ThesurprisehitofthesummerandwinnerofJapan’sprestigiousAkutagawaPrize,ConvenienceStoreWomanistheincomparablestoryofKeikoFurukura,athirty-six-year-oldTokyoresidentwhohasbeenworkingattheHiiromachi“SmileMart“forthepasteighteenyears.Keikohasneverfitin,neitherinherfamily,norinschool,butinherconveniencestore,sheisabletofindpeaceandpurposewithrulesclearlydelineatedclearlybythestore’smanual,andcopyinghercolleagues’dress,mannerisms,andspeech.Sheplaysthepartofa“normalperson“excellently--moreorless.Keikoisveryhappy,butthoseclosetoherpressurehertofindahusbandandapropercareer,promptinghertotakedesperateaction.Asharp-eyedlookatcontemporaryworkcultureandthepressuresweallfeeltoconform,ConvenienceStoreWomanoffersabrilliantdepictionofaworldhiddenfromviewandacharmingandfreshportraitofanunforgettableheroine.
