Review: Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

How I Found This Book

I first read about this book in The Guardian, but it was a tweet this week from The Book Satchel that made me pick it up. She mentioned it in a discussion of the book Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. Thank you!

The Story

Keiko is a mid-30’s woman who stays outside the norms of Japanese society by not being married and only having a part-time job in a convenience store. She has long struggled to understand “normal.” When she accidentally shares something from her life that is seen as “normal” her life changes.

My Thoughts

I loved this book! Keiko’s world, the world she “hears” is the Convenience Store. It is her world, she feels safe, valued, and useful. She doesn’t hear the biological clock ticking within her and doesn’t care. She is herself.

There is probably symbolism here–INCEL [involuntarily celebate] is one that’s mentioned online about this book. Is she autistic? I don’t care. She is exactly who she is meant to be. She has found her niche, and that is rare in this world.

This will be a superb book club book–unlike so many that are just easy to ask questions about, this book will get to the heart of the members in ways they don’t expect.

I’m happy to say this is one of my favorite books so far this year–maybe even of the entire year! We’ll wait and see on that though, right?

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

My Verdict

4 Stars

Book Depository Link