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roisinmarie 's review for:
Butter
by Asako Yuzuki
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When I bought this book, a number of booksellers told me how amazing it was, so I was really looking forward to reading it...
While I can appreciate that for some, this book will be a 5* read, it just wasn't for me. I found the food descriptions got tiresome, and I didn't really understand the motivation of the main character Rika.
I didn't understand the development of the relationship between Rika and Kajii in the beginning, so following that all seemed a little forced.
I was baffled when Reiko decided to go after the guy, and ended up at his house? Also, we just never see the dog again after this little side quest?
I also thought that all of the body-shaming/fat-phobia came across in a really weird and awkward manner. I didn't feel like the book was trying to subvert the stereotypical narrative about women's bodies, but actually enforce it. I felt this way at a number of points, but especially when Reiko invited Rika to the seminar about fasting? That felt like it came out of nowhere, and didn't really add anything to the story.
Overall, I thought the book had some enjoyable moments, but could have been a good 200 pages shorter.
While I can appreciate that for some, this book will be a 5* read, it just wasn't for me. I found the food descriptions got tiresome, and I didn't really understand the motivation of the main character Rika.
I was baffled when Reiko decided to go after the guy, and ended up at his house? Also, we just never see the dog again after this little side quest?
I also thought that all of the body-shaming/fat-phobia came across in a really weird and awkward manner. I didn't feel like the book was trying to subvert the stereotypical narrative about women's bodies, but actually enforce it. I felt this way at a number of points, but especially when Reiko invited Rika to the seminar about fasting? That felt like it came out of nowhere, and didn't really add anything to the story.
Overall, I thought the book had some enjoyable moments, but could have been a good 200 pages shorter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Incest, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Grief, Stalking