By MWNUK team

 

The Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata was the chosen book for our bi-monthly MWN Hub bookclub. It has been described by others as a feminist rally for trusting in yourself. Of those who took part in the book discussion held at our MWNUK head office, four have shared their views on whether it is a feminist outcry and how they found the story.

 

Affaf writes:

Having grown up immersed in Japanese manga comics, I expected Convenience Store Woman to explore aspects of Japan's social hierarchy. However, as I read, I realized that the themes and concepts in this book are universally relevant, particularly when it comes to challenging societal 'norms.' The book is easy to read, with some cringe-worthy moments, and features a very likable, yet 'unfitting,' protagonist.

 

 

Jawaher writes:

Although short in terms of other reads, The Convenience Store Woman is surprisingly thought-provoking and insightful into Japanese culture and the patriarchy and societal expectation, especially those placed on women. The lead’s, Keiko Frurkura, constant need to explain and justify where she is at in her life, for the choices she has made, and how she chooses to live her life, is unsettling and disheartening. The constant pressure for women to conform to certain standards and to move onto different stages once society has deemed them ready to evolve is perfectly written - to the point I wanted to scream! Although, Keiko's logical yet unconventional responses to how she wishes to live her life and navigate situations cause those around her to supposedly 'worry' and 'help', only exacerbates the need that society has to make sure women are on the so-called right path and one that is seen as socially appropriate for a woman of her age. Despite advances in all aspects of society, it is glaringly obvious (and executed amazingly by the author) that some parts of society remain entrenched in backward thinking when it comes to women and still feel the need to pilot how women live.

 

It poses profound questions for why other women, not just men, feel encapsulated to intervene even through the guise of what they see as 'helping' their fellow human into fitting the mould. Why is a woman working comfortably and happy with her decisions, so worrying for those around her? Who made this mould and why do women have to shoulder the burden of not only polishing their own image in public, but also the burden of a how a man is seen?

 

Overall, this book is very eye-opening, especially into the far-east culture and societal customs, and how perhaps maybe the only thing that is not new is the universal experience of women and their never-ending, forced participation in the rat race to constantly justify and prove their lives are socially and customarily acceptable. 

 

The only thing that is not new is the universal experience of women and their never-ending, forced participation in the rat race to constantly justify and prove their lives are socially and customarily acceptable. 

Neelam writes:

I think Keiko is strong, independent, self-aware and very resilient. She tries very hard to preserve her way of life and to not let it be compromised. 

 

On a more personal note, being a parent of a neuro-divergent child, I admire Keiko’s determination to protect her way of life in a world that doesn’t understand her perspective. On the other hand, I feel sad that Keiko is so alone in her journey, that she has to conceal who she really is and needs to find ways to protect the life she has built for herself because society doesn’t understand. 

 

In the store, Keiko finds a place where she feels a sense of belonging. The order, routine, predictability of the store makes sense to her and she makes sense by being part of it. She loves the store, she lives and breathes it. She is totally occupied with the store in every sense - she even sleeps thinking about it. The store is a place where she can function very well. The store gives her a sense of belonging, identity and purpose - something all humans need. I am happy Keiko found such a place. 

 

From a young age Keiko learns that her way of looking at things are not acceptable to others (i.e her family and her friends). So, Keiko learns to stay quiet and not to share her thoughts. Family and friends want to ‘fix’ her. Her younger sister is her ‘helper’, and she teaches her things she can and cannot say. Keiko mimics her friends and learns what and how to say things that are acceptable in different situations.

 

It must be exhausting for Keiko - she is so alone - but that is her strategy to survive in a world that doesn’t understand her. 

 

Keiko is aware of societal expectations and doesn’t want to cause any issues for herself so she enters in to a deal with Shiraha in her attempt to preserve her way of life. The author successfully portrays how society measures the worth of individuals based on 3 key indicators: 1. Well- paid job, 2. Being married, 3. Having children. Anyone who does not achieve or aspire to achieve this is seen as a failure and abnormal. Keiko is aware of these societal expectations and she strategises ways to preserve her way of life, which does not fit with any of the above. 

 

If you don’t behave, act, achieve like others; family, friends and society will try to fix you rather than learn/respect/accept your differences and life choices.

The author successfully portrays how society measures the worth of individuals based on 3 key indicators: 1. Well- paid job, 2. Being married, 3. Having children. 

Umma writes:

I had my reservations about the Convenience Store Woman. It’s not a book that would capture my interest, I had admittedly judged worth of the story by its title. Putting aside my doubts, I wasn’t expecting my senses to kick into action from the few opening lines of the story. You’re intensely drawn into Keiko’s world: it’s partly sensory led, physiologically led and seen from her lens. You observe how she conscientiously strives to be considered normal and accepted, learning from early childhood experiences to mask her true self. Keiko comes across as monotone and lacking in agency. It is this imposed lack of self-agency that makes her vulnerable to being coerced into accepting the terms of her ‘fake’ relationship with Shiraha.

Introspectively, the way Keiko models her behaviour to fit in has made me think about how I’ve done this too. As a visibly Muslim woman, in previous working environments, I have modelled my behaviour to fit in because of my visible difference. There have been in certain circumstances where I have realised my hijabi presence solicited stares that impressed foreigner here.

 

The book does well in demonstrating the conflict between societal pressures and individualism. However, I still couldn’t understand how it could be described as a feminist rally for trusting in yourself until the end. Finally, when Keoiko takes ownership of herself, accepting who she is and realising what the convenience store means to her and how it empowers her - gives her purpose and stability.

 

I would have liked an epilogue to show how her life followed after she made the epic decision of accepting herself and who she isn’t. I felt the ending was too rushed, where it reached a climatic point and then suddenly flatlined. For that reason, I don’t think I’ll be reading this book again. But nonetheless, I would recommend it, as it is a cry for valuing your own self-worth: know who you are and who you aren’t.