Kazumasa Hayami
MacLehose Press
3 September 2026 (2019)
320
eBook - PDF
Contemporary Fiction
ARC via NetGalley
Kyoko Tanihara still loves books. Just about.
But life at the Musashino Bookstore is starting to get her down. Instead of promoting her favorite stories, she finds herself distracted, tearing her hair out at the mere sight of her infuriating manager, who can't seem to do anything but get in her way of success.
From his obsession with self-help books to his "inspirational" speeches at staff meetings, everything about Takeru Yamamoto seems designed to set her teeth on edge. As the store lurches from crisis to crisis, facing criticism from customers and authors alike, only the prospect of changing a life by handing over the perfect book keeps her going.
Until one day she is handed a book that speaks to all her frustrations, and opens her eyes to an alarming possibility. What if there's actually more to Yamamoto's obnoxious antics than meets the eye? What if, just maybe, her manager isn't so stupid after all?
How Can My Manager Be So Stupid was an ode to books and booksellers while also casting a light on the difficulties many employees face at all levels in an organisation but especially those on the shop floor. It was funny and yet also profound at times, and I really felt for Kyoko throughout many of her experiences, establishing a quiet camaraderie with her. I particularly liked how her views started to change as the story progressed, including the twists that occurred as the tale reached its conclusion. This is a great book for readers who enjoy contemporary Japanese fiction but who, like me, are starting to tire of the endless run of 'cosy and heartwarming' stories making their way into translation, which slowly begin to blur into one. This book offered something a little different and will likely resonate most with anyone who's spent a lot of time in bookstores, whether as a client or an employee. I am giving this one 4.5 stars.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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