早川書房
- Published
- 2026-01-21
- Pages
- 320 pages
- Language
- 日本語
- Size
- 13.1 x 1.8 x 18.8 cm
- ISBN-13
- 9784152104922
- ISBN-10
- 4152104929
- Price
- 2750 JPY
- Category
- 本/文学・評論
第13回ハヤカワSFコンテスト特別賞受賞作 温暖化と戦争の果て、壊れゆく星。 絶望の先に生まれた庭で、受け渡されてゆく命の物語。 気候変動と戦争に荒れた未来。 生を脅かされる難民が地表に溢れる一方、富裕層は仮想空間に移住し永遠の生を得ていた。 しかし、次世代のために全財産を寄付し死を選ぶ者もいる。 〈ヘヴンズ・ガーデン〉は、彼らに理想的な最期の時間を提供し、その遺産を難民保護に充てる施設だ。 コーディネーターとして寄付者の〈旅立ち〉に寄り添う元難民のエルムは、地球を壊してしまった過去を引き受けようとする寄付者のローズやリゲル、ガーデンを訪れた元難民のリンクス、施設の創設者「三毛猫」との日々を通じ、自らの過去、そして生きる意味に向き合うこととなる。 人類の残した傷跡を見つめ、失われゆく世界に寄り添う静謐なSF譚。
土形亜理（Ari Tsuchigata） 1980年生まれ。埼玉県出身。2025年、『みずうみの満ちるまで』で第13回ハヤカワSFコンテスト特別賞を受賞し、デビュー。
Reviews
-
荒廃した未来からのメッセージ
情景描写がとても巧みで美しく、また登場人物の心理描写もリアル。 SFであり、哲学的であり、そしてメッセージ性のある物語。 管理人三毛猫の苦悩や葛藤は、この現代社会で、紛争や飢餓に向き合い医療、教育、食糧支援や難民支援などで活動する人々の苦悩、怒り、やりきれなさにも通じるものがあると思う。 気候変動、科学技術への安全神話、分断、紛争、飢餓、それらを見て見ぬふりして自分の半径１００ｍの安全安心に満足して生きているこの時代の人々への未来の若者からの怒り、そして何もできなかった、何もしなかった、現代人の後悔、後ろめたさを感じさせる物語。
Related Literary Awards
- Hayakawa SF Contest Edition 13 (2025) ・special award