“I Still Don’t Know How to Be a Normal Person”: Review of Convenience Store Woman

Written by Kristy Dolson

It may surprise you to know, readers, that I consider myself to be something of a social outcast. I have spent the majority of my life as a misfit in regards to the reigning social norms and expectations. Moving to Korea, where being a foreign language instructor confers the social outcast status as par for the course, certainly has not improved my situation. But this misfit status is a big part of why I take such delight in books. And I take particular delight when I come across characters with whom I can connect over our shared misfit status. Keiko Furukura, the protagonist of Sayaka Murata’s novel Convenience Store Woman, is one such delightful misfit.

On display in an Edinburgh book shop, the short novel caught my eye because of its bright yellow and pink cover. Taking place in a modern Japanese city where, much like in Korea, convenience stores can be found everywhere, quirky 36-year-old Furukura exists only for her part-time job. She understood her misfit status from a young age, so she withdrew from her classmates to observe and learn to copy the mannerisms and speech of the people around her in order to survive. However, this strategy failed to completely lift her outcast status, as her parents and teachers were forever trying to “cure” her. That is, until she stumbled upon a newly opened convenience store hiring part-time workers. In the comforting stability and predictability of the convenience store world, Furukura took solace as a useful member of society – for 18 years.

This whole book resonated with me. I found it utterly charming and intensely readable for many reasons. First of all, as a proud alumnus of Tim Hortons (think Canadian Dunkin’ Donuts) with three years of service, I could really empathize with Keiko’s dedication to her “dead end” workplace and society’s misunderstanding and contempt for her decision to remain there for so long. Secondly, I could absolutely understand Furukura’s social inquiries and conclusions! She and I share a lack of ambition to form any kind of romantic relationship – especially marriage – and have children. Thirdly, and most importantly, it was extremely refreshing to read about a female protagonist who observes the behaviors of others and is beyond caring what society thinks of her.

“At last,” I rejoiced while reading, “a woman who views the world in a logical, efficient way, who rejects traditional conventions and doesn’t end up married, institutionalized, or murdered!” I love how she defies the norm – consistently, logically, and unashamedly – and refuses to bow to pressure exerted by her family, friends, and co-workers. She simply identifies her goal and sticks to her efficient routine in order to achieve it. In a world of ambitious go-getters driven by biological need, it is nice to see a person stripped of ambition, simply trying to survive in this crazy world.

Despite her bestseller status in Japan, this is Murata’s first book to be translated into English. The story is told in the first person from Furukura’s perspective and, through Murata’s precise writing style, delivers a deadpan narrative that is full of poignant and profound observations. Originally published in 2016 in Japan and then translated for international release in 2018, Murata has given voice to the minority of people who shun society and experience fulfillment in a unique way. I hope we can have the pleasure of seeing more Murata books in translation in the future.

The Author: Kristy Dolson lived in South Korea for five years before taking a year off to travel, read, and spend time with her family in Canada and Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Education and now lives in Yeosu, where she splits her time between teaching at the new Jeollanamdo International Education Institute and reading as much as she can.