Reviews with content warning for Sexual harassment - Convenience Store Woman

Reviews tagging 'Sexual harassment'

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

90 reviews

bookwyrmknits's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

This was an odd reading experience. I enjoyed the parts set in the convenience store, and I thought the audiobook narrator did a great job. Additionally, the protagonist Keiko reads as on the spectrum (though it's never explicitly stated) and it's really good to see the representation.

However, about halfway through the book, Shiraha (the "bitter young man" mentioned in the blurb) gets introduced, and when he starts talking to Keiko more about his views on society the book gets IMO less enjoyable. I was still interested enough to see how it plays out, and the story is short so I didn't feel like I wasted any time reading it.

I liked Keiko's resolution and decision at the end, but before getting there I did get very sick of Shiraha's incel comments and constant reference to society being "stuck in the Stone Age."

Content Warnings

nialystic's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny

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

3.75

Content Warnings

kcjulia's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Content Warnings

abnormal_shadow's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

Content Warnings

hellsjerome's review against another edition

Go to review page

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.

Content Warnings

skypirateb's review

Go to review page

funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

ashley_turch's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny reflective tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Content Warnings

glitterdeww's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad tense 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

4.75

I need new vocabulary to accurately describe the immense treat that is Convenience Store Woman. “Mundane yet strange,” feels far too broad. The vibes of this story feel like a symphony of everyday sounds, a cognitively intimate awareness of other humans, and the comfort of allowing oneself to be a small piece of a well-functioning machine.

Murata’s acclaimed short novel follows Keiko Furukura, a middle aged woman in Japan that has worked at a convenience store for 18 years. She is described as unusual, some type of social outcast. Through her point of view, the reader gains access to her uncomfortable yet astute inner workings. The additional characters serve as everything from pained yet caring family, to hateful and emotionally blind fellow outcasts.

As the societal criticism of Keiko’s life choices is further explored, I was left with only frustration for her sake. Keiko has found routine, peace, and connectedness through her work. If the general tasks she did to take up her time were done in service to a church or nunnery, no one would bat an eye. This story does well to lay out hypocrisy and prejudice in a lovely and succinct manner.

Also, the back of my book contained Murata’s essay that first appeared in Literally Hub on June 14th, 2018. I was rolling, omg. It's just as fantastic and well worth the read.

Content Warnings

maddykes13's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective fast-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

3.5

Content Warnings

chemicalvampire's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous 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

4.25

It is very fascinating to read a book about someone who has no interest in conforming to society's expectations. I think Sayaka Murata did an incredible job making me care about the life of someone who essentially does not have any emotions and only thinks about what is rational to her.

Content Warnings

More...