Reviews

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

Only show reviews with written explanations

gracer's review against another edition

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

3.5

I started this book and really loved it. I love books that do such a spectacular job of describing the (seemingly) mundane. Murata really captured the romance of a convenience store job in this way, and it was a pleasure to read.

But halfway through my attention lagged. The conversation got repetitive, redundant. I got an impending sense of doom that was never delivered - so many of Chekhov’s guns never going off. That may have been part of the point - the main character clearly has socialization issues - but it left me feeling disoriented, expecting more and then unfulfilled as the book ended. I felt similarly about Shiraha - so much potential as a character, but then I felt nothing really came of him and his presence.

I’d still recommend this for the prose writing and for anyone interested in novella-type books. There’s plenty to like here. Just, for me, not enough to love.

fidoe's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Week 46 Book 38
The convenience store woman by Sayaka Murata
Rating: 3/5

A dark comedy book about life, expectations, society, consumerism, isolation, and purpose. Keiko is a virgin in her late 30s who works part-time in a store & everyone seems to have a problem with that except her!

ur_moms_fav_child's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.25

iphigenie72's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.25

maddiesimpson's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.75

This book was incredible. I really liked the discussion of women and their place in society and I loved how the main character stood her ground in terms of her career and starting a family/marriage. This passage in particular really resonated with me

Spoiler

“I’d never had sex, and I’d never had any particular awareness of my own sexuality. I was indifferent to the whole thing and had never really given it any thought. And here was everyone taking it for granted that I must be miserable when I wasn’t”

Spoiler

anitadisguised's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

at times absurd and at times depressing. i don't think it's for everyone since it kind of begins and ends the same, but i like reading about these type of characters because i find them relatable.

heatherhira's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

I was somehow under the impression this book would be more of a romp or a comedy than the poignant story of an unusual woman trying to fit into a world that does not understand her.

There are some thoughtful passages when Keiko is describing the world and how she perceives it, and the narration stays true to her nature of explaining the world in a detached, yet not completely objective tone.

This book was a pretty quick read although I almost abandoned it multiple times as my interest waned. I found most, if not all, the characters insufferable. Despite that, I am glad I finished this story to its final page as the ending concludes the story in a satisfying manner.