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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
So close to five stars honestly! Absolutely loved the descriptions of food, and the ideas and commentary on being a woman, particularly in Japanese society. I was worried this book would be horror or thriller, but the main focus is Rika, a journalist, and her evolving relationship with Manako Kaji, a convicted serial killer. Such a fascinating look at fat phobic views, women and working, relationships, female friendships, and more. I really enjoyed the descriptive writing, and I thought the audiobook narration was fantastic. I didn’t love as much: I didn’t love the chapter from Reiko’s POV, but I get how it expanded those themes for her of marriage and purpose and relationship to men. I also felt like the ending was kinda drifting around once Rika stopped meeting with Kaji. Overall, I was captivated, and look forward to reading it again one day!