Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata - Book Review

In Convenience Store Woman, protagonist Keiko Furukura reflects:

How often have you felt different from the people around you—sometimes leaving you insecure and anxious, yet at other times completely content with who you are? I know I have. Reading Convenience Store Woman made me feel seen—it reassured me that it's okay to be different, to not force yourself into a role just to fit in. It's okay to be "normal" in your own way, even if the world sees you as anything but.

Summary

Keiko Furukura has never quite fit into society's expectations. From a young age, she struggled to understand human behavior and found solace in the rigid, rule-driven world of a convenience store. At 36, she's still working the same part-time job, content in her routine. But when pressure from family and society intensifies, she's forced to question whether she should change to meet the world's expectations or continue living life on her own terms.

The Many Faces of Happiness
Keiko is happy in her structured routine, but society refuses to accept her unconventional lifestyle. In just a few pages, Convenience Store Woman challenges the idea that happiness must look the same for everyone.

Social Expectations and Conformity
The novel also delves into the weight of social norms and expectations-Keiko's family and peers constantly push her to marry or find a "real" job, raising thought-provoking questions about how we judge those who don't fit traditional roles.

Identity and Purpose
It also explores identity and purpose-Keiko's sense of self is deeply tied to her job, her ability to mimic social behaviors making her functional, yet leaving us to wonder: is she truly being herself?

A Gateway to Japanese Literature

Japanese literature never fails to touch those deep, unspoken parts of the heart, making the most unconventional stories feel incredibly relatable in a humorous yet thoughtful way! It was also fascinating to get a glimpse into the inner workings of a convenience store, which almost feels like a character itself- structured, efficient, and demanding.

If you're new to Japanese literature and looking for books to start your reading journey, I recommend:

1. Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

2. Before The Coffee Gets Cold series by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

3. The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai

4. The Bookshop Woman by Nanako Hanada

5. Days At The Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

6. More Days At The Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

Each of these works shares that distinctive blend of the everyday and the profound that makes contemporary Japanese fiction so compelling.

Aditi is an avid reader and a coffee connoisseur. You can follow Aditi on her Instagram