A review: Convenience store woman, Sayaka Murata
How I review books;
Top notes - a first impression. A practical summary of everything you need to know including a completely biased view on how much I liked the cover.
Middle notes – the foundation. Readability / structure and characters.
Base notes – the impression. Interpretation and everything else.
Top notes:
A short book at 163 pages, and a perfect book to read in one sitting.
I like pink, I like fish, I like the little soy sauce fish bottles that come in takeaway boxes – I love the cover. You will no doubt find this book being photographed all over bookstagram. The cover even feels nice – I don’t know how to describe the feeling of a cover being nice or not nice… but the book (or version that I own) has is a matte background with ‘shiny’ detail. I even managed to read it without creasing the spine.
Middle notes:
A really enjoyable read, you are immersed in the descriptions of not only the characters but the places that they find themselves. It is one of those books that if made into a tv adaptation I will be disappointed, purely for the fact that I don’t want to overwrite what I imagined with the tv adaptation version of the characters and scenes.
You find yourself thinking you may know where the story is heading and then there is a complete change in view and pace.
The main character, Keiko – confused by others, mimics those around her to ‘fit in’. The book is scattered with some darker moments but the main theme (for me) that came through was; finding purpose and security in routine and structure – even when this goes against societal norms and what others may want for you.
A beautiful, cyclical read (your definition of beauty may be different to mine). I really enjoyed reading this book.
Base notes:
Primarily based in a convenience store – the Smile Mart outside Hiiromachi Station.
An uncomplicated view of our roles in society. Based in Japan – a woman not conforming to societies’ depictions of what is considered to be normal. She also does not understand others, all she knows is that she thinks differently.
Whilst reading you feel the pressures to conform and the feeling of being / knowing you are different. Have you ever been asked; ‘when are you getting married’, ‘when are you having children’, ‘when are you going to get a proper job’ despite being perfectly happy with where you are in life and your circumstances? Expect a lot of that in this book.
‘SHE’S FAR HAPPIER THINKING HER SISTER IS NORMAL, EVEN IF SHE HAS A LOT OF PROBLEMS, THAN SHE IS HAVING AN ABNORMAL SISTER FOR WHOM EVERYTHING IS FINE. FOR HER, NORMALITY – HOWEVER MESSY – IS FAR MORE COMPREHENSIBLE.’ P.133
You (or I) begin to feel sorry for those in the story who have conformed to societal norms, their views and opinions completely disregarding of Keiko’s feelings, who as the story unfolds – knows exactly what she wants.
The book left me wondering and thinking about the importance of not minimising your ‘worth’ in society to how ‘productive’ you are against 3 main areas; marriage, wage and children. It sends a reminder of the times you have pressured yourself into conformity in these areas. Also, not to name names but don’t let someone move in and live in your bath – it won’t fix anything.
Ms ASK