PLOT: 3.5/5
CHARACTERS: 4.5/5
WRITING: 4.5/5
RELEVANCE: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
“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.”
– Sayaka Murata, Convenience Store Woman
My musings
In recent times, I have been utterly captivated by the literary works of Japanese and Korean authors, which seem to be taking the reading world by storm. In my quest to delve deeper into this compelling genre, I finally had the opportunity to immerse myself in a book that had been patiently waiting on my reading list – “Convenience Store Woman” by Sayaka Murata.
The icing on the cake was the exceptional translation of this Japanese gem into English, masterfully done by Ginny Tapley Takemori. This experience only added to the book’s charm and drew me into its world even more.
The theme of Convenience Store Woman
At its core, “Convenience Store Woman” pays homage to individuals often overlooked or deemed “outliers” by society. It challenges us to reevaluate the concept of normalcy and underscores the importance of celebrating our own uniqueness. I must say, it’s a simple yet profoundly beautiful story that resonates with the reader in you.
The story as it goes
This book unfolds the extraordinary, heartwarming tale of Keiko Furukura, a unique 36-year-old Tokyo resident. From her early years, Keiko has grappled with the struggle of not fitting into society’s conventional mold, be it in school, with her family, or as an adult in the community.
At eighteen, she finds solace and belonging when she begins working at Tokyo’s Hiiromachi branch of Smile Mart, a convenience store. The store’s manual serves as her compass for navigating the complexities of social interaction. Keiko eagerly observes her colleagues, imitating their clothing and speech.
However, her contentment in the store starkly contrasts the dissatisfaction of those around her—family, friends, and eventually colleagues. They relentlessly pressure her to pursue marriage, a “proper” job, and a conventional lifestyle.
“Convenience Store Woman” delves into the societal norms and expectations that define normalcy, portraying the life of someone who refuses to conform to society’s rigid definition of “normal.”
My thoughts
The character of Keiko Furukura
Reading about Keiko from her own point of view provides a stark contrast to one’s own definition of living. To get to know her and her perspectives is a refreshing thing. When we see things through her lenses, it only tells us more about the world that we live in.
Her awkwardness around people and her ways of understanding the nitty-gritty of society and normalcy makes her endearing to the reader.
As the pages turn, this main character, who was weird in the first few pages when she was bashing her classmates and cooking up plans of eating the dead neighbourhood bird, becomes an endearing one; one that will stay with you long after you are done reading the book.
The setting of a convenience store
The setting of a convenience store gives the book a unique edge but more than that is the character of Keiko who works there that makes it truly special. Apart from giving keen insights into the world of convenience stores especially Japanese ones, the book also gives a deeply personal up close of a social outlier.
The other characters
They are either trying to get her to conform (and oh boy, she does try so much!) or they are there to exploit her. When it comes to these other characters, Shiraha is the absolute worst. You do feel sad about Keiko, though, so caught up in the sticking-to-expectations game she gets, that she forgets the one thing that makes her life worth living.
In the end
Convenience Store Woman is a strange book about a strange character who is strange but sweet, weird but lovable, and imperfect but still perfect in ways that we cannot comprehend.
Can’t wait to read it? Buy your copy of Convenience Store Woman using the link below.