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A review by ivyninareads
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
3.0
3.5 stars – Such a chill, fast-paced read. Personally, I found the narrative to be a lot more profound when I discovered upon reading the author's description at the end of the novel, that Sayaka Murata herself had worked part-time in convenience stores for 18 years, and that it was Convenience Store Woman that catapulted her into the world of writing and publishing. But then again, I think that that says something about how I may personally value a more simple narrative if it is based in truth.
There were some interesting anthropological (god I hope I'm using that word correctly, because I can't really be bothered looking up what it means) concepts that the book brought up. Namely, the way in which society expects a typical "normal" human to function and serve. As Keiko's life strays further and further from this ideal, pressure to conform closes in. I really liked the exploration of this theme when it came to the reactions that Keiko received when allowing Shiraha to move in with her. Keiko's sister, friends and co-workers are all overjoyed and are decided upon the fact that Keiko had been "cured", of whatever it was that she was facing that had kept her in a dead-end job and without a partner. Even when Keiko's sister comes to lambast Shiraha for his loafy habits, she is happier to accept that Shiraha may have been unfaithful to Keiko and as a result of an argument was sleeping in the bathroom, than she is willing to accept that Keiko and Shiraha have an unconventional living arrangement.
The way that Murata writes about the rhythms of the store is so melodic and exacting. It's genuinely really satisfying to read. I did feel at times that this novel was lacking a bit of substance, but as it was so fast-paced I was engaged the entire time. Definitely worth a read!
There were some interesting anthropological (god I hope I'm using that word correctly, because I can't really be bothered looking up what it means) concepts that the book brought up. Namely, the way in which society expects a typical "normal" human to function and serve. As Keiko's life strays further and further from this ideal, pressure to conform closes in. I really liked the exploration of this theme when it came to the reactions that Keiko received when allowing Shiraha to move in with her. Keiko's sister, friends and co-workers are all overjoyed and are decided upon the fact that Keiko had been "cured", of whatever it was that she was facing that had kept her in a dead-end job and without a partner. Even when Keiko's sister comes to lambast Shiraha for his loafy habits, she is happier to accept that Shiraha may have been unfaithful to Keiko and as a result of an argument was sleeping in the bathroom, than she is willing to accept that Keiko and Shiraha have an unconventional living arrangement.
The way that Murata writes about the rhythms of the store is so melodic and exacting. It's genuinely really satisfying to read. I did feel at times that this novel was lacking a bit of substance, but as it was so fast-paced I was engaged the entire time. Definitely worth a read!