The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! š
biobeetle's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Stalking, Misogyny, Ableism, Toxic relationship, and Sexism
Minor: Sexual harassment
alexandrabelze's review
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
i read earthlings before reading this one, so the whole time i was on edge waiting for something crazy to happen, but this was a very mundane (for lack of better word) read. i actually really loved the main character! sayaka murata likes to focus on critiquing society in her novels, which could create an opportunity for redundancy. however, that being said, i would not consider her a redundant author. while both convenience store woman and earthlings paint society as a working system that individuals are supposed to and expected to involve themselves in, the characters in the books have completely different worldviews. i really enjoyed reading this one after having read earthlings. super excited to read her short story collection!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Bullying, Stalking, and Violence
junglejelly'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 devoured this book. The writing is just so good and brings the emotions, thoughts and personality of all characters to life so well. This is incredible especially considering it's a short book (~160 pages).
The exploration of what is "normal" in society and how it is self-policied is explored brilliantly. The comparison of social behaviours between Keiko and their friends/family(i.e. the same but seen differently) is done so well, too.
As someone who is neurodiverse, this exploration of societal norms and expectations was so relatable. I also connected with Keiko who I have similar behaviours and thought patterns with. So intentional or not, it was nice to read a positive representation of neurodiversity.
I would highly recommend this perfect book to anyone.
The exploration of what is "normal" in society and how it is self-policied is explored brilliantly. The comparison of social behaviours between Keiko and their friends/family
As someone who is neurodiverse, this exploration of societal norms and expectations was so relatable. I also connected with Keiko who I have similar behaviours and thought patterns with. So intentional or not, it was nice to read a positive representation of neurodiversity.
I would highly recommend this perfect book to anyone.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Stalking and Bullying
flashandoutbreak's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Acephobia/Arophobia, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Stalking, and Emotional abuse
spooderman's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Infertility
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Acephobia/Arophobia, Alcohol, Classism, Domestic abuse, Stalking, Animal cruelty, Pregnancy, Animal death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Blood
sendlasagna's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
The 1 star is not a fault of the book, I just canāt take stories like this.Ā
Autistic, Japanese woman is used and condescended to by everyone around her. Then a massively boorish, misogynisticĀ man starts living off her, lying to people, telling her what to do, and everyone around her celebrates that sheās probably getting sex. Itās PAINFUL to watch someone be so badly understood, rejected, and then congratulated for being in an unsafe r/ship just because it matched social pretense. Itās painful that she had to give/mask/perform so much just to get people to stop nagging and prying and commenting on her. And through it all, the one place she was safe is mocked and finally taken away from her. If people can read something like this and go out into their real lives not questioning how they operate on the day to day, not challenging the relationship escalator, or STILL not listening, then I hate this world. Iām so fucking mad right now, trying to tell myself itās fiction, knowing itās not.Ā
Edit: hung out with some parrots. Iām okay now.Ā
Extra context to my read: in an oddly pretentious coffeeshop in Queenstown?? Many, many annoying sg men coming in and out, all ācoolā affectations with no substance. Owner was very nice.Ā
Autistic, Japanese woman is used and condescended to by everyone around her. Then a massively boorish, misogynisticĀ man starts living off her, lying to people, telling her what to do, and everyone around her celebrates that sheās probably getting sex. Itās PAINFUL to watch someone be so badly understood, rejected, and then congratulated for being in an unsafe r/ship just because it matched social pretense. Itās painful that she had to give/mask/perform so much just to get people to stop nagging and prying and commenting on her. And through it all, the one place she was safe is mocked and finally taken away from her. If people can read something like this and go out into their real lives not questioning how they operate on the day to day, not challenging the relationship escalator, or STILL not listening, then I hate this world. Iām so fucking mad right now, trying to tell myself itās fiction, knowing itās not.Ā
Edit: hung out with some parrots. Iām okay now.Ā
Extra context to my read: in an oddly pretentious coffeeshop in Queenstown?? Many, many annoying sg men coming in and out, all ācoolā affectations with no substance. Owner was very nice.Ā
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Misogyny
thesunthesunthesunthesun's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I love Furukura, she is so iconic, just let her be!!!! Just let her do her thing!! She deserves to just work at the convenience store šššš (Dutch translation ftw, it just hits different than the english one)
The story is pretty fast paced, Furukura is an iconic main character and i love her. A truly painfully accurate account of society and the inner workings of some people's minds.
Amazing writing, Shiraha is the most annoying asshole ever and I hate him.
My partners read the book out loud to me and the only reason it took this long is because I needed to have a break three times per page because I had to yell about Shihara.
The story is pretty fast paced, Furukura is an iconic main character and i love her. A truly painfully accurate account of society and the inner workings of some people's minds.
Amazing writing, Shiraha is the most annoying asshole ever and I hate him.
My partners read the book out loud to me and the only reason it took this long is because I needed to have a break three times per page because I had to yell about Shihara.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Ableism, and Sexism
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia and Classism
Minor: Animal death and Sexual harassment
serendipity421's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Acephobia/Arophobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Classism, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Rape
jj_tj's review
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Ableism