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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
challenging
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a confusing read that took me much longer than I think it should have. Finishing the last 100 pages was an absolute chore. The premise of this book had many intriguing details which initially drew me in, and it had spurts of good moments sporadically throughout which encouraged me to finish it. But those moments were so few and far between that, looking back, I wish I just stopped reading “Butter” entirely. I was never truly invested in or cared about any of the characters. The plot also wandered, never really finding its way or what it truly wanted to say. The prose was unintentional and overfilled with details that you could skim over without ever really missing anything. In turn, I got nothing from this book. The only reason I gave it two stars instead of one its because I enjoyed immersing myself within this world. But other than the developed setting, I can’t think of a single person I’d recommend this to and won’t be returning to it. I wish I stopped reading this within the first 50 pages.
This book completely captured me. My mind tasted what food was being served, and smelled the aromas. Loved this book.
I think a lot of people picked this up thinking it was something else. Luckily for me, I’m not a huge thriller/crime fan. I really liked this book, it wasn’t what I was expecting and things evolved in somewhat odd ways at times. I think the ending dragged a bit but I loved the writing style. It was maybe a bit too heavy on the food descriptions but I think it fit with the book.
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
I still don't know how to feel about this book. I read it for book club and I'm not a big foodie so the long descriptions of food just really irritated me instead of make me hungry or see them in the narrative. The pacing felt off. The book felt like it was building towards some climax about a third through the book and then suddenly dropped off. We then get the real ending which did not have a build up and was a weird ending that felt out of context. Why does the ending have almost nothing to do with the rest of the book?
I did enjoy the social commentary about women and their bodies. The book opens up a good conversation about how women are seen by each other and themselves. Food is such a personal thing to each individual and I did enjoy how that was written into the story beats.
Overall, kinda disappointed at the end and likely won't read again.
I did enjoy the social commentary about women and their bodies. The book opens up a good conversation about how women are seen by each other and themselves. Food is such a personal thing to each individual and I did enjoy how that was written into the story beats.
Overall, kinda disappointed at the end and likely won't read again.
A bit boring, I’m also not a fan of too many descriptions. It gets in the way of what is going on for me.
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Butter explores women's roles and lives in modern Japan, as well as their communities around them. It also delves into morality and truth, dark and sensual at times. But alongside this, there is a light and joy at the end of the tunnel, drawn together by food and cooking.
Rika is a journalist, and her most recent research is on an infamous woman, Manako Kajii, who is in prison on suspicion of killing three men whom she had "seduced". Rika is drawn into the chilling web of Kajii's life, and who knows where this sticky web of lies will lead...
As I mentioned in my introduction, the exploration of misogyny and treatment of women in modern Japan is a centre point, following our main characters and the case. The differing intersecting views and responses to their "expectations" make for an intriguing melting pot, where Rika has to find out how she fits in it all. I liked how the book brought awareness to this issue and it's deep crevices.
But alongside this, there is a longing and an exploration of community, and what it means for, and does for, our main characters. The book swerves in and out of the light and fun and the deeply icky and concerning in an intriguing way. This allows us to analyse characters and events, pondering upon truth and morality.
Additionally, this is a book about food and cooking. This is linked in with the themes of obsession and mortality, but also with those of community. It serves as another focal point for analysing women's roles and expectations. But there is something deeply sensual and intriguing about the way Yuzuki talks about food, especially from Rika's perspective and through Kajii's lens. This allowed for the exploration of the theme of desire.
There were some angles which I wish the author had persued, but I still appreciate them in their subtext (it's very gay, right?!?!? Right?!?!). I just believe I may have taken another approach, especially to Rika and Reiko's relationship with each other.
All in all, a deeply mysterious, intriguing and reflective literary read, for those who want something to sink their teeth into!
Rika is a journalist, and her most recent research is on an infamous woman, Manako Kajii, who is in prison on suspicion of killing three men whom she had "seduced". Rika is drawn into the chilling web of Kajii's life, and who knows where this sticky web of lies will lead...
As I mentioned in my introduction, the exploration of misogyny and treatment of women in modern Japan is a centre point, following our main characters and the case. The differing intersecting views and responses to their "expectations" make for an intriguing melting pot, where Rika has to find out how she fits in it all. I liked how the book brought awareness to this issue and it's deep crevices.
But alongside this, there is a longing and an exploration of community, and what it means for, and does for, our main characters. The book swerves in and out of the light and fun and the deeply icky and concerning in an intriguing way. This allows us to analyse characters and events, pondering upon truth and morality.
Additionally, this is a book about food and cooking. This is linked in with the themes of obsession and mortality, but also with those of community. It serves as another focal point for analysing women's roles and expectations. But there is something deeply sensual and intriguing about the way Yuzuki talks about food, especially from Rika's perspective and through Kajii's lens. This allowed for the exploration of the theme of desire.
There were some angles which I wish the author had persued, but I still appreciate them in their subtext (it's very gay, right?!?!? Right?!?!). I just believe I may have taken another approach, especially to Rika and Reiko's relationship with each other.
All in all, a deeply mysterious, intriguing and reflective literary read, for those who want something to sink their teeth into!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Pedophilia, Suicide, Grief, Stalking, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment
Minor: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Pregnancy
challenging
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
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes