Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

Lähikaupan nainen by Sayaka Murata

58 reviews

rnbhargava's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This is about the psychology of a woman who’s worked at a convenience store inside a Metro/Subway station for much too long. It leaves quite an impression given it’s only 163 pages, not counting the short afterword essay by the author. You see the character struggle with things and expectations from childhood to adulthood. It’s fascinating and also kind of tragic. Well worth a read.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Classism

This short book is largely about a character that feels perpetually maladjusted and has used long term part-time work in a convenience store as a coping mechanism. It’s fascinating and tragic. Well worth a read.

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

irammy's review against another edition

funny hopeful 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

4.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this quirky little book. Keiko Furukura may be different, but she learns to accept her own instincts and purpose in life despite the pressure from society to confirm. It's an interesting commentary on the strangeness of what society considers normal and unwillingness to accept people who are happily different. It also gave me a newfound respect for konbini workers! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic friendship

Minor: Animal death and Stalking

e_riahh's review against another edition

reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Dysphoria

Minor: Animal death

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

kat_a's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted reflective slow-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

4.0

A lovely slice of life novella for a summers afternoon or long car ride. Perfect for winding down in the evening too. :)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming and Misogyny

Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Infertility, Rape, Sexism, Medical content, Stalking, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Classism

Minor: Cursing, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

snowiceblackfruit77's review against another edition

emotional tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Acephobia/Arophobia, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Classism

abnormal_shadow's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

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

5.0

An aroace neurodivergent women with an 18 year hyperfixation on Convenience Stores meets a 30 year old incel with a hatred for women and society

, adotpes him until Convenience stores start talking to her then she ditches him for Convenience Stores

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia and Sexual harassment

Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, and Alcohol

Dairy of a Void

hellsjerome's review against another edition

sad slow-paced

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

3.5

I think I feel more frustration than anything after reading this book, which probably isn’t what the author intended. Everyone in this book sucks except Keiko.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia and Sexual harassment

Minor: Ableism