Reviews

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

michellechien930's review against another edition

4.0

Living in a country whose dense population of convenience stores is not unlike Japan, I was naturally curious as to how the intricate workings of these stores were. I tutor a student who has worked in a convenience store for over two years, and I also know a convenience store worker who has been there for the ten years I've lived in this community. It's interesting to understand as to how Japanese society views these people and how they view themselves. This book is about nonconformity, but it really is much more than that. The main character is strange; she doesn't understand the antics and behavior of the people around her, and yet likes to observe and mimic them in order to be a part of the social norm. I'd like to say it was a "nice" and "uplifting" story, but it is not. It is about the harsh conditions of living in society, and how nonconformity can ruin a person's livelihood. I found the conversations between Keiko and Shiraha to be quite profound, and yet also really dark at times. It made me think about the criticism upon society's many rules and how people can strive to live their own lives.

monkya's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

thomas2591's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

swookie's review against another edition

dark funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

gatehousebooks's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

jmmerril's review against another edition

dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

zoboomafoo9's review

reflective medium-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? Yes

3.0

I’m not entirely sure what to make of this. It’s an interesting commentary on modern social roles and the way people are judged for not conforming. I liked Keiko and wished people could just let her be and then Shiraha shows another side to those who are maligned by society’s roles and devolve into something really awful. But it seemed weird how Keiko seemed very sympathetic towards him and I’m not sure if the audience was meant to feel similarly, like they were two outcasts who fit with each other. It didn’t seem like that by the end at least but I’m just not quite sure what I’m supposed to make of this.  

maudjuliette's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.5

proofofruin's review against another edition

4.0

i love a quick and simple character study. i love neurodivergent representation from a perspective character. i’m learning that i love japanese novelists. this ticked so many boxes.

i felt extremely seen by all of keiko’s descriptions of her sensory experiences and i loved this prose so much!!! the central theme that forgoing societal expectations in favor of a life that works for you is not only okay but a real way to flourish and thrive is so important.

i relate so much to keiko’s experience because i also often have to fend off projected ambition from family, friends and mentors who either won’t accept or can’t understand that i’m happy where i am despite my station not being the highest. i’ve found my niche and it makes me happy and i want to stay here!!! the lesson toward the end that going against yourself to conform to others’ expectations can *only* hurt you is something i wish i had learned much earlier, and that i was so happy to see represented in a way that mirrors my experience so closely.

nithyuh's review against another edition

lighthearted

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

2.5

liked it before that one guy came in