Reviews with content warning for Toxic friendship - Convenience Store Woman

Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

76 reviews

irammy's review against another edition

4.0

funny hopeful 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: Yes

I thoroughly enjoyed this quirky little book. Keiko Furukura may be different, but she learns to accept her own instincts and purpose in life despite the pressure from society to confirm. It's an interesting commentary on the strangeness of what society considers normal and unwillingness to accept people who are happily different. It also gave me a newfound respect for konbini workers!

Content Warnings

e_riahh's review against another edition

3.75

reflective tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

bookedbymadeline's review against another edition

4.0

lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Loveable characters: Complicated

I loved reading about the store and Keiko’s inner thoughts! I really related to a lot of the things she brings up about what is “normal” and changing her tone/expressions based on the people around her. It’s very similar to how I feel as a late diagnosed autistic woman so I marked a few pages that struck me!

I hated Shiraha, he was so irritating with his sexist incel commentary 😡 I wanted less of him and more of Keiko interacting with customers and going about her daily routine! This was a quick, easy read that offers some great commentary on society expectations and forced conformity.

There could be moments that were repetitive or too telling over showing plus I wanted more from Keiko so for that reason it’s only a 4 star read for me!

Content Warnings

sarahb919's review against another edition

4.0

funny lighthearted 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

MC is autistic AF! She just wants the order, routine, and ritual that the store give her but everyone has to make a big deal about it!

Content Warnings

kat_a's review against another edition

4.0

emotional lighthearted reflective slow-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

A lovely slice of life novella for a summers afternoon or long car ride. Perfect for winding down in the evening too. :)

Content Warnings

snowiceblackfruit77's review against another edition

5.0

emotional tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

abnormal_shadow's review against another edition

5.0

lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

An aroace neurodivergent women with an 18 year hyperfixation on Convenience Stores meets a 30 year old incel with a hatred for women and society

, adotpes him until Convenience stores start talking to her then she ditches him for Convenience Stores

Content Warnings

hellsjerome's review against another edition

3.5

sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I think I feel more frustration than anything after reading this book, which probably isn’t what the author intended. Everyone in this book sucks except Keiko.

Content Warnings

anh_read's review against another edition

4.5

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Sharp and witty. The novel invites you to rethink societal norms and pressures.

Content Warnings

glitterdeww's review against another edition

4.75

challenging emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad tense 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

I need new vocabulary to accurately describe the immense treat that is Convenience Store Woman. “Mundane yet strange,” feels far too broad. The vibes of this story feel like a symphony of everyday sounds, a cognitively intimate awareness of other humans, and the comfort of allowing oneself to be a small piece of a well-functioning machine.

Murata’s acclaimed short novel follows Keiko Furukura, a middle aged woman in Japan that has worked at a convenience store for 18 years. She is described as unusual, some type of social outcast. Through her point of view, the reader gains access to her uncomfortable yet astute inner workings. The additional characters serve as everything from pained yet caring family, to hateful and emotionally blind fellow outcasts.

As the societal criticism of Keiko’s life choices is further explored, I was left with only frustration for her sake. Keiko has found routine, peace, and connectedness through her work. If the general tasks she did to take up her time were done in service to a church or nunnery, no one would bat an eye. This story does well to lay out hypocrisy and prejudice in a lovely and succinct manner.

Also, the back of my book contained Murata’s essay that first appeared in Literally Hub on June 14th, 2018. I was rolling, omg. It's just as fantastic and well worth the read.

Content Warnings

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