by: Nabila Rhapsodios
A seaside town in Kitakyushu, Mojiko is full of secret pleasures. Perhaps one of the treasures, much to tourists' shock, is the 24/7 convenience store named Tenderness. From the surface atmosphere, it's a convenience store like any other. Sure, it is! Wait until you set foot inside and pay for your items at the cash register; magic happens! Well, if you are lucky, you are greeted by the sight of a delicate, very good-looking, and affable clerk. No, STORE MANAGER!. Oh, he also has the sweetest smile in the town! Those qualities are enough to imperil your senses, and the clock stops around you for that wondrous magic.
Another peculiarity surrounding Mojiko's Tenderness is that the handsome store manager has a fan club. His long line of fan clubs are regular customers, too, and they are a bit eccentric. Whoever visits Tenderness is always startled at the quick change of environs if the store manager is on duty. You'll be ensnared in a photoshoot or movie set because ladies fawn at him ceaselessly.
The store manager's charm is unparalleled; that's 100% for sure! But give credit to other clerks who work alongside him. Similar to the store manager, they know you by name. They often stock shelves with delicious treats or daily apparatus. The best word to put it is that whatever you need might be lying in Tenderness patiently for you to pick up. Yes, you feel that this konbini offers warmth, amicability, and quick service.
I consciously bought this novel based on the feeling that I must have it because it calls to me, not because of the latest trend or because of 'book recommendations' on Instagram or TikTok. What is this novel about? It is a variation of the best-selling slice-of-life and healing narrative; this novel comprises six chapters centered on this quirky 24/7 convenience store. Come together. I will give you a short review and discover whether I am satisfied or dissatisfied with this novel.
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a. Some readers might find it odd that a convenience store manager has a fan club spread around Mojiko and its neighbors. His bizarre allure and a growing throng of adoring fans (mostly ladies) do not combine; they are superficial and cringeworthy. Personally, I loved it. The store manager, Mitsuhiko Shiba, added a fun, drama-like twist that brought extra depth to the story, making my reading experience even more hilarious and pleasant
b. Reasonably short but, it's very detailed at all scopes. Each character is described well and is unique, each food sold at Tenderness is richly detailed and mouthwatering (similar to The Kamogawa Food Detectives Series by Hisashi Kashiwai), and each story's core description, such as love, passion, grief, retirement, and family is predominantly soothing and fascinating. The seaside town setting description is accurate enough to draw me in my imagination at sea; clear blue sky, torrid sun, seagulls chirping, and salty smells. The author perfectly captures the charm of Japanese convenience stores; it has quite a lot of depth
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The last chapter & Epilogue ended in a cliffhanger. Coincidentally, as I am writing this review, I stumbled upon a list of two sequels (or maybe three? I could not read Kanji...) to The Convenience Store by the Sea on the internet. So, I hope the English translations continue.
As a closing statement, I'd give it 10 stars and recommend it to anyone who likes cute and cozy realism books. This novel sets itself apart from other healing fiction and slice-of-life I've read because of its depth. It avoids the usual repetitive rituals and instead lets each story breathe. This novel, too, is an excellent and easy read—a book to lift your spirits. Here's hoping for an English translation of the sequel because Shiba and his family's story remains unsolved.
*Disclaimer: Courtesy of Google Images. The material published on this website is intended solely for general information and reference purposes and is not legal advice or other professional advice.
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