Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka MurataMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
After reading and enjoying Earthlings last year, I bought a copy of this book for my Kobo. And decided to get stuck into it today.
Keiko Furukura is a single woman who doesn't have too many friends, keeps to herself, and loves her job. If only other people would understand how much the convenience store means to her...
OMG. This book! It's SO good. I couldn't put it down and read it in one afternoon/night.
Furukura is such an innocent and unfiltered character. She spends so much of her life learning how to behave and how to dress in order to fit in because she learned pretty early on that not acting normal gets you shunned by others. She's pretty good at fitting in, but even that's not enough. It's never enough because everyone expects her to get married and get a better job and have children and fit the norm instead of acting weird.
It's exhausting how many hurdles people expect others to jump over in order to be accepted. But Furukura doesn't care about all those things because all she needs is the convenience store. I love how she describes everything about her workplace like it's an organic being that keeps her on track. Not just during her shifts. Her job ensures she stays healthy and even helps her sleep. And you know what? She's really good at her job and never asks for more than she deserves. So I got really angry with her so-called friends, co-workers, and family for being so freaking judgy.
And for the record, I really disliked Shiraha. The sexist incel who takes advantage of an opportunity that Furukura offers in order to keep her working for him. Even though he doesn't like her and treats her like crap. She really is too good for him.
Anyway, I love the final scene because there was no other way to end the convenience store woman's story.
Irasshaimasé!
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