Hello, hello. I hope you have been well.
To be fair, it does not matter what work environment I am put in; anything that keeps me from writing my novel is my enemy. I know I have it better than others though. I know that there are people out there who despise their 9 to 5 so much that their body almost physically reacts because it really is that overwhelming. While I may not have felt the intensity of that kind of pain, I know a few books you might be able to find yourself within. I know this is no definite cure to what you are going through, however when has a book ever not been the answer to a problem.
Convenience store woman by Sayaka Murata
Keiko Furutura, a woman in her thirties has been working at a convenient store for the past eighteen years. She is content, however the people around her find this deeply alarming and consistently push her into changing her ways and to lead a life they consider to be ‘normal and right’.
“The normal world has no room for exceptions and always quietly eliminates foreign objects. Anyone who is lacking is disposed of. So that’s why I need to be cured. Unless I’m cured, normal people will expurgate me. Finally, I understood why my family had tried so hard to fix me.” - Sayaka Murata
A short and witty book about the dysfunctionality of modern society, what is considered acceptable and the conflict between following your heart versus adhering to what everyone else wants you to be. If you hate the idea of climbing the corporate ladder but that seems to be all that society believes in, this one is for you.
1984 by George Orwell
Big Brother is always watching. Winston, a member of the outer Party, was hired by the ministry as someone who changes records, such as newspapers and historical documentation to fit the seemingly perfect and powerful image of Big Brother. Keeping a journal is Winston’s first act of rebellion, only the start of many more against Big Brother.
“If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face – forever” - George Orwell.
This book consists of humanities’ worst qualities. If you hate the system on a global level, this one is for you.
Discontent by Beatriz Serrano
The novel follows an advertising executive, Marisa, who is constantly anxious and frustrated about the system of the modern working world. Constantly drowning in existential dread and fatigue, Marisa copes by binging YouTube videos and consuming tranquilizers, as she tries to prevent her perfectly curated and confident image from falling apart daily.
“I broke down every morning when the alarm beeped because life, lived this way, seemed like a badly written tragedy, boring and sterile, devoid of fun and, even worse, devoid of content, and so, on my way to work, I felt like grabbing strangers by their shoulders and asking them why they weren’t feeling like me.” - Beatriz Serrano
In the tone of dark humour, this is a novel about corporate absurdity, working culture, and modern burn out. This one is for those who absolutely loathe the system so much that it actually hurts.
‘That’s all.’ (The Devil Wears Prada, 2006)
Thank you for reading, you beautiful soul.
Yours sincerely,
Elena D. Willow
The Nocturnal Journal
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