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mayaism_01's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Such an interesting representation of how someone with a disability or who is just generally seen as 'different' can be shunned by society - I think this would especially resonate with neurodivergent folks. It's bizarre seeing how the idea of being 'normal' is so ingrained in the way we interact with other people, a 'normal' way to react in conversation, a 'normal' way to progress in your life, and a 'normal' way to achieve success or happiness. Keiko is satisfied and happy with her life, she doesn't need to change but everyone around her butting in to tell her how to be 'normal' is what makes her life difficult.
I also enjoyed the introduction of Shiraha as a foil to Keiko, while Keiko is happy with her life and doesn't understand why everyone wants her to be 'normal', Shiraha desperately wants to be 'normal' but feels so far from it that he warps his desperation to hatred and resentment of anyone and everyone he perceives benefits from the way society is structured. Though both characters could be categorized as 'different', why they choose to live the way they do are incredibly different.
The autistic/neurodivergent rep in this is really special and the way Murata injects witty humor and uses an absurdist tone makes the writing both intelligent and genuinely funny. I think this story will really stick with me for the way Keiko represents a version of myself I aspire to be, Keiko doesn't fit in and she doesn't want to!
And here's a quote that really stuck with me:
“She’s far happier thinking her sister is normal, even if she has a lot of problems, than she is having an abnormal sister for whom everything is fine.”
I also enjoyed the introduction of Shiraha as a foil to Keiko, while Keiko is happy with her life and doesn't understand why everyone wants her to be 'normal', Shiraha desperately wants to be 'normal' but feels so far from it that he warps his desperation to hatred and resentment of anyone and everyone he perceives benefits from the way society is structured. Though both characters could be categorized as 'different', why they choose to live the way they do are incredibly different.
The autistic/neurodivergent rep in this is really special and the way Murata injects witty humor and uses an absurdist tone makes the writing both intelligent and genuinely funny. I think this story will really stick with me for the way Keiko represents a version of myself I aspire to be, Keiko doesn't fit in and she doesn't want to!
And here's a quote that really stuck with me:
“She’s far happier thinking her sister is normal, even if she has a lot of problems, than she is having an abnormal sister for whom everything is fine.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Toxic relationship, Sexism, and Misogyny
Minor: Stalking and Sexual harassment
francescasoph's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic relationship, Stalking, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Ableism, Rape, and Sexual harassment
nrogers_1030's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.25
Convenience Store Woman gives me Eleanor Oliphant vibes. Funny, awkward and a good quick read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Mental illness, Dysphoria, Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Pregnancy, Animal death, Sexual harassment, and Stalking
bashsbooks's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book is quirky and charming. I respect that Keiko just has no ability to be normalTM (whatever that even means) and her dedication to her routine and the one thing she likes. But god, Shiraha is insufferable and sometimes reading his bullshit commentary was so grating. And everyone pressuring and bullying Keiko was grating. It seems like that was part of the point, but at times it was difficult to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Ableism, Bullying, Classism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Stalking
Minor: Animal death
maladaptivedaydreamer's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
benediction's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Stalking, Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Death, Bullying, and Ableism
hue's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual harassment
c_serpent's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was weird. The Guardian calls it "sublimely weird," which feels right. Everyone in it was wild and slightly uncomfortable, which kind of makes sense because the main character has a hard time fitting in because of her alexithymia.
It was very well written. It is also very short, clocking in around 3 hours of an audiobook or 196 pages. I would consider it a novella, but then, I'm a huge nerd.
The shortness doesn't take away from the story—it's as long as it should be. I do wonder if it could have been a short story, but in a world of speculations, who knows which are more valid than others?
Also I want triangle kimbap now, very badly.
Three stars have been awarded because it is an interesting perspective/point of view. One star is awarded because it is a translated novel and I like those. But that last star has been thrown into the throat of Shiraha, who needs to be killed violently and without mercy.
Total score: 4/5 stars
It was very well written. It is also very short, clocking in around 3 hours of an audiobook or 196 pages. I would consider it a novella, but then, I'm a huge nerd.
The shortness doesn't take away from the story—it's as long as it should be. I do wonder if it could have been a short story, but in a world of speculations, who knows which are more valid than others?
Also I want triangle kimbap now, very badly.
Three stars have been awarded because it is an interesting perspective/point of view. One star is awarded because it is a translated novel and I like those. But that last star has been thrown into the throat of Shiraha, who needs to be killed violently and without mercy.
Total score: 4/5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
dosxhime's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm relating too much to Keiko, and that scares me omfggggg.
The prose of this novel is amazing and conveys Keiko's thought process well. I (kinda) understand the reflection the author was getting at and honestly, it gave me a bit of anxiety. In a good way, of course.
The ending made me laugh because wow Keiko can't resist who she is at all.
4/5 B-
The prose of this novel is amazing and conveys Keiko's thought process well. I (kinda) understand the reflection the author was getting at and honestly, it gave me a bit of anxiety. In a good way, of course.
The ending made me laugh because wow Keiko can't resist who she is at all.
4/5 B-
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking, Violence, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
Minor: Rape
rionstorm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. The main character is heavily autistic coded, and absolutely charming. I adored her from the very start.
I really enjoyed her matter of fact narration, and the loving attention she put into describing different aspects of the convenience store.
I loved the ending too, it was so satisfying and nice to see her follow her own wants and let go of neurotypical societal demands and expectations placed on her which she neither agreed with or cared about.
Definitely reccomend :)
I really enjoyed her matter of fact narration, and the loving attention she put into describing different aspects of the convenience store.
I loved the ending too,
Definitely reccomend :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Misogyny
Minor: Violence, Sexual harassment, and Stalking