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lettersinthemargins's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Kawakami deflty deals with issues like women's bodies, sexuality and the choice to have children. She wheedles information and provides a commentary on women's experiences through conversations. Seasons and character emotions also seem to have a close reflective relationship. There is the definite sadness that abusive and traumatic childhoods create, throughout the novel.
The first section is mostly about the way social spaces place an imposition on women's bodies to look and perform a certain way. The second section follows Natsuko as she deliberates on whether to have a child through assistive reproductive methods, the ethical and moral dilemmas involved and her own journey as a single adult woman. The text doesn't delve into the social manifestations of sex and gender discrimination, as much as I would have liked. Yet the lives of the central women characters are explored sensitively through multiple perspectives. Besides Natsuko, the novel provides a poignant look into Midoriko's thoughts on her mother's wish to have breast enhancement surgery and on the woman's egg producing body. Riko, Sengawa and Yuriko's perspectives reinforce and influence the protagonists thought and empathy.
The book sort of follows Natsuko in and out of daily moments. It skims through some surreal parts as Natsuko's emotions fluctuate. While these add to the flavour of the text, I really disliked how some intense moments were left incomplete, and sort of abruptly. I'm not sure if this is a result of the translation - which severly does injustice to the prose in some parts. It's excessively americanised and the Asian perspective doesn't come through. Which is another issue I had with the book.
The first section is mostly about the way social spaces place an imposition on women's bodies to look and perform a certain way. The second section follows Natsuko as she deliberates on whether to have a child through assistive reproductive methods, the ethical and moral dilemmas involved and her own journey as a single adult woman. The text doesn't delve into the social manifestations of sex and gender discrimination, as much as I would have liked. Yet the lives of the central women characters are explored sensitively through multiple perspectives. Besides Natsuko, the novel provides a poignant look into Midoriko's thoughts on her mother's wish to have breast enhancement surgery and on the woman's egg producing body. Riko, Sengawa and Yuriko's perspectives reinforce and influence the protagonists thought and empathy.
The book sort of follows Natsuko in and out of daily moments. It skims through some surreal parts as Natsuko's emotions fluctuate. While these add to the flavour of the text, I really disliked how some intense moments were left incomplete, and sort of abruptly. I'm not sure if this is a result of the translation - which severly does injustice to the prose in some parts. It's excessively americanised and the Asian perspective doesn't come through. Which is another issue I had with the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
emzireads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Cancer, Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Transphobia
remainsofabook's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming and Misogyny
Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, and Transphobia
morebedsidebooks's review against another edition
2.5
Breasts and Eggs by Kawakami Mieko is a novel recounting “the intimate journeys of three women as they confront oppressive mores and their own uncertainties”.
See an in-depth review at my blog.
See an in-depth review at my blog.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Blood, Medical content, and Pregnancy
Minor: Cancer, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Also contains passages about menstruation and artificial insemination.williamg's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Misogyny, and Transphobia