Take a photo of a barcode or cover
awaywithforestfae 's review for:
Convenience Store Woman
by Sayaka Murata
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A darkly funny novel about a woman who is born to be a convenience worker!
I really liked the perspective on what it means to be a "human" and society's harsh views on anything outside the norm. Keiko read extremely autistic-coded to me, using the "convenience store worker" mask to go about her everyday life. I enjoyed reading her perspective and liked her character.
There were other characters I liked a lot less, and the author did a good job of putting them up against Keiko so that their ideas were an annoyance. It made me think more about the forced "normality" in our society. I've always disliked this idea and gone my own way, but in some circumstances and cultures, this is not possible for everyone.
I genuinely hated Shiraha, although he was similar to Keiko in the regard of being an outsider, he used this to manipulate others and basically act like an incel. I found myself very frustrated when Keiko actually listened to him.
I feel like I learned a lot about Convenience Stores and Japanese culture through that novel, and I liked reading from Keiko's perspective. However, I enjoyed the second half with lots of Shiraha in it, a lot less, up until the ending, which I found fulfilling.
All in all, an amusing and dark read, for those who want to ponder on societal norms.
I really liked the perspective on what it means to be a "human" and society's harsh views on anything outside the norm. Keiko read extremely autistic-coded to me, using the "convenience store worker" mask to go about her everyday life. I enjoyed reading her perspective and liked her character.
There were other characters I liked a lot less, and the author did a good job of putting them up against Keiko so that their ideas were an annoyance. It made me think more about the forced "normality" in our society. I've always disliked this idea and gone my own way, but in some circumstances and cultures, this is not possible for everyone.
I genuinely hated Shiraha, although he was similar to Keiko in the regard of being an outsider, he used this to manipulate others and basically act like an incel. I found myself very frustrated when Keiko actually listened to him.
I feel like I learned a lot about Convenience Stores and Japanese culture through that novel, and I liked reading from Keiko's perspective. However, I enjoyed the second half with lots of Shiraha in it, a lot less, up until the ending, which I found fulfilling.
All in all, an amusing and dark read, for those who want to ponder on societal norms.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Sexism, Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal death, Stalking