Reviews tagging 'Sexual harassment'

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

88 reviews

robinks's review against another edition

funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I really enjoyed this short novel. As someone who used to live in Japan (and is currently visiting!), so many of the little snippets of convenience store happenings were super nostalgic. I also enjoyed the larger commentary on conformity and what is deemed “normal.”

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, Sexism, Acephobia/Arophobia, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Classism

Moderate: Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, and Pregnancy

Minor: Chronic illness, Rape, and Sexual content

emmieanna's review against another edition

reflective fast-paced

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

3.75

I thought the premise of this book was extremely interesting. It raises a lot of questions surrounding anonymity, societal expectations, the idea of ‘normaitivity’, purpose and happiness. Her peers’ obsession with stagnation and propriety was very telling

and I am so happy that she figured out in the end that she is completely fine living her life in a way that makes sense to her, not other people.

Keiko is so unusual and it was refreshing to be inside her mind. Seeing how analytically she thinks was a great insight into how some neurodiverse people process the world. Despite that it is never explicitly discussed, I feel that Convenience Store Woman could be considered authentic representation of neurodiversity and would recommend this book as a diverse narrative. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Stalking, and Pregnancy

martyrbat's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Emotional abuse, and Sexism

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Animal death, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual harassment

kaneebli's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, Sexism, and Acephobia/Arophobia

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Sexual harassment

Minor: Animal death, Rape, Violence, Stalking, and Pregnancy

okaychanly's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

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

2.75

Before I get into it, I just want to say that I hope that the translation of this book isn't the reason why I wasn't a huge fan. I've seen some comments online that the translation wasn't great so hopefully that isn't the root cause. Moving on though, I read this book at a time in my life where I was (and still am) questioning my purpose and ambitions. So I was hopeful that this book would be as inspiring as many online reviews claimed. Unfortunately, it missed the mark on several occasions for me such as with the "humor." I admire the protagonist for standing firm in the way she wants to live her life, and it's implied that she may be autistic. But

the whole subplot where that random man was staying RENT FREE in her apartment? BOTH UNEMPLOYED AND DISRESPECTFUL TOWARDS HER? No to mention her family and "friends" (really just former classmates) are just so unsupportive.

I wanted to throw the book. There are elements of a good, inspiring story about the joys of the mundane, but so many of the supporting characters and just plot in general were unlikable.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, and Sexism

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Stalking

Minor: Animal death, Rape, and Sexual harassment

elliebasta's review against another edition

dark reflective fast-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, Rape, and Sexism

Moderate: Animal death, Body shaming, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Sexual harassment

bookedbymadeline's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

I loved reading about the store and Keiko’s inner thoughts! I really related to a lot of the things she brings up about what is “normal” and changing her tone/expressions based on the people around her. It’s very similar to how I feel as a late diagnosed autistic woman so I marked a few pages that struck me!

I hated Shiraha, he was so irritating with his sexist incel commentary 😡 I wanted less of him and more of Keiko interacting with customers and going about her daily routine! This was a quick, easy read that offers some great commentary on society expectations and forced conformity.

There could be moments that were repetitive or too telling over showing plus I wanted more from Keiko so for that reason it’s only a 4 star read for me!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism and Sexism

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship

Minor: Animal death, Stalking, and Sexual harassment

sarahb919's review against another edition

funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

MC is autistic AF! She just wants the order, routine, and ritual that the store give her but everyone has to make a big deal about it! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Classism

Minor: Mental illness, Rape, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment

bookwyrmknits's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

This was an odd reading experience. I enjoyed the parts set in the convenience store, and I thought the audiobook narrator did a great job. Additionally, the protagonist Keiko reads as on the spectrum (though it's never explicitly stated) and it's really good to see the representation.

However, about halfway through the book, Shiraha (the "bitter young man" mentioned in the blurb) gets introduced, and when he starts talking to Keiko more about his views on society the book gets IMO less enjoyable. I was still interested enough to see how it plays out, and the story is short so I didn't feel like I wasted any time reading it.

I liked Keiko's resolution and decision at the end, but before getting there I did get very sick of Shiraha's incel comments and constant reference to society being "stuck in the Stone Age."

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism

Moderate: Misogyny and Sexual harassment

nialystic's review against another edition

funny

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Stalking, and Sexual harassment