pajamareading 's review for:

Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami

4.5

inspiring reflective medium-paced

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 “If you want to know how poor somebody was growing up, ask them how many windows they had. Don't ask what was in their fridge or in their closet. The number of windows says it all. It says everything. If they had none, or maybe one or two, that's all you need to know.”
― Mieko Kawakami, Breasts and Eggs

Starting a chapter with such powerful and sentimental lines is an impressive move. These words immediately make you wonder, "What has this writer been through to have such thoughts?" This type of opening grabs your attention quickly, as you become eager to discover how the story will unfold and how the character will change. That was my first impression of this book. I heard many people say that this book was thought-provoking, and they were right. However, I'm glad this book addresses real issues in our modern world that are often experienced by women.

Some might say this book is for feminists, but I strongly disagree. In my opinion, men should read this book to understand how difficult it is for women to live their lives without being constantly criticized, expected to conform, and told what to do. So if you're a woman reading this, you will find it relatable, even if you have different values or beliefs from the characters. And if you're a man, reading this will encourage you to give more respect and empathy to the women in your life.

I might be biased because I'm a woman too, but honestly, the world from a woman's point of view is a paradox of complexity. It's true that women often tend to be more emotionally expressive than men, but that doesn't mean we lack logic or critical thinking. Women don't see the world as simply beautiful; we are fully aware of its darkness, idealism, dilemmas, expectations, and sacrifices. All of this is portrayed through the female characters in this book.

To conclude, my personal takeaway from this book is that we are all wanderers in this world, searching for the meaning of our lives. Throughout our journey, we encounter various people who tell us what we should be looking for to lead a meaningful life. They offer advice based on books they've read, beliefs they've held, movies they've watched, people they admire, and their own experiences. Not all of them are wrong; perhaps some are right too. But to know what is right for you requires self-awareness. We live in a noisy world where much nonsense is claimed as truth, so if we don't have strong beliefs to lean on, we could be swept away and slowly lose our identity.

Overall, this book is a good choice for your reading list. It's like having a conversation with your female friends: even though you don't always agree with their takes on everything, you still respect their opinions while holding your own.