A review by ntvenessa
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

challenging inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Add this to the list of reasons why you should read translated fiction more often. This is a fantastic novella exploring the value of ultimately deciding your own pathway, especially when it directly defies the seeming dichotomy of society's plans for us: marriage and career. Supposedly having one or the other, or both, certifies a person as normal. But there are aspirations beyond this that are individual to the person, and of which society struggles to understand. For such a short read, Murata manages to contrast responses to outsiders who reject the pillars of marriage and career. It is thought provoking without being pretentious.
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