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"Love Letter to a Convenience Store"
Last week, J and Diane brought to my attention that some books have a special Sayaka Murata "Love Letter to a Convenience Store" (also translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori). My edition of the book didn't have it, but don't worry, you can read in on Lit Hub.
A taste, if you like:
When it was time to go home, I suddenly had the urge to see you look embarrassed, so I asked, “Do you think a convenience store and a human can have sex together?” thinking it would make you blush and get all flustered. But you answered smoothly, your face utterly serious, “What are you talking about? We’re already doing it, aren’t we? You enter me every day.” I think that’s the moment we became lovers.
I don't know if I can coherently form a question about this. Discuss amongst yourselves.
***************What were your overall thoughts on this book?
- I love this book. I love Keiko and her weirdness, I love how deftly Muraka has such a biting commentary on life and social expectations in Japan, and I love the ending.
- I would love to know about how much of this book is autobiographical. Muraka did work at a convenience store and it seems to echo a lot of her family life and somewhat unhappy childhood, but maybe I'm reading too much into that.
- This was a reread for me, but I was surprised at how funny I found it to be. I don't remember that much humor when I read it before.
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Pop culture:
There's not much here, I'm afraid. Wikipedia tells me that the novel was adapted into a radio drama on NHK-FM's FM Theater and was broadcast from 22:00 to 22:50 on 30 November 2019. Chiaki Kuriyama voiced the role of the protagonist Keiko Furukura.
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Overall questions to consider:
1) Do you think the pressures that Keiko is feeling to get a "real" job and/or get married is unique to Japanese culture? Is this need for conformity universal? Is it the same for men and women?
2) Did you find this book as humorous as I did? Did you think the satire is understated, overstated, or just right?
3) Last week a lot of us were disappointed in the hypocrisy of Keiko's co-workers and friends who were happy for her to be in a relationship with Shiraha, a man who only pages before had been fired for stalking someone. Is this book fundamentally about how we, as humans, prize conformity and/or conventionality above actual happiness?
4) I tend to think the ending is a happy ending. Keiko is back to doing what she is good at and finding fulfillment and self-acceptance. But some people see the ending as a nod towards assimilation within the capitalistic hegemony. Where do you stand on this debate? Is Keiko empowered at the end of the book or is she exploited?
5) I don't care for Shiraha, but does he have a point? Are the expectations for men and women different and men have the short end of the stick? Or is it just an excuse for laziness on his part?
6) Which character:
a. Do you think is happiest?
b. Would you most like to hang out with for an afternoon?
c. Do you most relate to?
d. Would you most like to suggest go to therapy?
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Most iconic line:
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That's a wrap on 2026 CBBC! Thanks for joining and participating.
As always, if you have ideas for books for next time or suggestions about how CBBC is run, I'm happy to get some feedback.
This book was a delight. I adored it. So funny! So weird!
ReplyDelete1. I think in some ways this is universal
2. Hilarious! Omg.
3.Yes
4. Yes, happy for her, but also there's no way for her to be happy in a culture that cannot understand her choices, so also... no happy?
5. Probably the SIL-- just doing my part to reinforce hegemony on the daily
6. Keiko for all
I certainly didn't dislike this book, but I can't say I enjoyed it, either. It reminded me in some ways of Swift and Voltaire, although much darker because it felt so relatable. I agree with you that it was humorous; I don't know if I could have gotten through it without the humor.
ReplyDeleteKeiko was my favorite character and I do think (hope?) this was a happy ending for her. Being able to recognize oneself and move forward into that self despite external pressure feels like a win. I hope she can tune out the noise from her friends and family, because I don't think they changed for the better at all.
Shiraha most definitely needs therapy and maybe some deprogramming. He does have a point though - I think the expectations ARE different for men and women, and he is under a lot of pressure to be/act a certain way. If only he could rebel against those expectations in a way that didn't torment the people around him!
Thanks for heading up another great book club, Engie!
Shihira is a lazy jerk who has some brains , so he strings together these vaguely philosophical ideas about men/women/society, and uses them to justify his lameness. His business ideas, he'll make money, he'll have women throwing themselves at him,... these are all adolescent tantrums. I would despise him but it's not worth it. He thinks he's using and manipulating Keiko, but she has her reasons. She hasn't fallen for his half-baked rhetoric or dubious physical charms.
ReplyDeleteKeiko is happy- she hadn't sold out. She has a place which values her! She'll be manager one day
The book was painful for me at times. I've used phrases similar to "why can't you just be normal" with one of my kids. -why can't you just follow directions/do what everyone else is doing/listen to the teacher..." So I understand Keiko's family's frustrations with her. Trying to value someone's good qualities while helping them grow and succeed in the real world can not work if the kid's brain is wired differently. I wish my kid could find a job/role/friends like Keiko manages to do.
So great book, but I probably won't read it again.
One more thought- Keiko notices that other people momic each other- or adapt their behaviors to those around her. P.25 with some workers, p.33 with her friends, for example. So I think shes just consciously chosing what other people do without realizing it. So not so weird after all.
DeleteHi, I wasn't able to find this book until last week and I'm only about 50 pages in, so I haven't been able to fully participate. I am enjoying it so far, though, and I look forward to looking at the posts once I'm finished. Thanks for hosting the club, the book this time was a great choice (for me at least)!
ReplyDelete