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libellumartinae's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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
3.5
Ho iniziato questo libro con un interesse nello scoprire se il genere di scrittura dell'autrice mi piacesse e al momento sono abbastanza insicura sulla mia opinione, dato che la prima parte mi è molto piaciuta assieme alla costruzione della trama e dei personaggi. Però ammetto che la fine mi è sembrata molto riduttiva e inutile e aabbastanza frettolosa. Un interessante approccio che cercherò di approfondire.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
svjak's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
- 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 don't think I've ever been *seen* by a book the way I feel like Sayaka Murata sees me. Convenience Store Woman was a novel about a woman who has been working in a convenience store since she was 18. She's hit that time in her life where people are starting to move on, have families of their own, reach these grand career accomplishments, and Keiko is in the same place she's been for her entire adult life.
I relate to that hard. The feeling of wondering if you've accomplished enough. The feeling of seeing all of your friends and family pass you by and take pity on you for being comfortable with where you are. The thought of the clock running out for you to do something else but despite it all feeling reluctant to do anything about it because change is so uncomfortable.
And although it's not said in this book it's very clear that Keiko is some brand of neurodivergent, if not autistic. The way she describes her troubles with socializing, the ease with which she fits in at the convenience store because she feels like a cog in a machine, the way she thinks about society and jobs as a whole - these are all thoughts I've caught myself having at one point or another. And that made this book even more valuable for me. This is great rep.
But the grandest part of this book, for me, was the ending. I learned from Keiko that it's okay to be who you are. It's okay to be content with what you're doing even if other people don't view it as 'enough' or even view it as a job. You don't owe anyone else an explanation and you can't let someone else take the reins of your life. Even if the people in your life aren't happy about it, you have to put yourself first and make yourself happy, and if you're good at something and you love doing it then you don't owe anyone else anything. You have to make your own decisions.
And Keiko did.
I loved this book. I needed this book.
I relate to that hard. The feeling of wondering if you've accomplished enough. The feeling of seeing all of your friends and family pass you by and take pity on you for being comfortable with where you are. The thought of the clock running out for you to do something else but despite it all feeling reluctant to do anything about it because change is so uncomfortable.
And although it's not said in this book it's very clear that Keiko is some brand of neurodivergent, if not autistic. The way she describes her troubles with socializing, the ease with which she fits in at the convenience store because she feels like a cog in a machine, the way she thinks about society and jobs as a whole - these are all thoughts I've caught myself having at one point or another. And that made this book even more valuable for me. This is great rep.
But the grandest part of this book, for me, was the ending. I learned from Keiko that it's okay to be who you are. It's okay to be content with what you're doing even if other people don't view it as 'enough' or even view it as a job. You don't owe anyone else an explanation and you can't let someone else take the reins of your life. Even if the people in your life aren't happy about it, you have to put yourself first and make yourself happy, and if you're good at something and you love doing it then you don't owe anyone else anything. You have to make your own decisions.
And Keiko did.
I loved this book. I needed this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Abandonment
cutepatzie's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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? Yes
5.0
As a person who deals with not understatement by closes to me people Completely understand the feelings of the main character. She finds her place, a thing that she loves to do and people are not happy that "the system" of being normal has an error. It's a great book. But I understand it's not everyone and maybe not everyone will understand her like I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment