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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
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
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
“This world deserved to be lived in. Or, no - that this world deserved to be tasted greedily”
From the final pages, the quote above captures the essence of the novel for me. I was initially apprehensive because of the hype this title has received in social media. Far too often am I left disappointed by books which have received acclaim on ‘Book Tok’, but I am pleased to report that even for the very first chapter I understand the hype.
All of the characters are written with richness, and depth. I was able to understand everyone as an individual. Gaining the sense early on that the story was more about the development and growth of these characters rather than the situation they found themselves in.
The novel itself deals with multiple issues concerning feminism, the role of women in society, and external pressures that women so often feel regarding their image. It also deals directly with friendships, and in a more subtle way with intimate relationships. Many of these issues I know are more prevalent within Japanese culture, but they are also relevant to women globally. There is a rebellious aspect to the novel. Our main characters is on a journey of discovering just what is the “right amount” for her. Her need to excuse herself and her actions shrinks as the novel continues and towards the end her attitude becomes unapologetic.
At first I was expecting this to be a book about a murderer, and for the focus to be on the trails or the murders themselves. And while that is still a major plot device, it really is just a driving force for the exploration of the themes that are explored.
It was a treat to indulge in the food of another culture, even if in a fictional sense. And found that the book was peppered perfectly with all the right amounts of food, friendship, and feminism.
The only reasons I’m not awarding 5 starts is because there were some points where I did feel a little lost and unsure of what exactly was happening. But I don’t know if this was due to the translation, or culture differences in writing and story telling styles. None of it really impact my overall enjoyment of the story though.
From the final pages, the quote above captures the essence of the novel for me. I was initially apprehensive because of the hype this title has received in social media. Far too often am I left disappointed by books which have received acclaim on ‘Book Tok’, but I am pleased to report that even for the very first chapter I understand the hype.
All of the characters are written with richness, and depth. I was able to understand everyone as an individual. Gaining the sense early on that the story was more about the development and growth of these characters rather than the situation they found themselves in.
The novel itself deals with multiple issues concerning feminism, the role of women in society, and external pressures that women so often feel regarding their image. It also deals directly with friendships, and in a more subtle way with intimate relationships. Many of these issues I know are more prevalent within Japanese culture, but they are also relevant to women globally. There is a rebellious aspect to the novel. Our main characters is on a journey of discovering just what is the “right amount” for her. Her need to excuse herself and her actions shrinks as the novel continues and towards the end her attitude becomes unapologetic.
At first I was expecting this to be a book about a murderer, and for the focus to be on the trails or the murders themselves. And while that is still a major plot device, it really is just a driving force for the exploration of the themes that are explored.
It was a treat to indulge in the food of another culture, even if in a fictional sense. And found that the book was peppered perfectly with all the right amounts of food, friendship, and feminism.
The only reasons I’m not awarding 5 starts is because there were some points where I did feel a little lost and unsure of what exactly was happening. But I don’t know if this was due to the translation, or culture differences in writing and story telling styles. None of it really impact my overall enjoyment of the story though.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder