Our book for March is:
Convenience Store Woman
By Sayaka Murata
Ginny Tapley Takemori
(Translator)
Chat & further info on The Phoenix Monthly Book Club WhatsApp.
Chosen by Chris, this is the English-language debut of one of Japan's most talented contemporary writers, selling over 650,000 copies there, Convenience Store Woman is the heartwarming and surprising story of thirty-six-year-old Tokyo resident Keiko Furukura.
Keiko has never fit in, neither in her family, nor in school, but when at the age of eighteen she begins working at the Hiiromachi branch of “Smile Mart,” she finds peace and purpose in her life. In the store, unlike anywhere else, she understands the rules of social interaction―many are laid out line by line in the store’s manual―and she does her best to copy the dress, mannerisms, and speech of her colleagues, playing the part of a “normal” person excellently, more or less. Keiko is very happy, but the people close to her, from her family to her coworkers, increasingly pressure her to find a husband, and to start a proper career, prompting her to take desperate action…
A big welcome to all!
The Phoenix Monthly Book Club is for everyone to enjoy - seasoned 'book clubbers' and those new to the idea - all will be made very welcome.
Come and join our relaxed, friendly group!
Our aim is to choose some really good reads and have lively times together discussing the chosen book of the month in a respectful manner.
The reading list will be compiled from members' suggestions and will reflect our differing tastes. It will be great to challenge ourselves with genres or writing styles we may not usually think to go for - we won't all like every book, but it will be fun to discover!
You'll be responsible for sourcing your own copy of the monthly book - borrow from the library, buy second hand, download or Kindle etc - whatever works best for you.
