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challenging
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
[minor/vague spoilers ahead but it's not a plot-heavy book]
I have mixed feelings about this as although I enjoyed it, I really wish it had gone in a direction where Keiko could have found labels for her differences (such as autism, or even just neurodivergence, and aromanticism/asexuality), other than seeing herself as a creature made to work in a convenience store. She then could possibly have found others like herself and potential support for her future (there was never really a resolution to her concerns about what happens when her body can't keep up with convenience store life anymore). I guess it's just not the route the author wanted to go down but I feel like it could have said more about the lack of representation and acceptance for people with these differences, rather than focussing on societal expectations – it seems the author wanted to straddle the line between a story about capitalism and shallow societal norms, and one about the life of an undiagnosed neurodivergent and aro-ace adult who has never met anyone like herself (and as an aside, Keiko definitely wants this, as shown by her disappointment in how the store manager suddenly became "a human male" after he started recognising her as a "normal" person). As someone for whom these latter issues are very important already, I don't know how much these would have come across to a reader who is not familiar with them. I worry that people might read it and just think that Keiko is weird and that's that – at least Eleanor Oliphant had a "rational" reason for her difference whereas Keiko just concludes that she isn't human, which isn't great representation for neurodivergent and aro-ace people. So maybe it's best that she wasn't given those labels! Neurodivergent people are too often wielded as quirky and convenient tools for pointing out how weird society is, for better or for worse. On the plus side, Keiko is very self aware and comfortable with her differences, and it's only the attitude of the people around her that make her doubt herself. Overall, I enjoyed the book and it gave me lots to think about (as demonstrated by this rambling review) but it also left me feeling a bit disappointed/uncomfortable.
I have mixed feelings about this as although I enjoyed it, I really wish it had gone in a direction where Keiko could have found labels for her differences (such as autism, or even just neurodivergence, and aromanticism/asexuality), other than seeing herself as a creature made to work in a convenience store. She then could possibly have found others like herself and potential support for her future (there was never really a resolution to her concerns about what happens when her body can't keep up with convenience store life anymore). I guess it's just not the route the author wanted to go down but I feel like it could have said more about the lack of representation and acceptance for people with these differences, rather than focussing on societal expectations – it seems the author wanted to straddle the line between a story about capitalism and shallow societal norms, and one about the life of an undiagnosed neurodivergent and aro-ace adult who has never met anyone like herself (and as an aside, Keiko definitely wants this, as shown by her disappointment in how the store manager suddenly became "a human male" after he started recognising her as a "normal" person). As someone for whom these latter issues are very important already, I don't know how much these would have come across to a reader who is not familiar with them. I worry that people might read it and just think that Keiko is weird and that's that – at least Eleanor Oliphant had a "rational" reason for her difference whereas Keiko just concludes that she isn't human, which isn't great representation for neurodivergent and aro-ace people. So maybe it's best that she wasn't given those labels! Neurodivergent people are too often wielded as quirky and convenient tools for pointing out how weird society is, for better or for worse. On the plus side, Keiko is very self aware and comfortable with her differences, and it's only the attitude of the people around her that make her doubt herself. Overall, I enjoyed the book and it gave me lots to think about (as demonstrated by this rambling review) but it also left me feeling a bit disappointed/uncomfortable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Ableism, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Sexism
Minor: Chronic illness, Infidelity, Stalking
The main character is persistently treated as "wrong" and in need of a cure because she displays autistic traits and is aro/ace.
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
I found this book very mediocre, although I was unsure on what to expect. Most people on Instagram love this book, but I knew it was going to be weird in some way due to the reviews on the back, so I went in open-minded.
I think what I liked about it was Keiko's defiance of societies expectations of her. I liked how she didn't really have any explanations to the way she lived (and wanted to continue to live) but how she just knew that was the way she wanted to exist. Her subtle and unconscious defiance was what I loved most about her character. However, I did just find that the book wasn't massively engaging enough for me, but I weirdly think it worked well and the author did come up with an interesting premise.
I think what I liked about it was Keiko's defiance of societies expectations of her. I liked how she didn't really have any explanations to the way she lived (and wanted to continue to live) but how she just knew that was the way she wanted to exist. Her subtle and unconscious defiance was what I loved most about her character. However, I did just find that the book wasn't massively engaging enough for me, but I weirdly think it worked well and the author did come up with an interesting premise.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism
Moderate: Gaslighting, Toxic friendship
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Gaslighting
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Classism
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting
Minor: Stalking
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Classism
Minor: Stalking
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:
Complicated
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: Animal death, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria
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
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