Wow, neither the summary of this book nor the cover do it justice. An oddball read that threw me for a loop at first--this book is short and will leave you in love with and yearning to know more about the main character, Keiko Furukura. Keiko is a quirky, misunderstood woman in her mid-thirties who has worked at the same convenience store for 18 years. The story follows her present-day, daily struggles with fitting in, having successful conversations with people, and doing well (just) enough that her family stays out of her business. I'm left thinking that Keiko may be aromantic/asexual--and that representation in literature is refreshing. Recommend to fans of Otessa Moshfegh, Jhumpa Lahiri, and maybe The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.Publisher Description:
Sayaka Murata brilliantly captures the atmosphere of the familiar convenience store that is so much a part of life in Japan. With some laugh-out-loud moments prompted by the disconnect between Keiko's thoughts and those of the people around her, she provides a sharp look at Japanese society and the pressure to conform, as well as penetrating insights into the female mind.