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challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
an incisive critism of social conformity and ridiculous--yet widely accepted and normalized--societal expectations through the eye of a seemingly "odd" main female character. i greatly enjoyed the close look into the surprisingly exciting machinations and precise strategy of a convenience store's, and the inner workings of its staff's lives. the author def made her points through a number of characters, including the highly unlikable incel who i wanted to throttle.
however, there were a couple things i wish were explained more. how come keiko's still at the bottom of the totem pole despite having been a hard worker at the store for nearly 2 decades? it's baffling that she hasnt been promoted in some way. also, why did she let go of the job so easily near the end? she practically existed for it, surely it wouldve taken more than a parasitic dude she barely knew to convince her to quit? if there were other factors at play, they should've been mentioned more clearly. nevertheless, i enjoyed convenience store woman overall, esp for its critical examination of societal expectations.
however, there were a couple things i wish were explained more. how come keiko's still at the bottom of the totem pole despite having been a hard worker at the store for nearly 2 decades? it's baffling that she hasnt been promoted in some way. also, why did she let go of the job so easily near the end? she practically existed for it, surely it wouldve taken more than a parasitic dude she barely knew to convince her to quit? if there were other factors at play, they should've been mentioned more clearly. nevertheless, i enjoyed convenience store woman overall, esp for its critical examination of societal expectations.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Gaslighting
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Stalking
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:
Complicated
Made me feel an emotion I can't describe. Wasn't enjoyable because it felt like a page of myself was being displayed publicly for everyone to read. I recommend picking it up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Body shaming, Emotional abuse
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
sad
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting
Moderate: Body shaming, Sexism
Minor: Animal death, Stalking
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
really reflective of our society and how we are just cogs in the society being told what to do everyday, but somehow we can all find comfort in our cogs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Stalking
Moderate: Sexual assault
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Suicide
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Stalking
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:
Complicated
//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, Misogyny, Sexism, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
From my first impression of this novel, all I can say is that this was a deeply unsettling read for me.
Maybe it was the absence of the outcome I hoped for, the boxed in characters that all seem trapped in time or even the lack of healing within the storylines presented. I can't say for sure. But what I do know is that I'm glad I have this novel a try.
It may not have lived up to it's outstanding reviews (in my eyes), but it's as real as you can expect from something tackling these sorts of societal issues.
Definitely a read that leaves much for you to reflect on.
Maybe it was the absence of the outcome I hoped for, the boxed in characters that all seem trapped in time or even the lack of healing within the storylines presented. I can't say for sure. But what I do know is that I'm glad I have this novel a try.
It may not have lived up to it's outstanding reviews (in my eyes), but it's as real as you can expect from something tackling these sorts of societal issues.
Definitely a read that leaves much for you to reflect on.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Stalking
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, Sexism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship
Minor: Stalking
reflective
medium-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
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Information 2021:
Listened to the audiobook from Storytel
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Review 2021:
Enjoyed this a lot! One of the characters was really annoying, so therefore not 5 stars, but great nonetheless.
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Review previously placed on my blog 2021:
Review previously placed on my blog 2021:
I have read Convenience store woman by Sayaka Murata. I listened to the audiobook.
At first I thought this was going to be a 5 star read and maybe a favorite. I could really identify with the main character and just thought all the things that were talked about in the book were very good. But then there came a character I utterly disliked and that made that part hard to read. Didn't enjoy that. Nonetheless a very good book. I gave it 4 stars.
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Information 2024:
- Storytel audiobook
- Second read
- Book club: Passant
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Review 2024:
Still with my most hated character ever
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Review previously placed on my blog 2024:
Review previously placed on my blog 2024:
I have read Convenience store woman by Sayaka Murata. I listened to the audiobook. This was my second time reading this book. I read this book for my in real life book club. This is an adult contemporary book.
I liked this as much as the first time I read it. The concept is amazing and I really love the main character. What makes this less good for me is a certain character. I absolutely hate him. He is probably my most hated character ever. For me that makes the book somewhat less enjoyable. But overall I highly recommend it.
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Stalking