Reviews with content warning for Sexual harassment - Breasts and Eggs

This is probably one of the best Japanese books I have read so far. It defiently showcases some of the challenges women face in Japanese society (and probably to some extent in other western countries as well). The plot consists of what can be essentially divided into two stories - Breasts ,and Eggs.
The first one focusses on the relationships between mothers and their daughters in the main characters family. The main motives in this one are the struggles of low class women in Japan, relationships between mother and daughters, as well as reflections about the female body.
The second one is centered around the carrier of the main character and her struggles with pregnancy, having children and sustaining relationships with men in her life. The second story goes mainly into antinatalist motives and the morality of having children.

The ending did leave me quite bitter and wondering if the main character has made the right choice about having the child by herself. We do sympathize with her through her story, but in the end it felt a bit odd and unease when reading the final chapter. It definetly left me with something to think about through some time

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avie_j's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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hannacolm's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

Basically no plot, the first part of the book could have been completely left out. The writing was very good but it was somehow extremely boring.

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jaswoahreads's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

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alina3's review

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reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.25

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maceydowns's review against another edition

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emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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lk3ssaf's review against another edition

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Plot- or character-driven? Character
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

There is so much in this book. I felt as though I were looking through a window, and viewing another woman's life as it unfolded. The relationships Natsuke had with other people were so real and human. I enjoyed Natsuke so much as a character.

The discussions and reflections provided in this book about a woman's role in society, about the effects this has on their mental state, about their responsibilities, are discussions that I don't believe anyone but a woman could have written so poignantly, and that only other women can truly understand. Kawakami has such a deep understanding of how being a woman can impact interpersonal relationships and our dynamics with others and with the world.

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wovenquiry's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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