Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

Keiko Furukuna, a 36 years old woman, has been working in a convenience store for 18 years. She never fits in anywhere. She likes it here because there is a rule book to follow unlike in real life where she doesn’t know what to do. She is happy, content but society forces her to find a decent job and a husband.

At first, I had doubts about reading it. But when @phoenix_ever_after recommended this book and said that it’s for misfits like us, I was convinced.

I loved this book. Its witty language and humor on handling such critical issues, was a fresh perspective for me. The writer attacks on the so called societal norms and standards with a new point of view and unique settings.

“I guess anyone who devotes their life to fighting society in order to be free must be pretty sincere about suffering.”

It felt like she was talking to me, like giving advice. I am not going against everything, yet everyday I feel like an alien to the people whom I have known for years. It’s suffocating not knowing where I belong to.

“You eliminate the parts of your life that others find strange – maybe that’s what everyone. means when they say they want to cure me.”

Well, there’s a debate about Keiko being autistic or not. Some of her behaviors or actions may raise questions. Especially, where everyone wants to cure her, to fix her.

But also, doesn’t society want that to all? Who are different, not fit in with society approved lists?

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