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saomah5566's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Misogyny, Stalking, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Stalking
carlytenille's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Stalking
anh_read's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Sharp and witty. The novel invites you to rethink societal norms and pressures.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Ableism, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Stalking
bridge_to_narnia's review
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The first half of the book was very interesting and insightful. Once a certain character became prevalent to the plot, the book was much less enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Toxic relationship
Minor: Ableism, Stalking, Animal death, and Toxic relationship
pandaintheshelves's review against another edition
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.0
I gotta start saying this one was hard to read and even more difficult to review, but I'll try my best 🙌
💖 What I liked:
✨It was nice to read a book about a neurodivergent character with a first person POV. We are never told exactly what flavour of neurospicy the protagonist is, but from what is described I'm guessing autism.
✨ I enjoyed the insightful critique of the societal norms and peer pressure to conform. There was a powerful message there, concerning how we're expected to fill a certain mold, to perform at a certain level, at the cost of our mental and physical health sometimes 🥺
🥹 It was heartbreaking to read how she was losing herself in that process 😭 Watching her losing perspective of who she really was and what she really wanted was difficult, ngl. And how the world around her became more "accepting" the more she distanced herself from her wants and needs infuriated the heck out of me 😔
📚 What I missed (this is mostly based on my personal preferences, so take it with a grain of sault, please)
🫂As a neurodivergent woman myself it's a bit tiring to only see autistic coded characters with an overwhelming lack of empathy when we know this is not (as we thought at some point) an inherent trait. Especially not in AFAB individuals, because most of us are socialized differently (amongst many other factors).
🤔Having said that, I understand neurodivergency and autism itself is part of a spectrum, and I'm not invalidating the author or anyone else's experience. I'm just saying it's the representation I've seen the most and I think this could have been a great opportunity to go in a different way🤔
🎁 Wrapping up:
🙏This book offers an opportunity to learn about how masking works and why is so useful and harmful at the same time when you're a neurodivergent person. It also has very funny moments and a hopeful and powerful message about embracing and loving yourself.
💖 What I liked:
✨It was nice to read a book about a neurodivergent character with a first person POV. We are never told exactly what flavour of neurospicy the protagonist is, but from what is described I'm guessing autism.
✨ I enjoyed the insightful critique of the societal norms and peer pressure to conform. There was a powerful message there, concerning how we're expected to fill a certain mold, to perform at a certain level, at the cost of our mental and physical health sometimes 🥺
🥹 It was heartbreaking to read how she was losing herself in that process 😭 Watching her losing perspective of who she really was and what she really wanted was difficult, ngl. And how the world around her became more "accepting" the more she distanced herself from her wants and needs infuriated the heck out of me 😔
📚 What I missed (this is mostly based on my personal preferences, so take it with a grain of sault, please)
🫂As a neurodivergent woman myself it's a bit tiring to only see autistic coded characters with an overwhelming lack of empathy when we know this is not (as we thought at some point) an inherent trait. Especially not in AFAB individuals, because most of us are socialized differently (amongst many other factors).
🤔Having said that, I understand neurodivergency and autism itself is part of a spectrum, and I'm not invalidating the author or anyone else's experience. I'm just saying it's the representation I've seen the most and I think this could have been a great opportunity to go in a different way🤔
🎁 Wrapping up:
🙏This book offers an opportunity to learn about how masking works and why is so useful and harmful at the same time when you're a neurodivergent person. It also has very funny moments and a hopeful and powerful message about embracing and loving yourself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Stalking
glitterdeww's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I need new vocabulary to accurately describe the immense treat that is Convenience Store Woman. “Mundane yet strange,” feels far too broad. The vibes of this story feel like a symphony of everyday sounds, a cognitively intimate awareness of other humans, and the comfort of allowing oneself to be a small piece of a well-functioning machine.
Murata’s acclaimed short novel follows Keiko Furukura, a middle aged woman in Japan that has worked at a convenience store for 18 years. She is described as unusual, some type of social outcast. Through her point of view, the reader gains access to her uncomfortable yet astute inner workings. The additional characters serve as everything from pained yet caring family, to hateful and emotionally blind fellow outcasts.
As the societal criticism of Keiko’s life choices is further explored, I was left with only frustration for her sake. Keiko has found routine, peace, and connectedness through her work. If the general tasks she did to take up her time were done in service to a church or nunnery, no one would bat an eye. This story does well to lay out hypocrisy and prejudice in a lovely and succinct manner.
Also, the back of my book contained Murata’s essay that first appeared in Literally Hub on June 14th, 2018. I was rolling, omg. It's just as fantastic and well worth the read.
Murata’s acclaimed short novel follows Keiko Furukura, a middle aged woman in Japan that has worked at a convenience store for 18 years. She is described as unusual, some type of social outcast. Through her point of view, the reader gains access to her uncomfortable yet astute inner workings. The additional characters serve as everything from pained yet caring family, to hateful and emotionally blind fellow outcasts.
As the societal criticism of Keiko’s life choices is further explored, I was left with only frustration for her sake. Keiko has found routine, peace, and connectedness through her work. If the general tasks she did to take up her time were done in service to a church or nunnery, no one would bat an eye. This story does well to lay out hypocrisy and prejudice in a lovely and succinct manner.
Also, the back of my book contained Murata’s essay that first appeared in Literally Hub on June 14th, 2018. I was rolling, omg. It's just as fantastic and well worth the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Gaslighting and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, and Stalking
xkrille's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What a strange book, and I mean that in the best possible way. I enjoyed it from start to finish. It was humorous but also made my tummy ache at times.
Keiko was a great main character. You understand her, her actions, and her thoughts, even though sometimes she can have a not-so-average mindset. Despite her uniqueness, I still found myself sympathizing with her and reflecting on her.
I think it was a great story, but I do not think I fully understand the ending. Not that the ending was not good and fitting. I just do not think I fully understand what the ending is trying to say. That is a me problem and not the book's fault.
Keiko was a great main character. You understand her, her actions, and her thoughts, even though sometimes she can have a not-so-average mindset. Despite her uniqueness, I still found myself sympathizing with her and reflecting on her.
I think it was a great story, but I do not think I fully understand the ending. Not that the ending was not good and fitting. I just do not think I fully understand what the ending is trying to say. That is a me problem and not the book's fault.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Ableism, and Sexism
Moderate: Stalking and Toxic relationship
readingwithtemperance's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was unputtdownable. I read it in just a few hours. Keiko's inner monolog was just so interesting. I found her work very relaxing and comforting.
This book really sheds a light on how demanding society can be. And how we put ourselves and others under so much pressure.
Shiraha on the other hand was SO annoying. And I really could have gone my whole life without meeting him.
This book really sheds a light on how demanding society can be. And how we put ourselves and others under so much pressure.
Shiraha on the other hand was SO annoying. And I really could have gone my whole life without meeting him.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Ableism
Moderate: Stalking and Toxic relationship
slaywithsteph's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, and Mental illness
Moderate: Animal death, Toxic friendship, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
Antiasexualismmaddykes13's review
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Mental illness, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Ableism
Moderate: Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Stalking, Bullying, and Cursing
Minor: Sexual harassment, Animal death, Child death, and Animal cruelty