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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: Infertility and Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Stalking, Acephobia/Arophobia, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Classism
kaziaroo's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.25
[minor/vague spoilers ahead but it's not a plot-heavy book]
I have mixed feelings about this as although I enjoyed it, I really wish it had gone in a direction where Keiko could have found labels for her differences (such as autism, or even just neurodivergence, and aromanticism/asexuality), other than seeing herself as a creature made to work in a convenience store. She then could possibly have found others like herself and potential support for her future (there was never really a resolution to her concerns about what happens when her body can't keep up with convenience store life anymore). I guess it's just not the route the author wanted to go down but I feel like it could have said more about the lack of representation and acceptance for people with these differences, rather than focussing on societal expectations – it seems the author wanted to straddle the line between a story about capitalism and shallow societal norms, and one about the life of an undiagnosed neurodivergent and aro-ace adult who has never met anyone like herself (and as an aside, Keiko definitely wants this, as shown by her disappointment in how the store manager suddenly became "a human male" after he started recognising her as a "normal" person). As someone for whom these latter issues are very important already, I don't know how much these would have come across to a reader who is not familiar with them. I worry that people might read it and just think that Keiko is weird and that's that – at least Eleanor Oliphant had a "rational" reason for her difference whereas Keiko just concludes that she isn't human, which isn't great representation for neurodivergent and aro-ace people. So maybe it's best that she wasn't given those labels! Neurodivergent people are too often wielded as quirky and convenient tools for pointing out how weird society is, for better or for worse. On the plus side, Keiko is very self aware and comfortable with her differences, and it's only the attitude of the people around her that make her doubt herself. Overall, I enjoyed the book and it gave me lots to think about (as demonstrated by this rambling review) but it also left me feeling a bit disappointed/uncomfortable.
I have mixed feelings about this as although I enjoyed it, I really wish it had gone in a direction where Keiko could have found labels for her differences (such as autism, or even just neurodivergence, and aromanticism/asexuality), other than seeing herself as a creature made to work in a convenience store. She then could possibly have found others like herself and potential support for her future (there was never really a resolution to her concerns about what happens when her body can't keep up with convenience store life anymore). I guess it's just not the route the author wanted to go down but I feel like it could have said more about the lack of representation and acceptance for people with these differences, rather than focussing on societal expectations – it seems the author wanted to straddle the line between a story about capitalism and shallow societal norms, and one about the life of an undiagnosed neurodivergent and aro-ace adult who has never met anyone like herself (and as an aside, Keiko definitely wants this, as shown by her disappointment in how the store manager suddenly became "a human male" after he started recognising her as a "normal" person). As someone for whom these latter issues are very important already, I don't know how much these would have come across to a reader who is not familiar with them. I worry that people might read it and just think that Keiko is weird and that's that – at least Eleanor Oliphant had a "rational" reason for her difference whereas Keiko just concludes that she isn't human, which isn't great representation for neurodivergent and aro-ace people. So maybe it's best that she wasn't given those labels! Neurodivergent people are too often wielded as quirky and convenient tools for pointing out how weird society is, for better or for worse. On the plus side, Keiko is very self aware and comfortable with her differences, and it's only the attitude of the people around her that make her doubt herself. Overall, I enjoyed the book and it gave me lots to think about (as demonstrated by this rambling review) but it also left me feeling a bit disappointed/uncomfortable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Ableism, Eating disorder, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Chronic illness, Infidelity, and Stalking
The main character is persistently treated as "wrong" and in need of a cure because she displays autistic traits and is aro/ace.dytiscusfriend's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Concise, insightful, and delicately written. Thoroughly enjoyed gobbling this down in one sitting. Very interesting ideas about living and working in our modern world with no value judgement.
Recommend for fans of Aggretsuko (tv series) or Haruki Murakami.
Recommend for fans of Aggretsuko (tv series) or Haruki Murakami.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Eating disorder and Violence