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Supermarket
A modern classic of literature in Japan, Supermarket is a novel of the human drama surrounding the management of a supermarket chain at a time when the phenomenon of the supermarket, imported postwar from the US, was just taking hold in Japan. When Kojima, an elite banker resigns his job to help a cousin manage Ishiei, a supermarket in one of Japan’s provincial cities, a host of problems ensue. Store employees are stealing products, the books are in disaray, and the workers seem stuck in old ways of thinking. As Kojima begins to give all his time over to the relentless task of reforming the store’s management, a chance encounter with a woman from his childhood causes him to ask the age-old is the all encompassing pursuit of business success really worth it? Sincere and naive in tone, Supermarket takes us back to a simpler, kinder time, and skillfully presents the depictions of its characters alongside a wealth of information concerning Japanese post WWII recovery and industrialization.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published February 15, 1984
13 people are currently reading
849 people want to read
About the author
Satoshi Azuchi
5 books4 followersSatoshi Azuchi (1937-) was born in Tokyo. After graduating the University of Tokyo, he entered the Sumitomo Corporation, which is one of the largest trading companies in Japan. Then, he went on loan to the Summit chain of supermarkets, serving as president, chairman, and supreme advisor. While working as chairman of All Japan Supermarket Association, he made his debut as a novelist with Shosetsu Ryutsu Sangyo (Distribution Industry, later, the title was changed to Supermarket). The novel inspired Juzo Itami when he made a movie Super no Onna (Supermarket Woman). He also acts as an economic analyst writing articles for Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun and so on.
(from http://www.jlpp.go.jp/en/works/author...)
(from http://www.jlpp.go.jp/en/works/author...)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
November 27, 2009
I think I found this book - a translated Japanese novel - when it was mentioned in a Goodreads e-mail, so "the system" works; I never would have found it otherwise. The plot follows the story of a young-ish executive in Japan who moves from working for a bank to an executive job with a small but growing supermarket chain. What I loved about this book was:
The fact that it is a Japanese novel and not a book about Japan written by a Westerner for a largely Western audience. Not that there's a thing wrong with that, but this book really placed me wholly within a culture that is foreign to me and made no allowances for a Western reader.
Also the fact that the book pretty much could have been written by an MBA instructor for an MBA course. Yes, there are personal intrigues, but the REAL action is all about the company and the business machinations.
So what was not so fascinating was also the fact that, to this Western reader (and possibly even a non-Western reader?), it was rather dry since, as said, it could have been written about an MBA instructor for an MBA course. This made for emotional content of a different sort, as in not "Will the guy get the girl?", but more of "Will the company survive the long-term embezzlement?"
This is a terrific book to read if you have any interest in Japan. I also recommend T.R. Reid's "Confucius Lives Next Door", although admittedly that is written by a Westerner for a Western audience.
The fact that it is a Japanese novel and not a book about Japan written by a Westerner for a largely Western audience. Not that there's a thing wrong with that, but this book really placed me wholly within a culture that is foreign to me and made no allowances for a Western reader.
Also the fact that the book pretty much could have been written by an MBA instructor for an MBA course. Yes, there are personal intrigues, but the REAL action is all about the company and the business machinations.
So what was not so fascinating was also the fact that, to this Western reader (and possibly even a non-Western reader?), it was rather dry since, as said, it could have been written about an MBA instructor for an MBA course. This made for emotional content of a different sort, as in not "Will the guy get the girl?", but more of "Will the company survive the long-term embezzlement?"
This is a terrific book to read if you have any interest in Japan. I also recommend T.R. Reid's "Confucius Lives Next Door", although admittedly that is written by a Westerner for a Western audience.
February 29, 2016
I put off reading this book for a while because several reviews described it as a bleak manual on how to run a supermarket. I am glad I did not abandon it altogether. This turned out to be an incredible thriller as much as it is a business novel. It is a story of a banker who was hired to take on a leadership position at a company that runs a supermarket chain. Soon after he joins the company he discovers severe misconduct and embezzlement that threatens the survival of the company. As he tries to fix the problems he is faced with factional resistance and threats to his own reputation. The story revolves around his efforts to save the company and how he dealt with interpersonal conflicts.
This is a remarkable novel that vividly highlights the dedication and commitment of the Japanese to their employers. Even though the story reflects on events that should have occurred during a period from late 60’s and throughout the 70’s, there is nothing in the novel that feels old or outdated. In fact, if it was not for few references to historic events that occurred in the 70’s this novel would feel ageless.
This novel was written by Satoshi Azuchi who later wrote “Shoshaman” using his real name, Shinya Arai. After reading his biography, you get the impression that Mr. Ari was reflecting on his own career by writing both novels in an autobiographical tone. Even though “Shoshaman” was written later it reads like a prequel to “Supermarket”. In “Shoshaman”, Mr. Arai talks about the rise of a mid-career manager through corporate Japan, and ends with his contemplation to quit his employer to take on a leadership position at a food service company. In “Supermarket”, Mr. Arai starts by describing a mid-career manager who quits his job to take on a risky leadership position at a company that runs a supermarket chain. In both novels, the main protagonist reflects on his wife’s objections to his career plans. Interestingly, in “Shoshaman” the main character gets involved in an affair early in his career where he exchanged letters with his mistress. In “Supermarket”, which theoretically should have occurred years later, his wife discovers a hidden stack of love letters from his old affair. These minor snippets show, at least to me, how both novels could be related. Therefore, for those who enjoy reading business novels that read like biographies of business tycoons, I would recommend reading “Shoshaman” first and then “Supermarket”. Note, however, that these novels may not appeal to everyone. They are rooted in reality, and may get verbose at times. There is very little romance, if any.
This is a remarkable novel that vividly highlights the dedication and commitment of the Japanese to their employers. Even though the story reflects on events that should have occurred during a period from late 60’s and throughout the 70’s, there is nothing in the novel that feels old or outdated. In fact, if it was not for few references to historic events that occurred in the 70’s this novel would feel ageless.
This novel was written by Satoshi Azuchi who later wrote “Shoshaman” using his real name, Shinya Arai. After reading his biography, you get the impression that Mr. Ari was reflecting on his own career by writing both novels in an autobiographical tone. Even though “Shoshaman” was written later it reads like a prequel to “Supermarket”. In “Shoshaman”, Mr. Arai talks about the rise of a mid-career manager through corporate Japan, and ends with his contemplation to quit his employer to take on a leadership position at a food service company. In “Supermarket”, Mr. Arai starts by describing a mid-career manager who quits his job to take on a risky leadership position at a company that runs a supermarket chain. In both novels, the main protagonist reflects on his wife’s objections to his career plans. Interestingly, in “Shoshaman” the main character gets involved in an affair early in his career where he exchanged letters with his mistress. In “Supermarket”, which theoretically should have occurred years later, his wife discovers a hidden stack of love letters from his old affair. These minor snippets show, at least to me, how both novels could be related. Therefore, for those who enjoy reading business novels that read like biographies of business tycoons, I would recommend reading “Shoshaman” first and then “Supermarket”. Note, however, that these novels may not appeal to everyone. They are rooted in reality, and may get verbose at times. There is very little romance, if any.
February 19, 2009
I'm aware of salaryman manga (and enjoy it immensely), but I've never encountered a salaryman novel until now. In Japan, the genre is called business fiction, and without a doubt, it is the most un-American thing I've ever read. Shosetsu Supamaketto is super amazing.
November 16, 2020
Коджіма промінює свою престижну банківську кар'єру на непевну роботу в мережі супермаркетів, якою керують його брати. Чи варто йому було ризикувати настільки сильно? Що скаже на це його дружина? Чи вдасться йому витягти компанію із кризи? Останнє за місцем, але не за значенням: як зробити так, аби в супермаркетах мережі продавали лише найдобірніші овочі, і до чого тут овіяне завісою таємниці Наукове товариство з вивчення свіжих продуктів?
... коли що, це мало прозвучати по-блокбастерному гостросюжетно.
... сподіваюся, так воно і було.
"Супермаркет" Сатоші Адзуті належить до класики популярного в Японії жанру кейзай шьосецу (економічний/ бізнесовий роман). Мені цей різновид романів спершу нагадував ісекай, тобто сюжети про попаданнництво, але якщо в ісекайній манзі герой, часто менеджер-невдаха (все аби читачам було легше з ним проасоціюватись), потрапляє в дивовижний фентезійний світ, то, читаючи бізнесові романи, японський менеджер має змогу вдати, що він менеджер, тільки у вигаданій фірмі. Але, погортавши трохи текстів про історію жанру, я виявила, що він не тільки про ескапізм (хай і про доволі специфічний), але і про інформацію про функціонування японських компаній, яка іноді буває всеохопнішою та правдивішою за журналістські матеріали.
"Супермаркет" є виробничим романом у дусі чи то соцреалізму, чи то античних трагедій: герої повсякчас виголошують настільки патосні промови, що стає зрозуміло - у реальному житті так не говорять.
... чи все ж говорять під впливом подібних героїчних наративів, в яких клерк уподібнюється до самурая, а фірма - до його шьоґуна.
Цікавий і добре чутний в романі голос самого автора. Не знаю, наскільки ним це відрефлексовано, але він чи то оцінює себе, чи то уявляє, що постійно буде оцінюваним - і це впливає на те,як він розказує історію, як саме оцінює надихаючі слова чи невдалі жарти, скромну зовнішність чи неморальні вчинки героїв.
Книжку цікаво читати, зіставляючи з "Дівчиною з крамнички" Саяки Мурати. Якщо Кейко не знаходить розуміння навіть серед працівн_иць свого комбіні і виділяється, єдина з усіх вважаючи крамничку частинкою своєї душі (якщо не цілою душею), то тут усе навпаки. Коджіма, харизматичній Лідер з Місією та Візією робить так, аби більшість працівни_ків радісно ставали коліщатками механізму, яким є їхня компанія. Раніше ти лише й говорив, що про бейсбол, - хвалить він другорядного героя, - а тепер цілий день навіть під час відпочинку обговорюєш з колегами, як краще викладати на прилавок свіжу рибу. Разом з однодумцями йому вдається збудувати ідеальний супермаркет - такий самий ідеальний супермаркет, який, як згадує Саяка Мурата в одному з інтерв'ю, вона прагнула змоделювати у своєму романі. Та чи знайшлося би місце у ньому Кейко?
Та звісно, що ні. Світ "Супермаркету" підкреслено чоловічий, жінки там роблять щось своє за лаштунками, не втручаючись при цьому в головну дію. Коджіма зізнається, що не розуміє жінок - і спасибі йому і на цьому; уявляється, що героїні є повнокровними і повноцінними людьми, просто побаченими через призму сприйняття Коджіми, а тому поданими не більш опукло, аніж картонні вивіски, що повідомляють про відкриття нового супермаркету.
Взагалі я розгортала книгу, прагнучи в її сухуватому стилі віднайти розраду від драм, на які так багата японська література, але була підло начутою. Поміж оповідей про цифри та продукцію Адзуті підсунув мені однаково другорядну і трагічну історію кохання двох розтратчиків, які . Цікаво і дивно, що їх ледь намічена лінія у сто разів щемкіша та живіша за ніякущу гетеро-лінію, хоча симпатії Адзуті, який вживає слова в дусі "пучина гріха", очевидні.
Іноді описуване нагадує американські бізнесові реалії, але роман повсякчас нагадує те, що Коджіма помічає десь на початку: японські та американські супермаркети не мають між собою нічого спільного. Запроваджуючи нову ризиковану стратегію, герої буденно обговорюють потенційне самогубство, звичайною справою тут є сльозні (в буквальному сенсі) вибачення перед покупцем, а, здавалося б, цілком повсякденний вибір життєвого шляху (і то між бізнесом та бізнесом) виявляється закоріненим у питанні свободи волі, і то з доволі парадоксального боку:
Будущее сокрыто от нашего взора, и попытка утверждать, что изменчивая, чреватая столькими вариантами человеческая жизнь раз и навсегда предопределена, есть не более чем сотворение иллюзий - но разве не такую призрачную иллюзию предлагают крупные корпорации своим служащим, чтобы завлечь их и в конечном счёте проглотить?
... коли що, це мало прозвучати по-блокбастерному гостросюжетно.
... сподіваюся, так воно і було.
"Супермаркет" Сатоші Адзуті належить до класики популярного в Японії жанру кейзай шьосецу (економічний/ бізнесовий роман). Мені цей різновид романів спершу нагадував ісекай, тобто сюжети про попаданнництво, але якщо в ісекайній манзі герой, часто менеджер-невдаха (все аби читачам було легше з ним проасоціюватись), потрапляє в дивовижний фентезійний світ, то, читаючи бізнесові романи, японський менеджер має змогу вдати, що він менеджер, тільки у вигаданій фірмі. Але, погортавши трохи текстів про історію жанру, я виявила, що він не тільки про ескапізм (хай і про доволі специфічний), але і про інформацію про функціонування японських компаній, яка іноді буває всеохопнішою та правдивішою за журналістські матеріали.
"Супермаркет" є виробничим романом у дусі чи то соцреалізму, чи то античних трагедій: герої повсякчас виголошують настільки патосні промови, що стає зрозуміло - у реальному житті так не говорять.
... чи все ж говорять під впливом подібних героїчних наративів, в яких клерк уподібнюється до самурая, а фірма - до його шьоґуна.
Цікавий і добре чутний в романі голос самого автора. Не знаю, наскільки ним це відрефлексовано, але він чи то оцінює себе, чи то уявляє, що постійно буде оцінюваним - і це впливає на те,як він розказує історію, як саме оцінює надихаючі слова чи невдалі жарти, скромну зовнішність чи неморальні вчинки героїв.
Книжку цікаво читати, зіставляючи з "Дівчиною з крамнички" Саяки Мурати. Якщо Кейко не знаходить розуміння навіть серед працівн_иць свого комбіні і виділяється, єдина з усіх вважаючи крамничку частинкою своєї душі (якщо не цілою душею), то тут усе навпаки. Коджіма, харизматичній Лідер з Місією та Візією робить так, аби більшість працівни_ків радісно ставали коліщатками механізму, яким є їхня компанія. Раніше ти лише й говорив, що про бейсбол, - хвалить він другорядного героя, - а тепер цілий день навіть під час відпочинку обговорюєш з колегами, як краще викладати на прилавок свіжу рибу. Разом з однодумцями йому вдається збудувати ідеальний супермаркет - такий самий ідеальний супермаркет, який, як згадує Саяка Мурата в одному з інтерв'ю, вона прагнула змоделювати у своєму романі. Та чи знайшлося би місце у ньому Кейко?
Та звісно, що ні. Світ "Супермаркету" підкреслено чоловічий, жінки там роблять щось своє за лаштунками, не втручаючись при цьому в головну дію. Коджіма зізнається, що не розуміє жінок - і спасибі йому і на цьому; уявляється, що героїні є повнокровними і повноцінними людьми, просто побаченими через призму сприйняття Коджіми, а тому поданими не більш опукло, аніж картонні вивіски, що повідомляють про відкриття нового супермаркету.
Взагалі я розгортала книгу, прагнучи в її сухуватому стилі віднайти розраду від драм, на які так багата японська література, але була підло начутою. Поміж оповідей про цифри та продукцію Адзуті підсунув мені однаково другорядну і трагічну історію кохання двох розтратчиків, які . Цікаво і дивно, що їх ледь намічена лінія у сто разів щемкіша та живіша за ніякущу гетеро-лінію, хоча симпатії Адзуті, який вживає слова в дусі "пучина гріха", очевидні.
Іноді описуване нагадує американські бізнесові реалії, але роман повсякчас нагадує те, що Коджіма помічає десь на початку: японські та американські супермаркети не мають між собою нічого спільного. Запроваджуючи нову ризиковану стратегію, герої буденно обговорюють потенційне самогубство, звичайною справою тут є сльозні (в буквальному сенсі) вибачення перед покупцем, а, здавалося б, цілком повсякденний вибір життєвого шляху (і то між бізнесом та бізнесом) виявляється закоріненим у питанні свободи волі, і то з доволі парадоксального боку:
Будущее сокрыто от нашего взора, и попытка утверждать, что изменчивая, чреватая столькими вариантами человеческая жизнь раз и навсегда предопределена, есть не более чем сотворение иллюзий - но разве не такую призрачную иллюзию предлагают крупные корпорации своим служащим, чтобы завлечь их и в конечном счёте проглотить?
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September 13, 2010I've ordered the translation -- I just finished reading it in Japanese, where it was initially serialized and then came out in two volumes, which might explain some of the disjointedness that a reviewer below noted. I've read two other Azuchi novels (one of which is available in English translation as Shoshaman) as well as several other "business novels." This is part of that genre, which tends to be heavy on business and light on characterization, though the character building is in the context of widely shared stereotypes of business life and how the competition inside big firms molds people, so may be a bit deeper than it seems to someone unaware of that context.
Azuchi (the pen name of Arai Shinya) is clearly smitten with the supermarket format which he helped develop and about which he continues to write business-oriented nonfiction. As a novel, parts of it go on at excessive length for many readers on the technical side of chain store retailing and groceries. (Shoshaman dwells less on such.) It does however give a sense of the entrepreneurial days of the 1960s, when chains expanded rapidly, with two eventually adopting the "hypermarket" format successfully (Ito Yokado, Aeon/Jusco) while the largest chain (Daiei) crashed and another (Seiyu) remains on life support as a wholly owned subsidiary of Walmart. Lots of consolidation the past decade among the stores that remained more narrowly food supermarkets as well, and among the wholesalers that supply them produce (veggies) and other fresh goods. So this novel is rooted in business history, quite accurate in pointing out the key strategic and operational issues.
It's hard for me to put myself into the shoes of a reader unfamiliar with Japan. This book does not pretend to be high literature, but it does give a depiction true to the times. After all, in the late 1960s older Japanese remembered the penury of the war and the slow reconstruction of the era of the US Occupation (1945-52). A 6-day work-week was normal, as was overtime -- add in a commute and there was very little time for home life or outside interests. It's different now (schools moved to a 5-day-week in the 1990s, and most employers have as well). But that's for another book ... one I'm trying to write.
Note that the 1996 Itami Juzo movie, Supa no Onna, is based on the book; it's available with English subtitles. My university library bought it recently, the card catalog suggests it came out in 2005 on DVD, however it is not available in netflix.
Azuchi (the pen name of Arai Shinya) is clearly smitten with the supermarket format which he helped develop and about which he continues to write business-oriented nonfiction. As a novel, parts of it go on at excessive length for many readers on the technical side of chain store retailing and groceries. (Shoshaman dwells less on such.) It does however give a sense of the entrepreneurial days of the 1960s, when chains expanded rapidly, with two eventually adopting the "hypermarket" format successfully (Ito Yokado, Aeon/Jusco) while the largest chain (Daiei) crashed and another (Seiyu) remains on life support as a wholly owned subsidiary of Walmart. Lots of consolidation the past decade among the stores that remained more narrowly food supermarkets as well, and among the wholesalers that supply them produce (veggies) and other fresh goods. So this novel is rooted in business history, quite accurate in pointing out the key strategic and operational issues.
It's hard for me to put myself into the shoes of a reader unfamiliar with Japan. This book does not pretend to be high literature, but it does give a depiction true to the times. After all, in the late 1960s older Japanese remembered the penury of the war and the slow reconstruction of the era of the US Occupation (1945-52). A 6-day work-week was normal, as was overtime -- add in a commute and there was very little time for home life or outside interests. It's different now (schools moved to a 5-day-week in the 1990s, and most employers have as well). But that's for another book ... one I'm trying to write.
Note that the 1996 Itami Juzo movie, Supa no Onna, is based on the book; it's available with English subtitles. My university library bought it recently, the card catalog suggests it came out in 2005 on DVD, however it is not available in netflix.
January 3, 2015
Reading this book was a unique experience. The main conflict of the novel deals with the success of a supermarket chain, i.e. will it or won't it be profitable... And even though I don't care much about supermarkets and have limited interest in the day to day operations of a medium size business, I could not put this book down, primarily because you can really feel the passion of the characters, especially Kojima, the protagonist, about helping the business succeed, one small Improvement at a time. His work is his life, his universe and his everything; even though he's got a wife and two children, the only role they have in his life is to exist (and to make food and clean the house), and they seem to claim none of his mental energy our emotions (if anything, Kojima turns to the company secretary for emotional support when the going gets tough; it's her existence that gives him comfort, not his family at all) - and this is both a source of strength and weakness for the book... None of the characters are really developed as human beings, with complex thoughts and feelings that deal with things not only at, but outside of work as well... I appreciated that this focused us as readers on the main conflict, but I would have liked to know more about the people, if only to better understand their attitude to life and hence work as well; the 2 female characters were especially underdeveloped...
Having said all of this, this was actually a very enjoyable novel, one that conveyed better than any lecture our comparative study the attitude and passion Japanese people have(or are expected to have) about work; it is infectious and inspiring, albeit also a bit off putting in the context of western ideas about work life balance, family and child rearing, and gender equality... All in all, a fun, culturally stimulating read.
Having said all of this, this was actually a very enjoyable novel, one that conveyed better than any lecture our comparative study the attitude and passion Japanese people have(or are expected to have) about work; it is infectious and inspiring, albeit also a bit off putting in the context of western ideas about work life balance, family and child rearing, and gender equality... All in all, a fun, culturally stimulating read.
May 23, 2017
just read an article on the business novel in japan: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-3512... and decided i want to reread this. i wonder how it compares to those business/institution books from the '60s or '70s in the west- i was too young for them at the peak, but certainly remember the parody disaster comedy Airplane! so here is a book to reread next year...
June 14, 2018
Most of us spend much of our lives at work, and more time with the people we work with than with our families or friends. But fiction doesn't deal much with the world of work and the activities and relationships in that world, except as background to what the story's really about. Here, the balance is the other way round--the story is all about work, and the rest of these people's lives (family, marriage, children, home) really just background. I can't say I have much interest in retail management, but I found this book unexpectedly fascinating. If one of the reasons to read is to find out about worlds and lives remote from one's own (and for me, it is), then this book is well worth reading.
February 13, 2015
While it's technically accurate to call this a novel, it reads like a business manual with characters thrown in just to give a name to each employee position. With that said, it's understandable that the poorest parts of the novel are the weak attempts at developing characters outside of the workplace, for example a clumsy attempt a romantic relationship that mercifully lasts only a few pages. The main character is an absolute saint, which can be a bit obnoxious also.
What makes Supermarket worth the read are the insights into: 1) the inner workings of a big retail store and 2) the Japanese approach to work. The dedication and drive the men (and few women) have for their company is something that will probably almost funny to an American. They redefine the term 'loyal employee.' Suffice to say that throughout the course of the book, without exaggeration, men cry about ten times due to errors at work. When I muck something up at work I don't even remember the next day -- for the characters in this novel work is their life.
Unfortunately the bland, repetitive writing and flat characters hurt it's chances at being better than ok.
What makes Supermarket worth the read are the insights into: 1) the inner workings of a big retail store and 2) the Japanese approach to work. The dedication and drive the men (and few women) have for their company is something that will probably almost funny to an American. They redefine the term 'loyal employee.' Suffice to say that throughout the course of the book, without exaggeration, men cry about ten times due to errors at work. When I muck something up at work I don't even remember the next day -- for the characters in this novel work is their life.
Unfortunately the bland, repetitive writing and flat characters hurt it's chances at being better than ok.
April 18, 2009
If you are intrigued in how a supermarket is developed and grown, this may be the book for you. The main character, Kojima, leaves his life as a successful banker to involve himself in the development of a chain of supermarkets. His different perspective and implementation of various strategies propels the market into success as he also deals with the sabotage, old ideas and corruption of those who are already involved in the Ishiei supermarkets.
This book seemed like a fabulous read for me when I read the cover, but then seemed to fall short of my expectations. Not quite sure how. The overriding theme seemed to be that even though capitalism is the greatest idea since sliced bread,it is the working class people that are the proponent that generates the success more than the board members.
This book seemed like a fabulous read for me when I read the cover, but then seemed to fall short of my expectations. Not quite sure how. The overriding theme seemed to be that even though capitalism is the greatest idea since sliced bread,it is the working class people that are the proponent that generates the success more than the board members.
December 8, 2009
This is a Japanese novel about a banker who takes a new position in his cousin's supermarket chain. The viewpoint is strictly Japanese and sometimes seemed strange (such as the obsession with work, loyalty, the cultural differences) and there isn't much of a personal side to the characters. However, if you can get involved in the business workings, then the novel becomes very interesting. How the employees relate to one another, who is hiding what from whom, whether the company can survive one tragedy after another - all of these move the story line along. I didn't always understand the culture involved, but I found the book to be interesting and engaging. The writing style is good and easy to follow, which helps with the unfamiliar aspects. I found this one through a Goodreads newsletter and I'm glad I decided to check it out.
June 8, 2013
This turned out to be a really absorbing read. I couldn't put it down. And, can someone make this into a film please? I can visualize all the early 70s fashion, the technicolor produce, the drama of businessmen crying...oh my god. It would be SO GOOD. Supermarket! "Let's do it!"
June 22, 2011
Can't believe I didn't write a review at the time, when it was fresh. Wish I had. I loved this book! Read it.
February 8, 2022
This was one of those books I couldn't not pick up once I heard about it because I just found its premise so novel. A book about a group of supermarket employees working through the struggles of growing a business didn't exactly sound riveting, but I often find that I like stories that don't seem as if they should be particularly exciting, so I wanted to check this out. I'm not sorry that I did.
"Supermarket" is, frankly, exactly what it says on the tin. It's about a supermarket. The various business and personal conflicts that make up the story all revolve around said supermarket. While the characters' personal lives are somewhat relevant, the store and the company it's owned by are at the story's center, not any of the people who work there. Our opinions of each supermarket employee are primarily formed by their workplace behavior and relationships, not their personal character. (Which is how you can end up closing the book with a very positive view of a character whose personal life isn't exactly sterling, so long as that character was a good, upright businessperson and whatnot.) In "Supermarket," work trumps all else, but that's a big part of the story's appeal - or at least it was to me. It's about an insular group of people with a common goal solving everyday problems, and I loved that. Sometimes, one needs a gentle dose of reality in one's escapism.
One of the things I kept seeing in other reviews of this book is that it's distinctly Japanese, and though I can't say I know enough about Japanese business practices to be able to confirm that, I can definitely say that it's like nothing I've ever seen in English-language fiction. I can't see this book's American counterpart taking off - it's got no flash, no glamor, and no catchy selling points, and a lot of the ideas expressed would be completely foreign to an American reader (though, oddly enough, I saw a lot of echoes of my own upbringing in its emphasis on excellence, conformity, and sacrifice for the greater good - all things that were taught to me as a child, though for very different reasons). But that was a big part of why I loved it so much. It's not a larger-than-life story, but it is a very relevant one, and small problems (if you call embezzling "small") can sometimes be almost comforting to read about. A lot of the Japanese fiction I've read does that very well, which is why I gravitate towards it. Some readers might be bored, but if you're not looking to be excited, I think you'll be satisfied with this one. Just know going in that what you see is what you get.
"Supermarket" is, frankly, exactly what it says on the tin. It's about a supermarket. The various business and personal conflicts that make up the story all revolve around said supermarket. While the characters' personal lives are somewhat relevant, the store and the company it's owned by are at the story's center, not any of the people who work there. Our opinions of each supermarket employee are primarily formed by their workplace behavior and relationships, not their personal character. (Which is how you can end up closing the book with a very positive view of a character whose personal life isn't exactly sterling, so long as that character was a good, upright businessperson and whatnot.) In "Supermarket," work trumps all else, but that's a big part of the story's appeal - or at least it was to me. It's about an insular group of people with a common goal solving everyday problems, and I loved that. Sometimes, one needs a gentle dose of reality in one's escapism.
One of the things I kept seeing in other reviews of this book is that it's distinctly Japanese, and though I can't say I know enough about Japanese business practices to be able to confirm that, I can definitely say that it's like nothing I've ever seen in English-language fiction. I can't see this book's American counterpart taking off - it's got no flash, no glamor, and no catchy selling points, and a lot of the ideas expressed would be completely foreign to an American reader (though, oddly enough, I saw a lot of echoes of my own upbringing in its emphasis on excellence, conformity, and sacrifice for the greater good - all things that were taught to me as a child, though for very different reasons). But that was a big part of why I loved it so much. It's not a larger-than-life story, but it is a very relevant one, and small problems (if you call embezzling "small") can sometimes be almost comforting to read about. A lot of the Japanese fiction I've read does that very well, which is why I gravitate towards it. Some readers might be bored, but if you're not looking to be excited, I think you'll be satisfied with this one. Just know going in that what you see is what you get.
April 23, 2022
I didn’t know until now that a business novel genre could be written. And that would like it.
I’ve been inside the corporate world for almost three years now, so I feel this is one of the reasons I enjoyed the book.
All the political things this kind of jobs involve are very truthfully depicted, I’m even surprised to find this experiences in a Japanese novel. I’ve mentioned in previous reviews that I find Japanese literature drastically different from what we’re used to, so I was surprised to find this novel very relatable.
The main character initially works in an important bank and is offered a position in a supermarket his cousin owns.
It is a whole new world he knows nothing of, but he feels he’s up to the challenge and goes for it.
It’s difficult being “the new guy” in a managing position, and more so if you’re ideas challenge the ways in which the business has run for a long time. Your coworkers feel threatened or offended and things get tricky.
Like in any other place, there’s people who start seeing you as an ally, but there’s also people who start making your progress impossible. Such is the case of Ryosuke, he has great ideas about how to boost sales by standardizing processes and good marketing. But his scrutiny makes dangerous people angry, and he gets involved in the discovery of an embezzlement scam.
There’s gossip going on, family drama, coworker romance and fight for power. Numbers of profits, business strategy and loads of different characters. I struggled to keep up with the names.
I guess is part of How the Japanese culture was (or still is) but I was uncomfortable with some sexist parts of the book. The women are depicted as people who are only looking to get a good husband to serve, so he provides everything.
Other than that I was surprised to have read this so fast, the plot really encourages you to keep reading and reading.
Not for everyone but highly entertaining if you’ve had experiences in the corporate or supermarket world.
I’ve been inside the corporate world for almost three years now, so I feel this is one of the reasons I enjoyed the book.
All the political things this kind of jobs involve are very truthfully depicted, I’m even surprised to find this experiences in a Japanese novel. I’ve mentioned in previous reviews that I find Japanese literature drastically different from what we’re used to, so I was surprised to find this novel very relatable.
The main character initially works in an important bank and is offered a position in a supermarket his cousin owns.
It is a whole new world he knows nothing of, but he feels he’s up to the challenge and goes for it.
It’s difficult being “the new guy” in a managing position, and more so if you’re ideas challenge the ways in which the business has run for a long time. Your coworkers feel threatened or offended and things get tricky.
Like in any other place, there’s people who start seeing you as an ally, but there’s also people who start making your progress impossible. Such is the case of Ryosuke, he has great ideas about how to boost sales by standardizing processes and good marketing. But his scrutiny makes dangerous people angry, and he gets involved in the discovery of an embezzlement scam.
There’s gossip going on, family drama, coworker romance and fight for power. Numbers of profits, business strategy and loads of different characters. I struggled to keep up with the names.
I guess is part of How the Japanese culture was (or still is) but I was uncomfortable with some sexist parts of the book. The women are depicted as people who are only looking to get a good husband to serve, so he provides everything.
Other than that I was surprised to have read this so fast, the plot really encourages you to keep reading and reading.
Not for everyone but highly entertaining if you’ve had experiences in the corporate or supermarket world.
January 23, 2023
Who knows that a supermarket chain company will involve a lot of drama among workers from various levels. Ichimura with his secret support group organised by Sashima, Sashima with his crime swept under the table by the management, a dark secret of a handsome worker with soulless eyes, and a high inferiority man who is always jealous of anyone better than him.
This multi-dimensional story has a very lively storyline that covers various departments in a supermarket chain company, from low-ranking employees to the management level. Their different responsibilities reflect their perspectives on the company, management and colleagues. The variety of interesting characters has led the readers to keep looking forward to more drama being unfolded by the writer.
Book Review: Supermarket by Satoshi Azuchi.
This multi-dimensional story has a very lively storyline that covers various departments in a supermarket chain company, from low-ranking employees to the management level. Their different responsibilities reflect their perspectives on the company, management and colleagues. The variety of interesting characters has led the readers to keep looking forward to more drama being unfolded by the writer.
Book Review: Supermarket by Satoshi Azuchi.
September 13, 2017
I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. I certainly didn't expect a supermarket to be full of such dramatic office politics, blackmail, backstabbing, secret lovers' trysts, and embezzlement. What a surprise!
What I liked most about this book was its portrayal of leadership. Kojima is the kind of leader that you aspire to be like - someone who doesn't just shout orders from the top, learns from his competitors, listens to his employees, takes responsibility where necessary (and almost when it's unnecessary to protect others), and raises new leaders around him. He's like a poster child for every management course ever taught in college and employee enrichment seminars.
This is a pretty quick read, and the story is paced pretty steadily. You'll find pages flying past without realizing it.
What I liked most about this book was its portrayal of leadership. Kojima is the kind of leader that you aspire to be like - someone who doesn't just shout orders from the top, learns from his competitors, listens to his employees, takes responsibility where necessary (and almost when it's unnecessary to protect others), and raises new leaders around him. He's like a poster child for every management course ever taught in college and employee enrichment seminars.
This is a pretty quick read, and the story is paced pretty steadily. You'll find pages flying past without realizing it.
March 19, 2018
Before starting to read this I didn’t realise that it falls into the peculiar Japanese genre of “business fiction”. On the one hand this means that it can be quite dry in places; very detailed in its discussion of profit margins, grocery pricing strategies, etc, and that the characters are fairly flat and are mostly concerned with loyalty to the company and deference to their bosses. Female characters are notably marginal, and are either objects of desire or nagging wives.
On the other hand it is an interesting glimpse into Japanese culture at a specific moment, as post-war Japanese society starts to adopt some American ideas and practices, both in business and personal terms. There are also some surprise developments and the corruption/embezzlement thriller plot doesn’t turn out the way you might expect.
On the other hand it is an interesting glimpse into Japanese culture at a specific moment, as post-war Japanese society starts to adopt some American ideas and practices, both in business and personal terms. There are also some surprise developments and the corruption/embezzlement thriller plot doesn’t turn out the way you might expect.
February 13, 2023
"It was dangerous work. If he failed, he would be thrown out of the company, and if that happened he would have a wound that might never heal."
This book was riveting and poignant. What a delight to spend time counting inventory amid the changing grocery business in 1960s Japan. This is a clear classic for good reason.
This is an intriguing story of businessmen striving to build a supermarket chain. In addition to tracking the intrigue and intercompany gossip, I loved reading about several male protagonists who openly tear up and get emotional about work without any injury to their masculinity or likability.
This book was riveting and poignant. What a delight to spend time counting inventory amid the changing grocery business in 1960s Japan. This is a clear classic for good reason.
This is an intriguing story of businessmen striving to build a supermarket chain. In addition to tracking the intrigue and intercompany gossip, I loved reading about several male protagonists who openly tear up and get emotional about work without any injury to their masculinity or likability.
November 26, 2018
This novel claims to be a classic, though I'm not sure if it's true. I enjoyed the story and intrigue, but found the constantly reinforced sexist and homophobic stereotypes to be depressing. Nobody learns anything, they just assert that women are basically emotional children and the gays are predisposed to crime and unsympathetic men are the most successful. It was so pervasive that it became one of my main takeaways, along with, "single-minded dedication to your job will always work out," and "there is always drama to be found somewhere."
September 13, 2019
At times, I really struggled with this book, but all in all, I think the author did a good job of presenting how this type of establishment works.
There was one thing I hated though: the way women were portrayed, e.g.
Woman: Don't you see our family is falling apart and we need to to something about this?
Man: Pull yourself together and make dinner.
I mean... Come on. I realise this book was published over 30 years ago, but really?
There was one thing I hated though: the way women were portrayed, e.g.
Woman: Don't you see our family is falling apart and we need to to something about this?
Man: Pull yourself together and make dinner.
I mean... Come on. I realise this book was published over 30 years ago, but really?
May 18, 2017
This was surprisingly good. Scheming, factions, embezzlement: ooh, the excitement! And for the most part I felt the author had a sort of a neutral tone for the characters which is not always the case. And he made me care about the workings of a supermarket chain, which is totally not something I'm usually intrigued by. So, definitely at the upper end of three stars.
April 24, 2020
This is a novel about the management of a mid-sized supermarket chain in Japan in the 70s. I SPED through it. Who would have thought it would be so interesting? Great companion to Convenience Store Woman - like seeing the same phenomenon from two sides, or like the birth of an idea and its ultimate realization.
October 16, 2017
Unexpectedly pleasant read- about the internal workings of a small supermarket chain in post WWII Japan, and how it moves through the stages of modernizing and industrializing so that it is able to survive and possibly even leap into a national chain.
April 4, 2021
I've never read anything like this before. Sort of a corporate thriller, quite artless, terribly innocent. Charming in its way, for a book about stocktaking and discount eggs, and full of the lives of salarymen.
May 30, 2021
Хорошее повествование о построении успешного бизнеса. Благодаря национальности автора присутствует японский колорит в характерах персонажей, культуре их взаимодействия и заковыристости имен.
Это произведение напоминает мне книгу "Зеленый король", там тоже много рассуждений о стратегиях, маневрах и оптимизациях (которые мне не всегда понятны, но читать приятно).
Это произведение напоминает мне книгу "Зеленый король", там тоже много рассуждений о стратегиях, маневрах и оптимизациях (которые мне не всегда понятны, но читать приятно).
February 13, 2018
Really enjoyed this book!
March 13, 2021
One sentence reviews: one off novel which shows in places, but the flaws in it's characters are made up for with incredible detail in the setting.
April 18, 2022
Why was this book so gripping and suspenseful and inspiring omfg
September 8, 2018
Interesting book about Japanese culture and companies.
It correlates very much with American view on Japanese quality process in Out of the Crisis
There are traces of love story and detective, but just enough to make the book not only about the supermarket transformation..
It correlates very much with American view on Japanese quality process in Out of the Crisis
There are traces of love story and detective, but just enough to make the book not only about the supermarket transformation..
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