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dark
tense
slow-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
The shortness of it makes it a lot more bearable. If it has dragged on 400+ pages I definitely would have dnf’ed it. It was just okay nothing special, a quick read but I wouldn’t recommend it tbh.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
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: Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship
Minor: Cursing, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Misogyny
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
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:
Yes
Do you know the feeling when you finish a book and you just sit and stare in front of you, trying to process what happened? Yeah - that was the exact feeling I had when I'd read this book's last page. I think I liked this book? I just don't know what it should have taught me?
It was interesting to be able to follow the logic of someone who thinks differently than I do. I think Murata is a very skillful writer, being able to write about very serious topics in a kind of lighthearted and humoristic way. I've recently also bought 'Life Ceremony', so I look forward to reading more of her books.
Overall I think the best books stay in the back of your mind, while you mull over the meaning of the story. That's good literature and that's what Sayaka Murata did.
It was interesting to be able to follow the logic of someone who thinks differently than I do. I think Murata is a very skillful writer, being able to write about very serious topics in a kind of lighthearted and humoristic way. I've recently also bought 'Life Ceremony', so I look forward to reading more of her books.
Overall I think the best books stay in the back of your mind, while you mull over the meaning of the story. That's good literature and that's what Sayaka Murata did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed and connected to this book. I think it was an immaculate critique of capitalistic society and how a person's value is judged by what they contribute to others and how little they shake the boat. The rage Keiko felt when she was being grilled for information about her personal life, and the way everyone so shamelessly criticised her to her face about her life choices really resonated with me and stirred up all kinds of emotions. It's always such a great feeling, reading a book and knowing the author just gets you.
I didn't find Keiko weird, I related to some of her thoughts and actions like having to copy everyone around you to fit in, although I will say I have enough empathy to not eat a random dead bird or hit a kid on the head with a spade to end a fight. Reading about her thought process immediately brought the phrase "ruthless efficiency" to my mind. She navigates the world with a different set of values, and reducing pain is just not one of them. She doesn't do it out of malice, she just doesn't get why it's a big deal. All she needs is someone to explain to her what the societal rules are so she can follow them, and that's why she thrives in a convenience store. There's a manual spelling everything out for her, and that's exactly what she wants. There's nothing wrong with her, she just needs guidance and a place to belong, where she won't be judged for what she can or can't do, or any surrounding factors like her age or the clothes she wears. I hope this book made this clear for some people. I believe this should be essential reading for anyone trying to become more open minded.
I'll definitely be checking out more of Sayaka Murata's work. I can say that as simple as this book was, it really blew me away.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Violence, Stalking
Minor: Rape, Pregnancy
challenging
funny
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a short and weird - in a good way - little book about a woman named Keiko Furukara who spends 18 years working in a convenience store. I don't deem myself to have the authority to diagnose a character with anything, but from the text, it is pretty apparent that she is neurodivergent. She is constantly looked down on and lectured by people around her about being in her 30s and working a job they do not deem suitable, for not being married or having children. Keiko works at the convenience store because it is what makes sense to her, it seems to give her a genuine happiness and control over the chaos of life, and I enjoyed reading about her as a character. She was very interesting and honestly sweet, and I think that there are probably a lot of people who see part of themselves in this character.
My only criticism is that I wish there had been more of a plot, and that it had been a little longer. I feel like there is so much more that could've been explored with this character, but it ended prematurely. Other than that, I really liked it and I'm glad I read it.
Also this cover is really cute.
My only criticism is that I wish there had been more of a plot, and that it had been a little longer. I feel like there is so much more that could've been explored with this character, but it ended prematurely. Other than that, I really liked it and I'm glad I read it.
Also this cover is really cute.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Fatphobia
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence
Minor: Animal death, Rape, Sexual assault
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism
Minor: Sexual assault, Violence, Medical content, Stalking, Sexual harassment
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Eu escolhi ler esse livro pois sua descrição fala de uma mulher de 36 anos que não atendia as expectativas de sua família e sociedade. Ela estava feliz com o que tinha, mas o mundo ao seu redor a pressionava a ter ambição, fazer mais, casar, ter filhos. Assim ela se sentia inadequada porque não queria nada disso. Eu me identifiquei bastante com a situação da protagonista. Especialmente a parte de estar feliz com o que tem, mas sentir a pressão externa de família e amigos de “você tem de querer mais, fazer mais, ter mais”. Contudo, ademais da sua falta de ambição e metas maiores a protagonista também parece ter algum tipo de neurodivergência. Nunca é dito no livro que tipo de neurodivergência, porém o livro deixa claro que a personagem tem padrões de pensamento diferentes das pessoas ao seu redor. Por exemplo quando pede a sua irmã para pensar em respostas por ela, pois acredita que suas próprias respostas não são adequadas para as pessoas “normais”. O livro acompanha em um formato Slice of life a rotina de Keiko Furukara que tem um emprego de meio período na loja de conveniência Smile Mart. Durante toda a obra Furukara busca ser vista por família e amigos como “normal”, porém é confrontada com a realidade de que seu jeito e sua vida (atendente de loja de conveniência e solteira sem filhos) não se adequam ao molde do que as pessoas consideram normal. Então ela tenta constantemente copiar as formas de agir e falar das pessoas ao seu redor. Um ponto importante no livro é a introdução do personagem Shiraha, um Incel que constantemente reclama de como pessoas como ele e Furukara são expurgadas da sociedade por não se adequarem. Ironicamente, Shiraha constantemente insulta e menospreza Furukara e a sua devoção a loja de conveniência. Isso seria muito mais irritante se não fosse o fato de Furukara ser indiferente ao que Shiraha pensa sobre ela e quão irrelevante ele é para ela fora do seu objetivo, ser uma ferramenta para que ela pareça normal. A protagonista é pragmática e propõe um casamento entre ela e Shiraha para que os dois possam se encaixar no molde da sociedade. O Incel aceita, pois não só seria visto mais como homem normal, mas também para ter alguém que o sustente. No entanto Shiraha acaba por se juntar as pessoas que pressionam a protagonista a fazer mudanças e procurar um emprego melhor. O livro culmina com Furukara, enquanto caminha para uma entrevista de emprego com Shiraha, passando por uma loja de conveniência e, começando a ajudar o pessoal da loja em suas tarefas, tem o insight de que a loja de conveniência é o seu lugar, o que dá proposito a sua vida. A protagonista, de sua maneira pragmática, dispensa Shiraha dizendo que não tem mais utilidade para ele agora que decidiu o que quer fazer. Assim mostrando que não mudará para ser considerada normal. A escrita foi objetiva e expressou bem o sentimento de alienação da personagem da sociedade a seu redor. O tema é bastante pessoal para mim e gostei de como foi abordado. Gostei também de ver representação de neurodivergência e de observar um panorama da vida cotidiana de trabalhadores no Japão atual. Dou 4.25 estrelas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Misogyny, Sexism
Moderate: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book hit me hard in the feels. It’s a look at Keiko’s life trying to fit into what society deems “normal” as she grows up and works 18 years at a convenience store. She mimics the people around her to seem “normal” so that people don’t try to fix her or don’t ask her why she is weird or at a “dead end job”. Convenience store woman’s is a hard look at how we treat people who don’t fit the status quo in society, capitalism and what is expected of women in our communities.
Cw/tw
Misogyny
Bullying
Violence
Cw/tw
Misogyny
Bullying
Violence
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny
Minor: Violence, Acephobia/Arophobia
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, Toxic relationship
Minor: Rape, Violence, Murder