'The Convenience Store Woman' offers a quirky sort-of romance

Award-winning Japanese author Sayaka Murata offers a quirky tale of two misfits who make their way through life unapologetic about their choices.

Yet it is at the convenience store that she knows how to act and what to say. She knows what to expect and what is expected of her. The rules of conduct are defined, and even when there are variables, like the weather or road works, that may influence what customers want to buy, convenience store expectations show her the way.

Keiko is in her element at the store. She might as well have changed the name on her birth certificate to “Convenience Store Woman”.