Convenience Store Woman

by Sayaka Murata
Convenience Store Woman cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Contemporary Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 420
  • Added: 2025-09-11
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • ISBN: 9781846276859
  • Publisher: Portobello Books
  • Published: 2018-07-05
  • Formats: 14
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

Keiko Furukura has never fit in with her family or society, but she finds peace and purpose working at a convenience store in Tokyo, where she follows the store’s manual to navigate social interactions and maintain a sense of normalcy. For eighteen years, the store has been her world, blending her identity with its routines and rules. Despite her happiness, those around her pressure her to find a conventional career and get married, challenging her contentment and prompting her to take drastic steps. This novel offers a sharp-eyed, ironic look at contemporary work culture and societal expectations in Japan, portraying an unusual psyche that struggles with human connection and conformity. It is a darkly comic yet poignant exploration of neurodiversity, social alienation, and the search for belonging, vividly capturing the life of a woman who finds meaning in the mundane and questions what it means to be 'normal.'

Reviews
catherinerosegunther.com · Catherine Rose Gunther · 2025-04-15
thoughtful 4.00

The review reflects on the novel as a fascinating yet sad exploration of societal frustrations and how individuals are treated when they deviate from norms, emphasizing the emotional depth behind the protagonist’s experience.

Catherine finds the book a poignant reflection on the isolating effects of societal expectations and the difficulty of fitting into predetermined roles, especially for those who are different. She appreciates the emotional sadness underlying the story, which reveals how society can be unforgiving and unkind to people who do not conform, making it a thoughtful and moving read.

Quick quotes

    A fascinating yet sad read.

    Highlights frustrating aspects of society and how we treat people.

    An emotional exploration of social conformity and individuality.

Reddit · r/books · 2023-09-11
unique 3.75

The review appreciates the novel's unusual perspective on the world and its odd but engaging narrative style, highlighting the protagonist’s unique worldview as a key strength.

This Reddit discussion values the fresh and different perspective offered by the protagonist, which challenges typical storytelling conventions and provides insight into a life that many readers might not otherwise consider. The reviewer found the book odd yet compelling, noting that its distinctiveness makes it memorable and worth reading for those interested in non-traditional narratives.

Quick quotes

    I enjoyed the different perspective on the world.

    Odd book for sure…but not nearly as odd as Earthlings.

    Offers a unique worldview that is engaging and thought-provoking.

The Guardian · 2018-08-07
intriguing 4.25

The review praises the novel for its sublimely weird tone and its sharp critique of societal norms, appreciating how the story literally mirrors its title by exploring the life of a convenience store worker who defies conventional expectations.

This review highlights the novel's unique and strange atmosphere that effectively captures the alienation and conformity pressures within modern society. It appreciates how the protagonist’s life as a convenience store worker symbolizes a deeper commentary on social roles and individuality, making the story both compelling and thought-provoking for readers who enjoy literary works that challenge societal norms.

Quick quotes

    Sublimely weird.

    Not all novel titles manage so very literally to describe the contents.

    A sharp-eyed look at contemporary work culture and the pressures we face.

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