I tried to expand my usual genres. I was reading an article about getting rid of your reading slump and this book was a recommendation. At the beginning I was quite reluctant but I decide it to give it a go.
The book present us Keiko Furukura, a woman who has struggled all his life trying to be part of society. To be honest it remind me of a book “The curious Incident of the Dog in the Nigh Time” It reminds me of Christopher, although in the book doesnt explicitly says that Furukura has some problems, the interactions with their family suggests that. She’s been working at the same convenience store for eighteen years and never had a boyfriend. That’s unusual for her parents, and really concerns her family. she doesn’t have friends or partners, she has been doing just one job this entire time, where she finds control, and safety, and she’s goot at.
What caught my attention was how throughout the book she recalls some incidents from her childhood that marked her, and the reasoning was logical, but the solutions wasnt what was expected causing problems to her and their family. So in order to avoid some problems for her parents she restrains herself.
Then the book presents Shiraha, another peculiar character who, at the begining is a desplicable man who judges everyone around him, expecting something for everyone else, while himself doesnt have a real job or a house, or even food. And keeps preaching about that we must fill a rol in society if thats not the case, you will marked.
“People who don’t fit into the village are expelled: men who don’t hunt, women who don’t give birth to children”
It’s this idea of “fit in” that catches Keiko’s attention, so against all odds, she proposes him to live together, she will provide him food and a roof. In this way, this give an image that of a functional marriage to society, and people will stop asking her the unconfortable questions why is she not married yet.
At the beginning everything is working as expected, also his sister seems so happy about this news.
If you really want to know how the book ends, I invite you to read it “Convenience Store Woman: A Novel” you will not regret it.
The culture behind “Irashamaiseee” (いらっしゃいませ)
This phrase caught my attention when I start reading the book. Every time someones enter the convenience store, a staff member say it to the customer, literally means “please do come”.
At beginning I thought that it was something dictated by the corporation that owns the store, but whas not the case, its a cultural practice aimed at making the guest feel valued and welcome.
Digging deeper, this practice reflects the japanese culture to be more precise “the omotenashi”, the japanese philosophy of wholehearted hospitality and service. It has its roots in the Heian period to be more precise in the tea ceremony, where both the host and the guest act with utmost sincerity.
I hope when I travel to Japan, I’ll confirm that.
Wrapping up
Its a very thought provoking book and the author critizes how is spected of women every day, highligting some aspects of society. and somehow it teachs you that you dont have to find acceptance. its an odd story that has suddenly twist following Keyko’s reaction.