Despite living in the 21st century, just the labels of ‘woman’ and ‘Asian’ have “warranted” the long nose of society into my business. In Convenience Store Woman, Sayaka Murata explores the complex concept of societal pressure to conform to norms — passed down through generations, largely unaltered since the Stone Age. The book tells the short but impactful story of an Asian woman who doesn’t understand the enforced normalcy that society clings to and carries forward, mimicking and judging others, nearly oblivious to the burden it places on itself.
What I particularly loved about the story was the minor undercurrent of how people adopt the subtle mannerisms and styles of those they closely interact with, all in an unrelenting struggle to “belong”.
By the end I found myself reflecting on how many of the labels from the story I’ve unknowingly shouldered over the years — to please, to avoid rejection, to mask my non-conformity, simply to blend in. There comes a moment in life when a voice urges us to break free and shrug away the prying eyes and inevitable judgement. For the protagonist, it’s the voice of the convenience store, from its door chime to the cash registers. For me, it was an inner voice — an older version of myself — telling me to shed the masks I’d been wearing for the sake of friends, family, and even strangers.
I recommend this book to everyone. It’s a powerful affirmation to our individuality and existence.
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