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e_m_f_reads's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A great book! Very fast paced and incredibly well written, I read it in one sitting. An amazing observation of people and I loved the way the main character interacts with others. I despise the male character which is the point of course. A great depiction of a personโs thoughts and, if you dig deep enough, a good criticism of capitalism too! What more can you ask for?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
aelunny's review against another edition
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
A really great book that cured my reading slump and really made me reflect. This is the sort of book that would be perfect for an English class because there are many themes throughout the book and questions that are posed and left for interpretation and while being out of school, I'm really tempted to write a few five paragraph thesis essays about this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Dysphoria, Sexism, and Infertility
sourcucumbers's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
4.75
What a wonderful and insightful gem of a book. I adore books that position "weird" women as their main characters, there's just not enough written about women who are on the outskirts of what society deems as normal. Keiko's thought processes are really fun and relatable to read through and Murata's insights on how society perceives outcasts have made me laugh and feel upset. It's a really short book, so I recommend a second read-through, as each reread is an enjoyable new reflective period for me.
My one gripe is reading through Shiraha's involvement. Although it was necessary to go through this plot point, he annoyed me to no end and I couldn't stand him. This isn't the fault of the book, but I just feel like annoying characters break me out of the immersion lol
tl;dr: it's an insightful and short read on the perils of capitalism and outcasts.
recommendation: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
tl;dr: it's an insightful and short read on the perils of capitalism and outcasts.
recommendation: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
ioanna_orf's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Misogyny
Moderate: Ableism and Bullying
Minor: Sexual harassment
annoyedhumanoid's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
unfortunately disappointing. even though it was so short, i was bored and found myself impatiently checking how much was left. i think it had a good thing going with its subversion of the marriage of convenience trope (note this is by no means a romance), but it only scratches the surface. not a fan of the translation, the prose is awkward at times and everyone's dialogue is unrealistic, though i enjoyed the narrator's voice and felt at home with her in the convenience store. the best part of this was the essay included at the very end: it was the essence of this book boiled down into its best parts, i'd recommend just reading that ๐ (https://lithub.com/sayaka-muratas-love-letter-to-a-convenience-store/)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Mental illness, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia, Cursing, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Stalking
miglena's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I haven't read a book that has made me this angry in a long time. I hated everyone other than the main female lead, Keiko Furukura. Keiko is a 36 year old woman and I wanted her to be accepted and live in peace at her beloved convenience store. It angered me when her family couldn't muster any enthusiasm for her life or what she wants. It was a pretty depressing book to be honest. I listened to this while commuting to work, and I yelled at the characters multiple times. Well done, Sayaka Murata, this made me seethe. The end came quick and I appreciated that Keiko got a happy ending for herself finally, she deserves the world. The whole time it felt like she was neuroatypical (and asexual) and the people around her never bothered to communicate authentically with her; it would've been so easy to communicate more clearly with her. Instead, they only lessened my faith in humanity. I really enjoyed the reflections on what is and isn't normal in society and how we all are a blend of the people around us, I bet I'll look back on this in the future to reflect on it.
I would punch Shiraha if I ever met him in real life. why is he spewing this caveman shit? I thought he might turn out redeemable in the end, but my hate for him just kept increasing. He disrespected Keiko so many fucking times, was mysogenistic, and never actually saw her as a human being. The cognitive dissonance on this man-child was astounding. What a piece of burning trash.
Favorite quotes:
-"at that moment, for the first time ever, I felt I'd become a part in the machine of society. I've been reborn, I thought. That day, I actually became a normal cog in society."
-"however hard I work, however dependable I am, when my body grows old, then no doubt I too will be a worn out part, ready to be replaced. No longer any use to the convenience store."
-"our society doesn't allow any foreign objects. I've always suffered because of that."
-"you eliminate the parts of your life that others find strange. Maybe that's what everyone means when they say they want to cure me."
-"I would carry my genes carefully to my grave, being sure not to rashly leave any behind. And I would dispose of them properly when I died." ๐ญ fuck all of you for making Keiko think this!
-the ending when she told shiraha that there is more meaning in being a convenience store worker than being with his dusty lowlife self ๐ loved that!
I would punch Shiraha if I ever met him in real life.
Favorite quotes:
-"at that moment, for the first time ever, I felt I'd become a part in the machine of society. I've been reborn, I thought. That day, I actually became a normal cog in society."
-"however hard I work, however dependable I am, when my body grows old, then no doubt I too will be a worn out part, ready to be replaced. No longer any use to the convenience store."
-"our society doesn't allow any foreign objects. I've always suffered because of that."
-"you eliminate the parts of your life that others find strange. Maybe that's what everyone means when they say they want to cure me."
-"I would carry my genes carefully to my grave, being sure not to rashly leave any behind. And I would dispose of them properly when I died." ๐ญ fuck all of you for making Keiko think this!
-the ending when she told shiraha that there is more meaning in being a convenience store worker than being with his dusty lowlife self ๐ loved that!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Sexual harassment and Stalking
nochnitsa's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
This book reminded me a bit of the film Parasite, probably due to the criticism of society as it's main theme. It was interesting to see such a satirical and light-hearted book end on kind of a grim note.
Although I've heard some people say that the main character might be neurodivergent (and it may well be), personally I don't really think so - I think she really is totally fictional and made for the sole purpose of showing the society in this really grotesque way. I really liked how capitalist corporate culture is being portrayed as sort of a religion. And I also loved the feminist touch of this novel, especially when the main character treats people as idiots (that they are).
All in all very refreshing and quirky, just like the cover says. It makes you feel comfortable about where you are in life but at the same time critically think about capitalist structures.
Although I've heard some people say that the main character might be neurodivergent (and it may well be), personally I don't really think so - I think she really is totally fictional and made for the sole purpose of showing the society in this really grotesque way. I really liked how capitalist corporate culture is being portrayed as sort of a religion. And I also loved the feminist touch of this novel, especially when the main character treats people as idiots (that they are).
All in all very refreshing and quirky, just like the cover says. It makes you feel comfortable about where you are in life but at the same time critically think about capitalist structures.
Content Warnings
Minor: Stalking, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
lizzy_lisko's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.25
//IF YOU'RE NEURODIVERGENT AND STRUGGLING WITH SELF WORTH DON'T READ THIS BOOK//
As a neurodivergent asexual person, the issues brought up just trying to prove that you're worth as much to society as neurotypical heterosexuals hit home like a hammer. I really wanted to like this book but it feels like the writer is ableist at the end of the day. When finished I had to practice some serious self worth exercises.
Whilst admorable that Keiko is content with her situation, she is taken advantage of and put down by everyone around her with no hint that this shouldn't be the case. She masks all day everyday and nothing is said about how emotionally and physically damaging doing this is. And no notion that 'atypical' people should have career progression equal relationships and a strong supportive network.
Normal people treat Keiko badly. It may read like they're supportive but they aren't. Nothing suggests they should try to meet Keiko where she is. Later in the book she agrees to help someone and the author keeps saying how Keiko thinks she's getting something out of it. She isn't. She's just being used.
'If you don't fit in then stay at the bottom. If you don't fit in it's all on you to fake and wear a mask' are the ultimate messages here.
As a neurodivergent asexual person, the issues brought up just trying to prove that you're worth as much to society as neurotypical heterosexuals hit home like a hammer. I really wanted to like this book but it feels like the writer is ableist at the end of the day. When finished I had to practice some serious self worth exercises.
Whilst admorable that Keiko is content with her situation, she is taken advantage of and put down by everyone around her with no hint that this shouldn't be the case. She masks all day everyday and nothing is said about how emotionally and physically damaging doing this is. And no notion that 'atypical' people should have career progression equal relationships and a strong supportive network.
Normal people treat Keiko badly. It may read like they're supportive but they aren't. Nothing suggests they should try to meet Keiko where she is. Later in the book she agrees to help someone and the author keeps saying how Keiko thinks she's getting something out of it. She isn't. She's just being used.
'If you don't fit in then stay at the bottom. If you don't fit in it's all on you to fake and wear a mask' are the ultimate messages here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
aegireads's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Animal death
cameeroo's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Stalking
Moderate: Ableism, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia, Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Animal death