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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Butter isn’t just a dish, it’s a full three course meal! Although I feel like this book was too long, I enjoyed the meandering descriptions of the foods Rika encounters through the machinations of the creepiest killer(?) in Japan. The simple flavors of soy sauce, butter, and rice are just the first steps we take into a larger culinary world as a journalist explores her own relationships with food, gender, society, family, and friends. The first half of the book was a bit of a slog, but once I understood where Rika was being led by Kaji, I was hooked. Emotions being so intertwined with food was such an interesting concept for a novel, and I could feel Rika literally unraveling as she continued to chase an understanding about Kaji and herself that would never come. I loved Rika’s character development and how she handled her journeys through Japan, cooking school, and the trendiest restaurants in Tokyo. However, the real hero of this book is the smart and insightful analysis of the way women are treated in Japan and by modern society at large. Fatphobia, agism, and sexism are inherently losing battles. Women are conditioned to behave in certain ways to appease men, while real contentment lies in finding solace and understanding from female friendships. Although the author should have maybe trimmed some fat from this book, I still finished it feeling satisfied.
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a fascinating read that I found very hard to put down. The characters all stood out in their own way but Kajii was on a whole other level. As the main character, Rika, interviewed her I got more and more drawn in. Despite my beliefs opposing hers I still felt drawn in by her.
There were multiple times where I felt fully immersed in Rika's feelings. I could feel her desperation for gathering more information, I anticipated her interviews as she did.
I'm not usually a fan of crime novels but I would highly recommend this one. The accused is an amazing paradox to study and the way the book goes about discussing beauty standards is amazing.
There were multiple times where I felt fully immersed in Rika's feelings. I could feel her desperation for gathering more information, I anticipated her interviews as she did.
I'm not usually a fan of crime novels but I would highly recommend this one. The accused is an amazing paradox to study and the way the book goes about discussing beauty standards is amazing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Death of parent
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Suicide
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual assault
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Felt longer than necessary/drawn out both within scenes and generally… I liked some parts which is why I was so confused whether I liked it or not, don’t know how much of that has to do with the translations
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes