A review by ishu_u
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

dark reflective 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

4.25

this was actually a super interesting read. i really like keiko's character and reading in her perspective was intriguing. the way she thinks is odd but super interesting. she makes for a compelling character. i didn't care much for the plot but it didn't bore me. i like the themes discussed in this book. it's interesting to read about how people are pressured into getting "good" jobs and getting married and being a good little member of society. i relate to keiko in some sense and i'm happy that she does what she wants at the end.

instead of marrying shiraha. i feel like, towards the end, keiko was also subconsciously thinking a bit like he was after hanging around with and listening to him rant sm. he's definitely an interesting character, but he's creepy so i don't like him.

also, i was surprised by how much i was on keiko's side reading this lol.

bc her thoughts are strange. like she thinks of making two boys stop fighting by hitting them over the head and then thinks of stopping her baby nephew from crying by contemplating stabbing him 😭 but i feel for her, in some sense. i wouldn't say i'm really like her but everyone around her pissed me off bc they're all so eager for her to get married and pop out babies and get a good job like, mind ur own business. i'm pretty young rn so i doubt i understand fully what societal pressure like that is like. but just hearing about it upsets me. if working in the convenience store and being single works for her then that's great!!! people in society need convenience store workers too, after all.

anyway, interesting read! i wasn't bored for a second.