Review – Convenience Store Woman

This was another find on Bookshop.org, and one of the more interesting books I’ve read lately. Written by Sayaka Murata, the basic theme of this short novel is, well, the life of a convenience store employee in Japan. The protagonist, Keiko, has worked in the same convenience store for eighteen years. Now in her late thirties and single, the store is her entire world.

The story follows her day-to-day routine and shows just how committed she is to her job. She has outlasted every other employee at the location, including managers (the store is currently on its eighth manager). Despite her overzealous on-the-job demeanor, no one really knows much about Keiko or her personal life. 

She lives alone in a tiny apartment. She rarely socializes, and when she does she has to lie to cover up her ‘weirdness’. Most of her acquaintances are married and have children, so she is the odd one out. Luckily, Keiko’s sister understands her and provides her with excuses to use in conversations when awkward questions arise.

But Keiko’s world changes when a new employee starts working at the store, a young man with a very strange view of life and relationships. She begins to change, and she can’t decide if it’s for the better or worse. 

Convenience Store Woman was a bestseller when first released, was loved by critics, and won several awards. I can see why. It’s a fascinating story, different from most anything else I’ve read. To me, the story broadly covers two topics. One is Keiko’s apparent autism. I’m not an expert, of course, but her mannerisms, the way she communicates, and her actions are all reminiscent of someone who is on the spectrum. It’s an interesting glimpse into her life.

But also, I think the story is about conformity, buying into the corporate world and immersing ourselves in it. When work becomes the main focus of our lives, everything else falls to the wayside. Do we miss anything when that happens? Or is the simple fact that we are content in our routine enough for us to flourish? Keiko’s immersion into the convenience store world felt claustrophobic to me, but at the same time I could see how it brought her comfort and stability. 

This was a quick read – only 172 pages – and the narrative was lively and interesting. I definitely recommend this book as one to add to your summer reading list. 

RB