Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Convenience Store Woman



Convenience Store Woman is such an interesting read. I picked this up after having heard good things and also because of my fascination these days with Japanese culture and society. Keiko in this story is a thirty-six year old single working in a Smile Mart- she's been there since she eighteen. She's not married, never had sex - everyone thinks she's weird or needs to be fixed. Keiko though is happy the way she is- and lives for her job. The story is a very heartfelt examination of conformity and social expectations- with a look at Japan's unique challenges- and yet ironically Keiko relies in the very strict social order in the sense that her existence is predicated on the store. 

I saw a review that said Keiko may be on the autism spectrum, and I suppose that's possible. She definitely has thoughts that are out there, such as when she visits and thinks- when the baby is is being fussy- that a knife would help with that. It's shocking, and there are moments like that- but don't we all have shocking thoughts at times that we simply suppress? Some of us, say those on the spectrum or someone with OCD, may have a little more trouble with intrusive thoughts like that, although in her case she doesn't feel particularly remorseful over those thoughts, but she does know not to share them! At any rate, there are just moments like that where we realize Keiko is wired differently. And I don't say that to judge her- rather, I think this book examines- is anyone normal?  

Another topic here is societal expectations. Men who don't work, women who don't want kids- anyone who is outside the "normal" parameters- and this includes a thirtysomething Japanese woman working at Smile Mart. One of the supporting players keeps mentioning how we haven't progressed very much beyond prehistoric times- society has rules and if you don't play, or are a social dropout, you get ostracized. There's a very heartfelt look at the societal norms- and how we may judge others even if we think we're forward thinking or are very tolerating. 

 This would make an excellent discussion topic or book club book- and in spite of the often incisive humor, I'm not sure if I loved this story. It gets you thinking but as some reviews have said- couldn't it have gone further? The end especially- I'm not sure how I feel. I don't know if it's a triumph of individualism or a depressing defeat. I do know, though, that I'll be thinking about this a long time. 

27 comments:

  1. Japanese literature is often unique and kind of out there. In my years of employment, it is all about "playing the game". Conformity is what we do in civilisations

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  2. I am seeing more of that in books, where there are characters who veer from standard social expectations. Sounds a bit to literary for me (I like uplifting reads), but it's good to hear it gave you a lot to ponder.

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  3. Hooray for a focus on characters who don't fall within societal norms. Bring on all those interesting, quirky characters - or just people who choose to live on their own terms.

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  4. This does sound like a good book club book. So much to think about in it.

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  5. I've been reading more *book club* style books lately. I never really know how I feel about them but they stay in my head long after as I ponder how it all ended.

    Karen @For What It's Worth

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  6. This sounds like such an interesting read Greg. I’m going to see if my library has a copy. Great review!

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  7. I agree this sounds like a great book club read. Thanks for putting it on my radar, Greg.

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  8. Que pena que no te agrado del todo. Lo dejo pasar te mando un beso.

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  9. This really does sound like a wonderful book club read. I could see lots of interesting discussions springing from it.

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  10. It's always great to find a book that's going to make you think, especially outside the box. I have watched various drama where of course, there is always that character who works at the all night quickie mart. And of course, the character is on the lowest status. Even here, I feel for those who have to work in those places, especially when you go in and they are practically in a cage with the cash register. Thanks for the wonderful review!


    Caitlin&Megan
    Ivy&Ellie
    Carefully Listening
    Ellie
    The Book Group
    Holly&Stevie
    Cherry Blossoms
    Better Left Unsaid

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  11. I like the sound of this one. I like books about societal differences. Very interesting.

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  12. This is definitely a thought-provoking book based on the topics discussed. And Keiko was such an intriguing character.

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  13. I always enjoy books that can spark a conversation. A knife would help with that, huh? Yeah, I can see some debate lol

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  14. I really liked this book! I agree that it's quirky and not the most uplifting reading experience, but it does stick with you. I read it months ago and still think about it sometimes.

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  15. I've seen very mixed reviews of this book. It sounds like it's thought-provoking at least.

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  16. This sounds like a fascinating read even if you couldn't decide how it made you feel in the end. Great review!

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  17. This sounds like an interesting read! As someone with OCD and who struggles with intrusive thoughts, I would be curious to see how this author portrays such things.

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  18. That does sound like an interesting book.

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  19. This one is new to me and I do like the sound of it. I enjoy books with odd characters and I think that Keiko sounds very interesting.

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  20. I liked this one too! I am glad I gave it a go

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  21. Why do I like this cover so much? But yeah I agree, NO ONE is "normal", that isn't a thing, and as long as she isn't *actually* silencing babies with knives, you do you, girl! I hate that whole concept of like, "fixing" people's quirks, you know? This sounds fun, though it's a bummer that the ending was disappointing!

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  22. I have had this on my TBR for a long time. I want to read it next year, for sure. 📗

    That's one thing I hate about everything having a "spectrum" now. People will have one small thing that may or may not be part of a diagnosis and they think they, or someone else has it. I will tell you, from having a nephew with Aspergers, working on two autism related studies at my old job, and working with several autistic teens in Sebastian's old Kid's Theater company, that if they have intrusive thoughts they are incapable of keeping them to themselves. They don't have those kind of filters. 😐

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I'm excited to read this now. ☺


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  23. Oh, this sounds interesting, especially for someone like me who loves Japan. I'll have to check it out.

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  24. I'm glad you reviewed this. I've been wondering if it's something I should read. I'm also fond of anything Japanese😁

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  25. Sounds really cool how this examines social norms, but seems to do it in a humanizing sort of way with the a look at this particular character.

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  26. I listened to the audio version of this novel and reviewed it. I wrote: " It's an interesting novel that examines the notion of what it means to fit into society, what it means to be normal, along with examining traditional gender and societal stereotypes about relationships, etc. Convenience Store Woman is a novel that definitely makes you think about what it means to "fit in" and feel a sense of "belonging" within one's culture/community."

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