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hodgeonlucy 's review for:
Butter
by Asako Yuzuki
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book started so strong, I loved the first third or so and then it all went so very wrong.
First of all, I couldn’t believe how unnecessarily long it was. On about three separate occasions I checked the time convinced there would only be about half an hour left to find multiple more hours to go - the worst was discovering 7 hours to go with no discernible plot in sight!!
Now I love a ‘no plot, just vibes’ book but if we go with the dairy theme, this novel’s vibes were rancid. I did like the exploration of femininity, sexism, and trauma - at least when they were first addressed. Despite the enormous word count, I found these themes were not developed as fully as they could have in the length given to the novel. Instead, the writing felt repetitive and endlessly tangential with no real outcome from this musing.
I’m sure that some further editing would have greatly improved this book as the writing, themes, and initial plot were strong. However, all these elements were let down when relentlessly explored. If you loved it, good for you. I’m afraid it just wasn’t for me nor my short patience.
First of all, I couldn’t believe how unnecessarily long it was. On about three separate occasions I checked the time convinced there would only be about half an hour left to find multiple more hours to go - the worst was discovering 7 hours to go with no discernible plot in sight!!
Now I love a ‘no plot, just vibes’ book but if we go with the dairy theme, this novel’s vibes were rancid. I did like the exploration of femininity, sexism, and trauma - at least when they were first addressed. Despite the enormous word count, I found these themes were not developed as fully as they could have in the length given to the novel. Instead, the writing felt repetitive and endlessly tangential with no real outcome from this musing.
I’m sure that some further editing would have greatly improved this book as the writing, themes, and initial plot were strong. However, all these elements were let down when relentlessly explored. If you loved it, good for you. I’m afraid it just wasn’t for me nor my short patience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship