Dec 22 Read Review: Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

Book Review: Convenience Store Woman

Mehak Mathur | 26th December

Do you ever get so influenced by social media bookworms into reading a book that you would stop everything to read THAT book? I am guilty! This is how I landed up reading The Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata.

A brief introduction about the author of the book, Ms Sayaka Murata has worked as a convenience store worker for eighteen years till 2018.In interviews with the media , she said that the time she spent working at the convenience store gave her the time to write books.

Let's talk about the convenience store: it's a grocery store that is situated near you, so it's convenient. They are a massive hit with the South East Asians. Did you know there are more seven-elevens (Chain of convenience stores) in Bangkok, Thailand than in the whole of the United States?

Sayaka Murata,in the book, through the principle character of Keiko, is delivering one simple and clear message: “Hey, it's okay to be odd”. She explores the role of the society and how it impacts the individuals living in the system by forcing them to follow traditional norms. As a consequence of which rebels are born and they are outcasted.

We are all just cogs of society.

“At that moment, for the first time ever, I felt I’d become a part of the machine of society. I’ve been reborn, I thought. That day, I actually became a normal cog in society.”- Keiko

Keiko, the protagonist, has been working at the convenience store for over 18 years. In various instances we are told about her dedication towards the store. From maintaining a strict regime- following the store’s rules, helping the customers and maintaining the shelves to continuously thinking about the store even at home. Her workaholic characteristics resembles the average employee of most companies.

Following instructions; losing touch on self

When you are a child you are fearless, curious about the world, and don't hold back from saying or doing what you want to do. Keiko was exactly like this. I mean we all were like this!Keiko’s intentions behind her actions were innocent but it soon became discomforting to those around her, noticing that she stops being her natural self and begins to follow others. She picks ques from her colleagues' behavior at the convenience store and delivers the actions during her normal interactions.

For existing and engaging with the world around her, she continuously feels the need to have a list of instructions which she can follow and adhere. She is seen often clueless in the situations which demand her to defend herself, and her actions and takes support of her sister’s words of advice.

Society ostracises outliners:

The main theme of this book is the relationship between the odd-individuals and the society.Keiko is made to feel time and again that she needs to be exactly like everyone else to be happy. She needs to be settled and look for a proper job. Every tertiary actor around makes her situation their concern. They push her to re-think about her position in the society and how she is not normal.

Comparing the story line with my own situation, I think most of us choose options in our lives that are conventional and safe. We don’t take risks. Even our parents want us to do that. Those who choose to take the non-conventional route disrupt the societal norms altogether for which they are ostracised from the community itself.

Sometimes, they live up to the expectations from a great success story and sometimes they don't.

Keiko makes adjustments to fit in, however. She decides to ‘adopt’ a fellow ex-convenience store employee. I used the word adopt because the man did not do anything much to help Keiko expect to feed off her savings. But he becomes a good excuse for her to escape from societal pressures.

Lastly, and personally the time that I read this book felt so right. After a heavy day of redesigning the website I would take 20 mins of my day to devote to this book. At certain sections, I felt connected to Keiko in a special way. I hope you would do it too, I urge you to read this book as soon as you can!

Arigatoassiamasé Keiko and Sayaka!

The Convenience Store Woman is available on Amazon India and Flipkart. Readers, can also reach out to me, personally, if they want to purchase the book. Kindly reach out through the chat box system on the website, or Instagram DM, or via email: violet.valley31@gmail.com