Convenience Store Woman Novel's Review

 Convenience Store Woman

The book I read in early 2021. This book changed my perspective on the views of people who want to live in peace. This book is written by Sayaka Murata. The simple and not too thick cover of the book stole my attention to read it to the end. Who would have thought that in 2016 this book has sold more than 600 thousand in Japan and won the Akutagawa prize.

Keiko Furukara, a 36-year-old woman, has worked for 18 years at a convenience store. The people around her were confused as to why the woman was able to stay with the job for half her life and did not choose another, more established job. In fact, she didn't even think about finding a partner, getting married, and having children. This is what makes Keiko feel ostracized and considered different by society.

As we get older, the pressure to become a 'normal' human being, such as finding a steady job, finding a partner, and getting married increases. Infact, Keiko is comfortable with her current condition, but people say otherwise. Life demands that Keiko be normal, even though she doesn't understand what "normal" looks like. She also tries every way, so that she can be accepted as a completely 'normal person', by trying to do things outside his comfort zone.

Indeed, what kind of life will await Keiko outside her comfort zone? Will she succeed in stepping up to meet the demands of this 'normal' life?

This book is very interesting to read, it teaches us to do what we love without listening to other people's comments as long as "our actions don't bother them." Books that are very related to social life add to the appeal of this book. The story about the love story between humans and their work against the stigma of society, is not a story plot that we often encounter. This book is suitable for those of you who like light and unique reading