Most people say they found this story funny.
I’m one of the people who took it seriously. Perhaps, unfortunately, too seriously.
Like Keiko, I have lived a life where I have been deemed ‘abnormal’, ‘strange’, etc. I never felt like I fit in anywhere, like I belonged, always sticking out like a sore thumb. Story of my life. So reading this was slightly painful since that’s the theme of the book – Keiko is strange and ‘not normal’ (she’s quite possibly neuro-divergent), and so everyone is trying to ‘fix’ her, but it can’t be done (and shouldn’t be) because she is who she is, and that’s okay. Her life situation is also very relatable – everyone tells her she needs a better job, a husband, children, etc., without any concern as to whether she wants any of those things. How familiar.
So we follow Keiko as she works in the convenience store happily, as she meets with people socially, as she sees everyone has a family and children, all except her. She’s never been interested in such things. She keeps racking her brain to figure out how to get ‘cured’ and takes anyone’s suggestion, never realizing she’s fine and happy as she is. She needn’t change for the benefit of society or anyone else.
Everything everyone said to this poor woman, how they treated her, how they wanted her to be normal, it made me so incredibly sad. This is how we treat outliers in every society, isn’t it? It makes me sick to my stomach, because these people (including me) have done nothing to deserve it. And while this book is a fun story with a TON of social commentary that’s supposed to be light and thought-provoking, it can be quite triggering to someone who’s been told she wasn’t normal her whole life. So bear this in mind when you read this. If you’re a ‘normal’ person (who fits in easily), if you’re neurotypical, you might enjoy this and have a good laugh and a good think. If you’re a ‘weirdo’ (like me), then go ahead and get angry with me at the society that makes a mockery of us. The society that requires us to change, even when we don’t have to, when we’re fine the way we are. (Just to be clear, I am not neuro-divergent, but I am not typical in other ways.)
The other prominent character, Shihara, was a jerk, an incel, and a misogynist. I cringed the whole time I was reading him, though I understand why he was there, to challenge her to get out of her comfort zone and see what she really wants to do with her life. (I won’t spoil anything, but I am happy with the ending.)
If you like quirky novellas with unusual characters, if you’re looking for good neuro-divergent rep, if you’ve ever felt strange and out of place, maybe you’ll like this. Even though it made me angry, I have no issue with the book. Getting a strong reaction from me means it was written well and that the author made their point. It means I related. Too much, unfortunately.
I won’t give this less than 4 stars, but I can’t give it 5 stars, for personal reasons.
-Reviewed by Violeta Nedkova
