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![コンビニ人間 [Konbini ningen] by Sayaka Murata](https://cdn.thestorygraph.com/wafd8aqgj5q8ngmujindtxp5794q)
3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A darkly funny novel about a woman who is born to be a convenience worker!
I really liked the perspective on what it means to be a "human" and society's harsh views on anything outside the norm. Keiko read extremely autistic-coded to me, using the "convenience store worker" mask to go about her everyday life. I enjoyed reading her perspective and liked her character.
There were other characters I liked a lot less, and the author did a good job of putting them up against Keiko so that their ideas were an annoyance. It made me think more about the forced "normality" in our society. I've always disliked this idea and gone my own way, but in some circumstances and cultures, this is not possible for everyone.
I genuinely hated Shiraha, although he was similar to Keiko in the regard of being an outsider, he used this to manipulate others and basically act like an incel. I found myself very frustrated when Keiko actually listened to him.
I feel like I learned a lot about Convenience Stores and Japanese culture through that novel, and I liked reading from Keiko's perspective. However, I enjoyed the second half with lots of Shiraha in it, a lot less, up until the ending, which I found fulfilling.
All in all, an amusing and dark read, for those who want to ponder on societal norms.
I really liked the perspective on what it means to be a "human" and society's harsh views on anything outside the norm. Keiko read extremely autistic-coded to me, using the "convenience store worker" mask to go about her everyday life. I enjoyed reading her perspective and liked her character.
There were other characters I liked a lot less, and the author did a good job of putting them up against Keiko so that their ideas were an annoyance. It made me think more about the forced "normality" in our society. I've always disliked this idea and gone my own way, but in some circumstances and cultures, this is not possible for everyone.
I genuinely hated Shiraha, although he was similar to Keiko in the regard of being an outsider, he used this to manipulate others and basically act like an incel. I found myself very frustrated when Keiko actually listened to him.
I feel like I learned a lot about Convenience Stores and Japanese culture through that novel, and I liked reading from Keiko's perspective. However, I enjoyed the second half with lots of Shiraha in it, a lot less, up until the ending, which I found fulfilling.
All in all, an amusing and dark read, for those who want to ponder on societal norms.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Sexism, Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal death, Stalking
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Vlot boekje. Geeft een inkijk in de Japanse samenleving & leuk dat ik mij nu ook in de omgeving kan herkennen hihi
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Kyoki is the only character I like in this book. I am so happy for her at the end she chose to do what she wanted to do. Not many people have that kind of clarity.
This book is incredibly confusing.
A friend compared it to Weike Wang’s Chemistry, but the apathetic tone of the narrator in Chemistry was always undercut by a certain degree of emotional intensity that was ultimately endearing and relatable.
Keiko, in the other hand, lacks any real personality, which makes the novella rather dry to me. I find myself truly unable to connect with her - perhaps we share very different senses of humour?
Or perhaps the fact that I am unable to connect with Keiko is meant to show how much of a “foreign object” she is when juxtaposed with the rest of society? Even her fake boyfriend whose name escapes me who regards himself as a foreign object sees her as a peculiarity, perhaps even a monstrous figure, the bigfoot of the convenience store, almost. The book itself almost feels like a parody of a rom-com, from the fake relationship to the dynamic between the bad boy love interest and responsible, “class president” Keiko. And yet, because this romcom is so devoid of humanity, it almost feels perverse, becoming as much of an oddity as Keiko herself.
Ultimately, the novella itself could be a critique of capitalism and how even someone like Keiko who defines herself by her occupation in every sense is seen as an outcast and a failure under such a dysfunctional economic structure.
Alternatively idk this book is just rly weird and the author’s a weirdo and I didn’t rly enjoy this tho my thoughts were Provoked or whatever ugh ugh waste of my time... my life.... my world? Whatever back to reading that pedophile story by that Russian Lana Del Rey stan.
A friend compared it to Weike Wang’s Chemistry, but the apathetic tone of the narrator in Chemistry was always undercut by a certain degree of emotional intensity that was ultimately endearing and relatable.
Keiko, in the other hand, lacks any real personality, which makes the novella rather dry to me. I find myself truly unable to connect with her - perhaps we share very different senses of humour?
Or perhaps the fact that I am unable to connect with Keiko is meant to show how much of a “foreign object” she is when juxtaposed with the rest of society? Even her fake boyfriend whose name escapes me who regards himself as a foreign object sees her as a peculiarity, perhaps even a monstrous figure, the bigfoot of the convenience store, almost. The book itself almost feels like a parody of a rom-com, from the fake relationship to the dynamic between the bad boy love interest and responsible, “class president” Keiko. And yet, because this romcom is so devoid of humanity, it almost feels perverse, becoming as much of an oddity as Keiko herself.
Ultimately, the novella itself could be a critique of capitalism and how even someone like Keiko who defines herself by her occupation in every sense is seen as an outcast and a failure under such a dysfunctional economic structure.
Alternatively idk this book is just rly weird and the author’s a weirdo and I didn’t rly enjoy this tho my thoughts were Provoked or whatever ugh ugh waste of my time... my life.... my world? Whatever back to reading that pedophile story by that Russian Lana Del Rey stan.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sometimes I like to mix up my reading life with something weird (and short) and this totally fit the bill. Excellent writing. Another book started in August for 'Women in Translation' month.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Okay, I’ve seen some people saying this book is like quirky and funny. And I’ve seen people saying that perception entirely misunderstands the book, and this book is tragic and devastating.
I think it’s tragic, fun, critical, and it’s hopeful. The main character is in a bad situation,where she has no one who really understands her. But also this book is so full of love that I can’t read it as a full tragedy. And the book (afaik) ends with her picking to continue doing what she loves.
The convenience store is described with such wonder and care and comfort. I mean come on the novel ends with a literal essay about the author considering the convenience store to be her significant other. In what world is this not a story about love and the joy that comes from accepting what you love. Obviously this joy doesn’t erase the struggles that she faces or the way society doesn’t accept her, but it didn’t read as a tragedy to me it read as a bittersweet mix. But that’s just my opinion!
I think it’s tragic, fun, critical, and it’s hopeful. The main character is in a bad situation,
The convenience store is described with such wonder and care and comfort. I mean come on the novel ends with a literal essay about the author considering the convenience store to be her significant other. In what world is this not a story about love and the joy that comes from accepting what you love. Obviously this joy doesn’t erase the struggles that she faces or the way society doesn’t accept her, but it didn’t read as a tragedy to me it read as a bittersweet mix. But that’s just my opinion!
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes