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elliot_iguess's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Sexism, and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual harassment
One of the characters is an incel.starryybella's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I originally came across this book when I was looking for new books during "Women in Translation" Month in August. It had a really cute cover that attracted me and being that I came across it on TikTok and had it recommended to me by a close friend, I had to buy it.
The book, to briefly summarize, is about 36-year-old Keiko Furukawa, a woman who has worked at the Hiiromachi Station Smile Mart as a part-timer for 18 years. Always an outcast since she was young, she finally found a place to fit in. Through the store manual, she finally finds a way to conform to her peers. However, it seems like everyone else arounds her doesn't approve of this job where she's finally fitting in and where she's happy that she has some sense of purpose. She's never been in a relationship or had sex before and it doesn't faze her at all. People think she should have grown out of the job she has. There's some part about Keiko that needs "fixing", since she isn't married by now and has never had a job beyond this convenience store. But it shouldn't matter if she's content with it, right?
Now, to my opinions - I made a specific annotation about my book about the times I suspected Keiko is neurodivergent. As a neurodivergent person, there were behaviors that some of my neurodivergent friends have also described them having when they were younger.
Then again, this isn't confirmed. Call it a "headcanon" of mine.
However, it does seem canon, and a recurring topic with the author, that Keiko is asexual and has no desire for sex.
It's also, to my surprise, loosely based on the author's 18-year tenure through several convenience stores. Murata said in an interview with the New York Times, “For me, when I was working as a college student, I was a very shy girl. But at the stores, I was instructed to raise my voice and talk in a loud friendly voice, so I became that kind of active and lively person in that circumstance.”
One of the most strange, funny, endearing, and yet profound books I've ever read, "Convenience Store Woman" made its way into my heart, making a bold statement about society's expectations about single people, society's aversion from asexuality, and the embrace of the odd.
The book, to briefly summarize, is about 36-year-old Keiko Furukawa, a woman who has worked at the Hiiromachi Station Smile Mart as a part-timer for 18 years. Always an outcast since she was young, she finally found a place to fit in. Through the store manual, she finally finds a way to conform to her peers. However, it seems like everyone else arounds her doesn't approve of this job where she's finally fitting in and where she's happy that she has some sense of purpose. She's never been in a relationship or had sex before and it doesn't faze her at all. People think she should have grown out of the job she has. There's some part about Keiko that needs "fixing", since she isn't married by now and has never had a job beyond this convenience store. But it shouldn't matter if she's content with it, right?
Now, to my opinions - I made a specific annotation about my book about the times I suspected Keiko is neurodivergent. As a neurodivergent person, there were behaviors that some of my neurodivergent friends have also described them having when they were younger.
Then again, this isn't confirmed. Call it a "headcanon" of mine.
However, it does seem canon, and a recurring topic with the author, that Keiko is asexual and has no desire for sex.
It's also, to my surprise, loosely based on the author's 18-year tenure through several convenience stores. Murata said in an interview with the New York Times, “For me, when I was working as a college student, I was a very shy girl. But at the stores, I was instructed to raise my voice and talk in a loud friendly voice, so I became that kind of active and lively person in that circumstance.”
One of the most strange, funny, endearing, and yet profound books I've ever read, "Convenience Store Woman" made its way into my heart, making a bold statement about society's expectations about single people, society's aversion from asexuality, and the embrace of the odd.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Ableism, and Sexism
Moderate: Stalking and Sexual harassment
Minor: Violence
james1star's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I did really enjoy this book and would definitely recommend it - great for something quick, weird and easy to get through. I read this after a very mind-aching book that took what seemed like forever to get through so I greatly appreciated it’s swiftness.
The plot was okay I think, there were some things I didn’t really like or found that logical but it did follow and was both realistic and intriguing. We are basically following Keiko who is a self proclaimed ‘convenience store worker’ and struggles to fit into society’s idea of ‘normal’ - she discusses this questioning of what is normal, why isn’t she, how can she be fixed and other very relatable questions. She was definitely quite weird and odd in a sense but on the whole likeable and you do want what’s best for her and I really just wanted her to be free of judgment. Most of the other characters were pretty meh, Shiraha being especially unlikable with a victim/pick-me aurora, I did understand his reasoning slightly but overall didn’t like him. The book also gives a good insight into a way of thinking we don’t also consider about society how ‘un-normal’ people are othered and pushed away and how we are all striving to be ‘normal’ whatever that is.
Great little book. Weird and witty, definitely intoxicated making you want - dare I say need - to read on and Yhh… I very much enjoyed it. Not my favourite but a solid 4-4.25 ⭐️ read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Misogyny
Minor: Stalking and Sexual harassment
fujo_cat's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Oh wow, this was so enjoyable!! Honestly, she gave me so many autistic vibes (or neurodivergent, but I find them to be more specific to autistic fellas, as one myself) and that's why I felt relating so much to her :D
On the other hand, I would have dropped Shihara's (is that his name? I was listening to the audiobook) sorry ass much sooner, oof.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Cursing, and Violence
venus_rose's review against another edition
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Rape, Body shaming, Sexism, Stalking, Animal death, Child death, and Sexual harassment
konfx's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Domestic abuse
Minor: Sexual harassment
onestephatatime's review against another edition
dark
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? It's complicated
4.75
Everything about this book was amazing. I would have given this a full 5 stars if it weren’t for Shiraha, who felt like an annoying, unwelcome presence (which I believe was the point) every time he appeared.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Ableism, Stalking, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
inamerata's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.0
A brisk, interesting read. Murata's snappy, declarative writing does a good job of portraying the characters and their world.
I'm surprised at how often I see this described as particularly funny or quirky, though. Keiko is simply an extremely direct person, out of step with the norms around her, and who is happiest when given explicit instructions on how to behave. This makes her excel at work and flounder in most other social situations. Her main arc is deciding if she should change her external behavior as she ages or not. There's not much cause to laugh or gawk. It's a small, interior story that doesn't really challenge or condemn society so much as subvert it with how Keiko mentally engages with her role in it.
I'm surprised at how often I see this described as particularly funny or quirky, though. Keiko is simply an extremely direct person, out of step with the norms around her, and who is happiest when given explicit instructions on how to behave. This makes her excel at work and flounder in most other social situations. Her main arc is deciding if she should change her external behavior as she ages or not. There's not much cause to laugh or gawk. It's a small, interior story that doesn't really challenge or condemn society so much as subvert it with how Keiko mentally engages with her role in it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Ableism
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Toxic relationship
nakai's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Stalking
the_reading_wren's review against another edition
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual harassment, Medical content, Sexual assault, Stalking, and Violence