Scan barcode
leoniefnk's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Three-fourths through the book, I almost wanted to give up, but I'm glad I didn't.
This book felt like a modern Camus and Kafka but with a different culture, a woman's voice, and a hopeful twist. The book doesn't make you feel good, but it's not supposed to; it's supposed to make the reader feel as uncomfortable as those who don't fit into the cookie-cutter designs of society feel every day.
Personally, as someone who grew up in Japan, the serenade to the combini made me feel both homesick and right at home. Finally, above all, this book makes peace with the pure lack of grandeur normal life has and offers a way of thinking about one's purpose as something innate and pure (even if it isn't extremely heroic or exciting).
This book felt like a modern Camus and Kafka but with a different culture, a woman's voice, and a hopeful twist. The book doesn't make you feel good, but it's not supposed to; it's supposed to make the reader feel as uncomfortable as those who don't fit into the cookie-cutter designs of society feel every day.
Personally, as someone who grew up in Japan, the serenade to the combini made me feel both homesick and right at home. Finally, above all, this book makes peace with the pure lack of grandeur normal life has and offers a way of thinking about one's purpose as something innate and pure (even if it isn't extremely heroic or exciting).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Body shaming and Bullying
flamesocks's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Sexism, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
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
bexi's review against another edition
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Body shaming and Toxic relationship
alexrinehart's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Body shaming
thesaltiestlibrarian's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Sexism
Minor: Body shaming
resi_reads's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really enjoyed the first half of the book. Sayaka Murata successfully captured the essence of convenience stores. As soon as Shiraha entered the story, it completely changed. According to me his character has only one function in the book 'society hasnt changed since prehistoric times'. Apart from that it was almost a nuisance to read whatever he had to add to the story, being selfish, sexist and emotionally abusive.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Sexism, and Emotional abuse
I would have
More...