A review by tokiberry
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

informative reflective fast-paced

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

3.25

Convenience Store Woman
⤷ ⭑⭑⭑.𝟱

❝ I’m not capable of working anywhere else except the convenience store. I did give it a go, but it turns out the convenience store worker mask is the only one I’m fit to wear. So if people don’t accept that, I have no idea what I can do about it.❞

*‧. Keiko Furukura is a convenience store worker who excels at following the rules and overall procedures at work. Despite her proficiency at work, she feels lost as she struggles with maintaining relationships and understanding societal norms. To fit in and feel like she belongs, she imitates others and conforms to societal expectations. When she meets someone who is equally lost, she realizes that her life, society, and relationships aren’t as easy as following a store manual.

Initially, I gave this book a 3-star rating, but after thinking about it more, I found it very interesting. I didn't read the premise or any reviews before picking this up, so I initially thought it would be a fun, quirky read based on the title and cover. However, as I read (in my case, listened) further, I realized there's a deeper meaning to the title and why Keiko is a Convenience Store Woman.

The book profoundly depicts societal and social standards. We see how Keiko perceives herself as different and somewhat eccentric, so she carefully conforms her emotions, thoughts, and actions to meet societal expectations. However, by the end of the book, we learn the importance of not conforming to society's expectations and instead embracing the best version of ourselves.

‧₊˚ ❝ The normal world has no room for exceptions and always quietly eliminates foreign objects. Anyone who is lacking is disposed of.

So that’s why I need to be cured. Unless I’m cured, normal people will expurgate me. Finally I understood why my family had tried so hard to fix me. ❞ ┊

⋆𖦹.✧˚

𐙚 pre-read: i just love this cover so much