Reviews

There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job by Kikuko Tsumura

becden's review

funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

4.75

savetris's review against another edition

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

4.0

pleasantly odd, enjoyable, just right up my alley except i kept dozing off—not because it was boring, i've just been veryyy tired

mellow_mikan's review

hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I was really close to giving this a 5, but this would probably be more of a 4.75 because, without spoiling anything, I wanted more conversation at the end about the "why"s for the main character. (I did still give it a 5 because I really wanted it on my "5"'s list).

But, I think I read this book at the exact time in my life where I would have enjoyed it the most. It's not dark but deals lightly with a rough subject I think a lot of people struggle with in this day and age: work and burnout.

I can see why some might not like it. The first chapter / job in particular is a little slow. But seeing how that job changed her (she was observing someone and she began eating what the person was eating as a way to avoid thinking about what to eat) really sat with me and made me think about the ways in which my different jobs have changed me. I definitely suggest pausing after each "job" to think about what happened and how the character reacted or saw new parts of herself (or, learned to recognize old patterns).

As it went on I delighted in some of the jobs, magical realism, and similar passages that made me think harder about work and what it means. When it's time to leave or stay or rest. I like the way Tsumura was able to promote thinking and talking about these things in a way that's whimsical, I guess, rather than over-the-top macabre or melancholy. In the midst of a pandemic, it was nice to read something whimsical but thoughtful.

rhythmixia's review

funny hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

langbcc's review

funny reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

seemeletgo's review

1.0

Dnf at +/- 45%
So boring..
I tried reading it for months but it could't entertain me..

easyvisionary's review

3.0

This took me ages to read and I forced myself to get it done today as I just found it a bit boring and didn’t feel that connected to the stories. A few of them felt like they were hitting a peak or possible excitement but the come down was too quick where the story was just over. So much build up for not much result.

I wanted to get hooked it, I wanted this to be a real page turner but it just wasn’t. A shame really.

rainbowfishy's review

4.0

unfortunately there is perhaps no subject i find more relatable than aimless young woman working a seemingly meaningless job

polym0rphing's review

lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

hevans189's review

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

3.75