First, we have Book Beginnings on Fridays, hosted by Rose City Reads. In this meme, we have to share the first sentence (or a bit more) from the book we are currently reading. The second meme is called Friday 56 and it is hosted by Freda's Voice. For this one, we have to share a small snippet from a book, taken from page 56 (or 56% on an e-reader).
This week, I'm presenting you with Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata. I'm really into Japanese literature and I was eager to read this book. It is quirky, somewhat dark, but very enjoyable. It is certainly something completely different from what you've been reading. I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the quotes from the book!
Book Beginnings:
"A convenience store is a world of sound. From the tinkle of the door chime to the voices of TV celebrities advertising new products over the in-store cable networks, to the calls of the store workers, the beeps of the bar code scanner, the rustle of customers picking up items and placing them in baskets, and the clacking of heels walking around the store. It all blends into the convenience store sound that ceaselessly caresses my eardrums."
In this opening paragraph, we get a very quick description of what a convenience store sounds like. To the protagonist, the convenience store is her sanctuary and so she feels the most comfortable when she is surrounded by these sounds. Of course, later on her life will be turned upside down, but this place is very important.
Friday 56:
"When something was strange, everyone thought they had the right to come stomping in all over your life to figure out why. I found that arrogant and infuriating, not to mention a pain in the neck. Sometimes I even wanted to hit them with a shovel to shut them up, like I did that time in elementary school"
So, in this paragraph taken from page 56 from this book, we discover more about the protagonist's character. This character has a rare condition where she can't understand emotions and her doesn't possess empathy. From a young age she failed to connect to people and so was always socially awkward. Now, she is much older and people keep asking her why she's not married and why she keeps working in a convenience store. (Now that I'm talking about this book, I'm feeling like I should write a review about it).
Anyway, this way the book of the week. Have you read Convenience Store Woman? What do you think of these quote?
Share with me some quotes from the books you are currently reading!
I like the excerpts and how they show the character through the lens of the convenience store sounds.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, and here's mine: ”THE NEW HUSBAND”
Yes, the convenience store is a unique setting :)
DeleteI never thought about a convenience store as a place of sounds but after that paragraph, I can hear it. And honestly, I agree about people who come stomping in to 'fix' things unasked. Arrogant and rude. Who are they decide you need something fixed?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, happy reading and happy weekend!
The description of the store is so vivid! It exactly sounds like that. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who want to fix you.
DeleteI can relate to this book wholeheartedly. Happy weekend, stay safe!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by :)
DeleteThis sounds like a great one. The snippets pulled me in and I'm curious for more. Thanks for sharing! Hope you have a nice weekend! Stay safe! :)
ReplyDeleteI recommend it with no hesitation! It is a great book :)
DeleteI'd really like to read this--thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteIt's quirky, but it's an excellent read :)
DeleteI had heard some buzz about this book. Now your quotes make me want to read it!
ReplyDeleteYou should read it! I loved it! :)
DeleteSounds like a pretty detailed book. I'm sure you are enjoying the references to Japanese culture.
ReplyDeleteStay Safe and Stay Inside
My Friday quotes are from LONESOME DOVE
Indeed, reading Japanese literature helped me understand the culture so much better :)
DeleteThat cover really pops. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely eye-catching :)
DeleteI'm also loving Japanese lit. I have read Murakami for years, but now I am getting into more contemporary and twentieth-century Japanese writers. I loved Sayaka Murata's Earthlings, but I still need to read this one. Have you read anything by Mishima? He's a big new fave of mine.
ReplyDeleteI has also started with Haruki Murakami, but I quickly discovered other authors that I enjoy much more, like Yoko Ogawa and Banana Yoshimoto. I haven't read Mishima yet, although I plan on reading - he is one of the classic authors! I'm glad you are enjoying his work :)
DeleteI love the writing in the opening excerpt you shared. I was pulled right in! I've read a little in the way of Japanese literature and enjoyed it. This sounds like it will be a good one! I am glad you enjoyed this one. I hope you have a good weekend. Stay well and safe.
ReplyDeleteI would readily recommend it! It's a great read and it's actually a pretty quick read as well :)
DeleteI love these lines, must get this book. The character sounds a little bit like Eleanor Oliphant, who also has difficulties connecting to people.
ReplyDeleteI have not read a lot of Japanese litterature, but those I have read I liked very much.
Now, I just have to read Eleanor Oliphant!! :)
DeleteGreat teasers. I'm intrigued by this one.
ReplyDeleteYou should give it a try :)
DeleteSounds like a very interesting book. The beginning passage really sets the scene. The teaser is disturbing.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very vivid description! It feels like you are inside a convenience store :)
DeleteIt's so interesting that someone would find a convenience store a sanctuary. That's an interesting perspective in and of itself, I think. I lopve how casually she mentions hitting people with a shovel "like in elementary school." That made me giggle. xD
ReplyDeleteWell, her lack of emotions and empathy has to do a lot with it :)
DeleteThe character seems a bit dark, she's a bit of a sociopath maybe? The book sounds interesting all in all.
ReplyDeleteRonnie @ Paradise Found
She definitely suffers from a mental illness.
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