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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
emotional
funny
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
funny
reflective
medium-paced
This really is not your typical read. It is disturbing, lowkey depressing, weird, but also satisfying. This book screams "just because my dreams are different than yours, they're unimportant" in a very not-so-normal way.
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Freaky, odd, and bizarrely fascinating are the key feelings that came to mind when I finished this book in one sitting today.
In the past, I had tried to read it and put it on pause- not really able to get into it, but this time, I found myself being utterly fascinated by the main character and her neurodivergence and how she views the world and her job.
Honestly, especially with the adage of Murata’s essay at the end, I wonder if the author herself is not placed within the main character slightly- and I found myself thinking “Wow, she’s really freaky… I like her!”.
All in all, this was a quick, interesting read that had me asking questions and relating as a retail worker myself. How much of us is formed by the people around us, our job, our lifestyle and personality- how do we balance being uniquely true to ourselves while living in a society that wants you to conform? I think no matter how odd this read might be to some, it is valuable to all in some way or another.
As a side note… this is like the best experience I’ve had with Japanese literature so far- very keen to give her other works a try!
In the past, I had tried to read it and put it on pause- not really able to get into it, but this time, I found myself being utterly fascinated by the main character and her neurodivergence and how she views the world and her job.
Honestly, especially with the adage of Murata’s essay at the end, I wonder if the author herself is not placed within the main character slightly- and I found myself thinking “Wow, she’s really freaky… I like her!”.
All in all, this was a quick, interesting read that had me asking questions and relating as a retail worker myself. How much of us is formed by the people around us, our job, our lifestyle and personality- how do we balance being uniquely true to ourselves while living in a society that wants you to conform? I think no matter how odd this read might be to some, it is valuable to all in some way or another.
As a side note… this is like the best experience I’ve had with Japanese literature so far- very keen to give her other works a try!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
4.5 stars
i dont even know what to say but it was definitely a great read and great intro to japanese literature. a very interesting perspective. also her essay at the end rlly threw me off
i dont even know what to say but it was definitely a great read and great intro to japanese literature. a very interesting perspective. also her essay at the end rlly threw me off
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this book. It gave me a lot to think about. I was fascinated by the way the main character and her life (working part-time at a convenience story for 18 years) are so different from my own, but at the same time there are aspects of her struggles that feel very relatable to me. Definitely, as an aro-spec person, I’ve felt some of the quiet pressure or lack of understanding from friends and family that the main character experiences (as someone who is 36 and has never been interested in marriage). And it really is interesting to reflect on how other people will pick aspects of your life and project their own values onto them, making a story of their own that they can understand, when your perspective seems too different to them. The book delves into some deep issues and sometimes seems pessimistic about the way people treat each other (especially those who differ from the norm), and society as a whole. However, it was a bit uplifting to see that in the end, what matters more is how we personally feel about the life that we’re living and whether we’re satisfied with it, rather than what other people might think about it. It’s important to find a community we can be part of and make a meaningful contribution to, but it’s equally important that we do so on our own terms.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Violence
Minor: Mental illness, Acephobia/Arophobia
3.5
"El mundo normal es un lugar muy exigente donde los cuerpos extraños son eliminados en silencio"
De nuevo me encuentro con otro tema que ha sido recurrente en mi Marzo Asiático este año: cómo es la vida de una persona que no consigue adaptarse a una sociedad que no respeta lo diferente.
Keiko es una mujer que trabaja por horas en una tienda 24h. A pesar de que siempre ha tenido dificultades para integrarse en la sociedad en determinados ámbitos, en la tienda se siente cómoda y segura. Sin embargo, parece que ni sus familiares ni sus amigos terminan de entender como una mujer de su edad se "conforma" con un trabajo que normalmente eligen personas jóvenes hasta que encuentran algo mejor. Keiko es juzgada continuamente por esto, y solo parece ser aceptada por sus allegados cuando toma decisiones que se parecen más a lo que se considera normal o habitual, aunque a ella no le haga feliz o incluso sean decisiones claramente erróneas.
Así, tenemos de nuevo una crítica social a una comunidad que desprecia al diferente y que juzga sin piedad a aquellos que se atreven a salirse de la norma, aunque sean felices y no causen daño a nadie. Lo importante es encajar, no ser uno mismo. Seguir unas pautas, y no ser feliz viviendo tu propia vida.
Una historia algo particular, como su protagonista, pero con un mensaje claro y conciso: esfuérzate por encajar, o serás borrado y dejado de lado hasta por la gente que supuestamente debería quererte tal y como eres.
Muy recomendado, aunque eché de menos que fuese un poco más largo... Lo bueno es que se lee en un suspiro.
"El mundo normal es un lugar muy exigente donde los cuerpos extraños son eliminados en silencio"
De nuevo me encuentro con otro tema que ha sido recurrente en mi Marzo Asiático este año: cómo es la vida de una persona que no consigue adaptarse a una sociedad que no respeta lo diferente.
Keiko es una mujer que trabaja por horas en una tienda 24h. A pesar de que siempre ha tenido dificultades para integrarse en la sociedad en determinados ámbitos, en la tienda se siente cómoda y segura. Sin embargo, parece que ni sus familiares ni sus amigos terminan de entender como una mujer de su edad se "conforma" con un trabajo que normalmente eligen personas jóvenes hasta que encuentran algo mejor. Keiko es juzgada continuamente por esto, y solo parece ser aceptada por sus allegados cuando toma decisiones que se parecen más a lo que se considera normal o habitual, aunque a ella no le haga feliz o incluso sean decisiones claramente erróneas.
Así, tenemos de nuevo una crítica social a una comunidad que desprecia al diferente y que juzga sin piedad a aquellos que se atreven a salirse de la norma, aunque sean felices y no causen daño a nadie. Lo importante es encajar, no ser uno mismo. Seguir unas pautas, y no ser feliz viviendo tu propia vida.
Una historia algo particular, como su protagonista, pero con un mensaje claro y conciso: esfuérzate por encajar, o serás borrado y dejado de lado hasta por la gente que supuestamente debería quererte tal y como eres.
Muy recomendado, aunque eché de menos que fuese un poco más largo... Lo bueno es que se lee en un suspiro.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes