The English-language debut of one of Japan's most talented contemporary writers, selling over 650,000 copies there,Convenience Store Woman is the heartwarming and surprising story of thirty-six-year-old Tokyo resident Keiko Furukura. Keiko has never fit in, neither in her family, nor in school, but when at the age of eighteen she begins working at the Hiiromachi branch of "Smile Mart," she finds peace and purpose in her life. In the store, unlike anywhere else, she understands the rules of social interaction--many are laid out line by line in the store's manual--and she does her best to copy the dress, mannerisms, andspeech of her colleagues, playing the part of a "normal" person excellently, more or less. Managers come and go, but Keiko stays at the store for eighteen years. It's almost hard to tell where the store ends and she begins. Keiko is very happy, but the people close to her, from her family to her coworkers, increasingly pressure her to find a husband, and to start a proper career, prompting her to take desperate action... A brilliant depiction of an unusual psyche and a world hidden from view,Convenience Store Woman is an ironic and sharp-eyed look at contemporary work culture and the pressures to conform, as well as a charming and completely fresh portrait of an unforgettable heroine.
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Convenience Store Woman
von Sayaka Murata
The English-language debut of one of Japan's most talented contemporary writers, selling over 650,000 copies there,Convenience Store Woman is the heartwarming and surprising story of thirty-six-year-old Tokyo resident Keiko Furukura. Keiko has never fit in, neither in her family, nor in school, but when at the age of eighteen she begins working at the Hiiromachi branch of "Smile Mart," she finds peace and purpose in her life. In the store, unlike anywhere else, she understands the rules of social interaction--many are laid out line by line in the store's manual--and she does her best to copy the dress, mannerisms, andspeech of her colleagues, playing the part of a "normal" person excellently, more or less. Managers come and go, but Keiko stays at the store for eighteen years. It's almost hard to tell where the store ends and she begins. Keiko is very happy, but the people close to her, from her family to her coworkers, increasingly pressure her to find a husband, and to start a proper career, prompting her to take desperate action... A brilliant depiction of an unusual psyche and a world hidden from view,Convenience Store Woman is an ironic and sharp-eyed look at contemporary work culture and the pressures to conform, as well as a charming and completely fresh portrait of an unforgettable heroine.
Aktuelle Rezensionen(8)
Rezension von George Patrick HaneYesterday, an autistic student in my class broke down in tears. She wasn't crying because she was sick, but because she had to leave early. To her, staying in class meant being 'like the other children.' Being normal. When I started reading Convenience Store Woman, I was deeply moved by the protagonist's similar longing to belong. For her, the convenience store is not just a calm and controlled microcosm; it holds an almost religious quality, giving her a sense of purpose. Into this calmness, an incel-like antagonist introduces a sharp dissonance. However, from that point on, I felt the protagonist became less psychologically consistent. While the concept of mimesis is laid out fantastically—and one could argue her judgmental shift is a result of this mimicry—it felt to me as though the author began using her to explain the book's themes, rather than letting her speak to confront the reader with the societal critique. And you know what? That's okay. Not everything has to be vague or read between the lines. The way the book made me question what it means to be "normal" is so impressively and densely executed.
Rezension von Céline Döhler3,5⭐️
Rezension von ChiaraWas ein Buch: kurzweilig, lustig, interessant und eigenartig auf die beste Art und Weise. Ich hab’s in einem Tag durchgelesen und konnte nicht mehr aufhören. Zwar wusste ich nicht wirklich wohin das Buch möchte, es war irgendetwas zwischen Gesellschaftskritik und Sensibilisisierung für Menschen auf dem Spektrum (es wurde zwar nie direkt gesagt, doch es wurde ziemlich deutlich, dass sich Keiko auf dem Spektrum befindet), aber das war gar nicht schlimm. Das Buch ist so schön geschrieben, es macht einfach Spaß die Hauptfigur in ihrem Leben, mit ihren Beobachtungen der Welt um sie, zu begleiten. Also ich würde das Buch empfehlen, wenn man es mag, dass nicht viel in einem Buch passiert, sondern einfach Interesse an anderen Sichtweisen auf das Leben hat.
Rezension von IrongrettaA brilliant depiction of an individual grappling with society‘s unspoken rules, written with excellent humor and showing really satisfying character development. Absolutely loved it!
Rezension von ManaAfter reading this book I'm just completely confused about the blurbs on the back. What the hell is supposed to be funny about the story??? Nothing in here was funny in any way. It's actually a little sad, in my opinion. But no other book ever made me feel so seen. Keiko is very obviously written as an autistic woman, and just like her I also work in a grocery store. I get her. I totally get her. Just wanting to concentrate and do your work well, learning all the quirks of the store and what the customers want depending on weather or time. God damn I get it. And the fact that no one else really seems to understand you for being a little different. I think I need to really sit with this book for some time. Nothing about that life is funny.. I loved reading this.