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A review by cinnakuuri
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Not as long of a read as I expected—I got a digital copy—but it did leave a lasting impression on me.
The description of a konbini (convenience store) in this novella is unlike anything I've ever read before. Imagine writing about something so mundane in such a crisp, refreshing light. Often the konbini is just a liminal space that I pass by without giving it much thought. Now I don't think I could see the place the same way again.
It's also interesting how the author chose to write in the perspective of the antisocial Keiko—am I the only one who thinks she's not quirky, she's quite literally psychopathic?—to comment on how odd their social mores actually are. The deliberate choice of the konbini setting as a microcosm of Japan is genius. I could talk about this all day to anyone who cares to listen.
The picture Murata paints in this story can look bleak to many, though I don't necessarily think it's fatalistic. Sure, society can force you to participate in its capitalistic endeavors, but to a certain extent we can choose how we want to participate and find meaning in its trappings. The way she does in the end, with full awareness of the consequences.
I still believe the "bitter young man" she meets is a horrible person I'd rather not have known, but that's kind of the point.
I'm rambling, I know, but I can't help but gush about how much this book made me think about societal expectations that I've taken for granted. It's haunted me to sleep. For that alone I'm rating this 5 stars.
The description of a konbini (convenience store) in this novella is unlike anything I've ever read before. Imagine writing about something so mundane in such a crisp, refreshing light. Often the konbini is just a liminal space that I pass by without giving it much thought. Now I don't think I could see the place the same way again.
It's also interesting how the author chose to write in the perspective of the antisocial Keiko—am I the only one who thinks she's not quirky, she's quite literally psychopathic?—to comment on how odd their social mores actually are. The deliberate choice of the konbini setting as a microcosm of Japan is genius. I could talk about this all day to anyone who cares to listen.
The picture Murata paints in this story can look bleak to many, though I don't necessarily think it's fatalistic. Sure, society can force you to participate in its capitalistic endeavors, but to a certain extent we can choose how we want to participate and find meaning in its trappings. The way she does in the end, with full awareness of the consequences.
I still believe the "bitter young man" she meets is a horrible person I'd rather not have known, but that's kind of the point.
I'm rambling, I know, but I can't help but gush about how much this book made me think about societal expectations that I've taken for granted. It's haunted me to sleep. For that alone I'm rating this 5 stars.