Convenience Store Woman

Winner of the Akutagawa Prize

The English-language debut of an exciting young voice in international fiction, selling 660,000 copies in Japan alone, Convenience Store Woman is a bewitching portrayal of contemporary Japan through the eyes of a single woman who fits in to the rigidity of its work culture only too well.

However, eighteen years later, at age 36, she is still in the same job, has never had a boyfriend, & has only few friends. She feels comfortable in her life, but is aware that she is not living up to society's expectations & causing her family to worry about her. When a similarly alienated but cynical & bitter young man comes to work in the store, he will upset Keiko's contented stasis—but will it be for the better?

Sayaka Murata brilliantly captures the atmosphere of the familiar convenience store that is so much part of life in Japan. With some laugh-out-loud moments prompted by the disconnect between Keiko’s thoughts & those of the people around her, she provides a sharp look at Japanese society & the pressure to conform, as well as penetrating insights into the female mind. Convenience Store Woman is a fresh, charming portrait of an unforgettable heroine that recalls Banana Yoshimoto, Han Kang, & Amélie.

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Sayaka Murata is the author of many books, including Earthlings. Murata has been named a Freeman’s “Future of New Writing” author & a Vogue Japan Woman of the Year.