Reviews

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

charming_killerqueen's review against another edition

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funny inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

tacotoro's review against another edition

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

bigbookslilreads's review against another edition

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4.0

This book was a total call out, and I feel in some way attacked, but also... I think everyone can feel somewhat called out by this book. It is an almost satirical demonstration of how a society can shun those outside the norm so easily, of how we can become so comfortable in certain roles and expectations but also so lost about who we are. Such a short book with such a poignant message - definitely recommend!

makeitbitter's review against another edition

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reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

It is a weird book, to be honest. A short read, started off strong with things that I find relatable about belonging to a society and wanting to be seen as normal through the lens of Keiko, our convenience store woman. 

As the story progresses though, it gets weirder and then it ends. I couldn't get over how Keiko took home a very strange man and he really puts me off (she did compare taking him home with having a pet, but still). Maybe the book will grow on me once I reread this in a more suitable head space.

The great part about this book is that it has so many thought provoking paragraphs:
I'd never experienced sex, and I'd never even had any particular awareness of my own sexuality. I was indifferent to the whole thing and had never really given it any thought. And here was everyone taking it for granted that I must be miserable when I wasn't.

Or
She's far happier thinking her sister is normal, even if she has a lot of problems, that she is having an abnormal sister for whom everything is fine. For her, normality-however messy-is far more comprehensible.

So, a strange book, quick to read, great premise, full of unlovable characters (all of the characters beside Keiko, really). 

piper_oates's review against another edition

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funny inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

justcamden's review against another edition

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

4.0

alejandrabecerra's review against another edition

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

2.5

quintyquinty's review against another edition

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lighthearted
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

klein maar fijn leesbaar boek. vond de gedachtes soms erg relatable? i love keiko!! ja t boek was precies goed.

theblushbookworm's review against another edition

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reflective relaxing slow-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

4.0

What a sweet, unconventional little novel! “Convenience Store Woman” follows Keiko, a convenience store worker in Tokyo, as she tries to navigate a society that doesn’t understand her. Keiko only feels she truly fits in as a convenience store worker. Keiko was a delight to read about, and I loved the simplicity of this novel. The low stakes made this a relaxing read that I definitely recommend!

saphicctofu's review against another edition

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reflective tense 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

2.75