'Convenience Store Woman' by Sayaka Murata is a quirky and atmospheric novel that delves into the life of Keiko, a woman who has worked at a convenience store for 18 years. Keiko finds comfort and satisfaction in her job, despite societal pressures to conform and lead a more traditional life. The book explores themes of societal norms, individuality, and the struggle to fit in, all through the lens of Keiko's unique perspective. The writing style is described as fresh, simple, and emotionally charged, making it a quick and absorbing read that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include societal pressure, mental health themes, and the portrayal of a neurodivergent character.
From The Publisher:
Shortlisted for the Best Translated Book Award
Longlisted for the Believer Book Award
Longlisted for the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation
A Los Angeles Times Bestseller
The English-language debut of an exciting young voice in international fiction, selling 660,000 copies in Japan alone, Convenience Store Woman is a bewitching portrayal of contemporary Japan through the eyes of a single woman who fits into the rigidity of its work culture only too well.
The English-language debut of one of Japan's most talented contemporary writers, selling over 650,000 copies there, Convenience Store Woman is the heartwarming and surprising story of thirty-six-year-old Tokyo resident Keiko Furukura. Keiko has never fit in, neither in her family, nor in school, but when at the age of eighteen she begins working at the Hiiromachi branch of "Smile Mart," she finds peace and purpose in her life. In the store, unlike anywhere else, she understands the rules of social interaction-many are laid out line by line in the store's manual-and she does her best to copy the dress, mannerisms, and speech of her colleagues, playing the part of a "normal" person excellently, more or less. Managers come and go, but Keiko stays at the store for eighteen years. It's almost hard to tell where the store ends and she begins. Keiko is very happy, but the people close to her, from her family to her coworkers, increasingly pressure her to find a husband, and to start a proper career, prompting her to take desperate action...
A brilliant depiction of an unusual psyche and a world hidden from view, Convenience Store Woman is an ironic and sharp-eyed look at contemporary work culture and the pressures to conform, as well as a charming and completely fresh portrait of an unforgettable heroine.
Ratings (191)
Incredible (22) | |
Loved It (64) | |
Liked It (53) | |
It Was OK (33) | |
Did Not Like (16) | |
Hated It (3) |
Reader Stats (407):
Read It (196) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (165) | |
Did Not Finish (8) | |
Not Interested (37) |
5 comment(s)
From an early age, Keiko Furukura has never fit with her family, her peers or society. Although her parents take her to a counselor as a child, she learns at a young age to suppress her true self and instead begins to imitate those around her in an attempt to be viewed as normal.
After she finishes high school, Keiko is lost without purpose or direction until she sees a sign for a new “Smile Mart” convenience store opening in her area. Keiko applies for the job and is immediately hired. Keiko loves the daily routine of her job, the uniform, the orderliness of the shelves as well as the sounds of the store. As the years pass by and employees come and go, Keiko takes little pieces of their personality, speaking style or behavior to appear even more normal. Although she likes the life she’s created for herself, her parents and sister worry about her since she has stayed at the same part time job at “Smile Mart” for eighteen years and have never been involved in a romantic relationship.
When Shiraha begins to work at the store, he is lazy and without enthusiasm about working at the store. Keiko is tasked with training Shiraha but he has no desire to work or remain at what he views as a dead end job. Eventually Shiraha gets fired from the convenience store for and it is only after he’s fired that Keiko discovers he real reason for working at the convenience store which is to find a wife.
Keiko pities Shiraha and also is tired of feeling pressured from her friends to achieve milestones such as getting married and having children. Keiko convinces a reluctant Shiraha to move in with her in a mutual relationship of them getting married and Keiko works while Shiraha stays home hidden away.
This book was an interesting read because it shows how easy someone can become hypnotized by corporate culture as seen through Keiko’s devotion to “Smile Mart” including shouting the store’s catch phrase in her sleep. A secondary this I found intriguing was society’s unrealistic demands of women versus men. I found it most interesting that despite this book being originally written in Japanese, its topics are easily transferable to American female readers regarding what it means be not follow society norms of getting married or having children.
A not very interesting look into a psychopath's psyche, who with the help of her family, tries to lead a normal life and hide her condition to the people who know her.
Quirky. Insightful. Oddly satisfying.
Really interesting premise for a book. Commentary on what is to be "normal" in society makes you question the rules of day-to-day life. The story itself felt weak over time and a little repetitive.
pretty sure MC is autistic-coded, which makes the imagery that her nephew is born similarly to her after years of her sister begging her to be 'normal' hahahaha it was great, really
What can you read after
Convenience Store Woman?
About the Author:
Sayaka Murata is the author of many books, including Convenience Store Woman, winner of Japan's most prestigious literary award, the Akutagawa Prize. She used to work part-time in a convenience store, which inspired this novel. Murata has been named a Freeman's "Future of New Writing" author, and her work has appeared in Granta and elsewhere. In 2016, Vogue Japan selected her as a Woman of the Year. Ginny Tapley Takemori has translated works by more than a dozen Japanese writers, including Ryū Murakami. She lives at the foot of a mountain in Eastern Japan.
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