There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job

[Trisha]

This thread is to discuss There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job by Kikuko Tsumura.

Pages: 416 pages

Length: 1 Month (December)

Participants: oshizu, Margie, Library.

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.


Happy Buddy Reading!

[oshizu]

i have been very distracted from reading this month, but I will be starting this book either tonight or tomorrow morning.

[Margie]

I had good intentions to post some comments as I read but finished the book instead. This is one of those books where I finished with more overall thoughts and impressions than comments about particulars.

(view spoiler)[
The pacing was a little slow but this book grew on me as I read it and I appreciated the subtle humor and warmth (compared to say My Year of Rest and Relaxation which had some similar themes but was much more cynical.)

At first I thought this was going to be an exercise in watching a woman go through a series of odd jobs. Instead, we follow a woman who is completely burned out from a prior job but who can’t stop herself from mentally and emotionally involving (over-involving) herself in each next job. I’ve lived this and could totally relate. Tsumura isn’t overt about the role of women in the work place but she really captured that difficult-to-describe emotional labor that women take on (and are rewarded for) at work.

The author made some interesting choices in the story she told. There is no romantic storyline, we learn almost nothing about the protagonist’s family/friends/last job, and we don’t see the interpersonal drama/back-stabbing that we usually get from books set in a workplace. Instead the protagonist is earnest in her efforts to do a good job even in temporary jobs and her co-workers are basically nice people who are helpful and supportive. This is a story about finding meaning in work.

This book has a good bit of charm and I’m curious to see which bits will stay with me and pop into my mind in the future. (hide spoiler)]

[oshizu]

Thanks so much for your tantalizing spoiler, lol!
After seeing that, I immediately got motivated to start reading and I'm halfway through now.

I must say that I hate how Goodread's book blurb for this novel spoils the narrative trajectory, giving away a lot of how the book will end. Not in details but in concept. Why do publishers feel the need to do that? So annoying!

I'll report when I'm done with the book, possibly tomorrow or the day after.

[Margie]

oshizu wrote: "Thanks so much for your tantalizing spoiler, lol!
After seeing that, I immediately got motivated to start reading and I'm halfway through now.

I must say that I hate how Goodread's book blurb for ..."

I can't wait to see what you think! Yes, GR descriptions tend to provide too much storyline and it's aggravating.

[oshizu]

I finished the book this afternoon and quite enjoyed it.

(view spoiler)[Though we weren't told what job she's previously held for 14 years, he approach to each new part-time job reveealed different facets of her skill set; highly observant about people, could readily empathize with others, good communication skills (sufficient to write effective audio ads), self-motivated, and strong intellectual curiosity.
Though she sought an easy no-brainer job, she could never resist getting emotionally involved. I laughed at how engaged she became in stomping out the Lonely No More group: recruiting Ms. Kohashi, stealing the paint tin, cutting her hair to infiltrate the LNM social.

About the lack of interaction with family and friends, she did mention at different points that she felt bad about burdening her family and her friends. I'm glad she and Erika began spending free time together in the end. A recent friend who's no longer a co-worker might be just what she needs.
The protagonist's search for meaningful work is all-consuming. As a never-married 35-year-old, she's not seeking life's happiness through marriage or motherhood. I can relate to that.

Oh and what a coincidence that her former mentor Erika (was that her name?) has a lead for her return to her original vocation, doubly confirmed by Ms. Masakado.
I look forward to reading this author's next book. (hide spoiler)]

Can't wait to read Makioka Sisters with you next month. :D
By the by, we're doing a Buddy Read of Wrexford & Sloan #3 in February. I hope you'll join us!

[Margie]

I'll be reading her next one, too. It looks like she has quite a few books so hopefully a publisher will do another translation soon.

(view spoiler)[The end wrapped up a little quickly and smoothly but I'm Ok with a feel-good ending in contemporary fiction. Erika had Mary Poppins vibes - she'll make sure things work out! (hide spoiler)]

I'm looking forward to Makioka Sisters, too. Thanks for the reminder about Wrexford and Sloan. I just signed up for #3 and #4. I may listen to #2 again in January so I remember what was happening...