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pekoegal's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. I certainly didn't expect a supermarket to be full of such dramatic office politics, blackmail, backstabbing, secret lovers' trysts, and embezzlement. What a surprise!
What I liked most about this book was its portrayal of leadership. Kojima is the kind of leader that you aspire to be like - someone who doesn't just shout orders from the top, learns from his competitors, listens to his employees, takes responsibility where necessary (and almost when it's unnecessary to protect others), and raises new leaders around him. He's like a poster child for every management course ever taught in college and employee enrichment seminars.
This is a pretty quick read, and the story is paced pretty steadily. You'll find pages flying past without realizing it.
What I liked most about this book was its portrayal of leadership. Kojima is the kind of leader that you aspire to be like - someone who doesn't just shout orders from the top, learns from his competitors, listens to his employees, takes responsibility where necessary (and almost when it's unnecessary to protect others), and raises new leaders around him. He's like a poster child for every management course ever taught in college and employee enrichment seminars.
This is a pretty quick read, and the story is paced pretty steadily. You'll find pages flying past without realizing it.
marie_gg's review against another edition
3.0
Classic novel of Japan! Read my full review here: http://mariesbookgarden.blogspot.com/2010/12/supermarket-glimpse-into-1970s-japanese.html
reganreads2sleep's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
chyneyee's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Who knows that a supermarket chain company will involve a lot of drama among workers from various levels. Ichimura with his secret support group organised by Sashima, Sashima with his crime swept under the table by the management, a dark secret of a handsome worker with soulless eyes, and a high inferiority man who is always jealous of anyone better than him.
This multi-dimensional story has a very lively storyline that covers various departments in a supermarket chain company, from low-ranking employees to the management level. Their different responsibilities reflect their perspectives on the company, management and colleagues. The variety of interesting characters has led the readers to keep looking forward to more drama being unfolded by the writer.
Book Review: Supermarket by Satoshi Azuchi.
This multi-dimensional story has a very lively storyline that covers various departments in a supermarket chain company, from low-ranking employees to the management level. Their different responsibilities reflect their perspectives on the company, management and colleagues. The variety of interesting characters has led the readers to keep looking forward to more drama being unfolded by the writer.
Book Review: Supermarket by Satoshi Azuchi.
myszuna's review against another edition
3.0
At times, I really struggled with this book, but all in all, I think the author did a good job of presenting how this type of establishment works.
There was one thing I hated though: the way women were portrayed, e.g.
Woman: Don't you see our family is falling apart and we need to to something about this?
Man: Pull yourself together and make dinner.
I mean... Come on. I realise this book was published over 30 years ago, but really?
There was one thing I hated though: the way women were portrayed, e.g.
Woman: Don't you see our family is falling apart and we need to to something about this?
Man: Pull yourself together and make dinner.
I mean... Come on. I realise this book was published over 30 years ago, but really?
imitira's review against another edition
3.0
This is an interesting read, particularly if taken as cultural gospel. The story is generally enjoyable (although the mid-book resolution is frustratingly uncomplicated), and the data whore inside me loved the discussion of supermarket mechanics, but the characterization was somewhat shallow (perhaps that's typical for the genre?), and, as far as actual plot quality goes, it was a little limp.
hannakutlu's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Homophobia
boyblue's review against another edition
4.0
I feel like I understand the Japanese even better than before. Even though a supermarket isn't the most Japanese of inventions, it does create the perfect setting to see everyone interact with each other. The Japanese reverence for the salary man, the company man, is hard to understand but this story goes a long way in helping you understand it. It's also a great story and it will keep you turning the pages.
fog_city's review against another edition
2.0
A book about the rise of supermarkets in Japan. About as interesting as it sounds which is to say not really.