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A review by savvylit
Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This novel offered a fascinating look into the class divide in Japan, cultural expectations of women, and the physicality of mental distress. Natsu is an anxious woman who spends a lot of time heavily considering others' decisions - as well as her own. When she's upset in any fashion, her anxiety often announces itself in odd visions and physical pain. Without telling on myself too much, I was pleased to recognize the realistic portrayal of Natsu's physically manifested stress.
This book felt so true; like the most honest realism about a woman's life that I have encountered in fiction. Never have I read a book that seems to so accurately portray a range of complex emotions that are unique to modern womanhood. Things like intense grief. The ethics of motherhood. Trying to express a deep-seated rage when expected to be polite. The way a sibling knows you better than almost anyone else. How much beauty standards can damage a woman's self-image. How none of us asked to be born! And certainly not born into a society that hopes to fit us into a narrow image of how a woman should look, act, and think.
I haven't read many books like this that feature so many nuanced conversations between female friends and relatives. And I also haven't read any books to feature women in their early 40s as the primary perspective.
I found this book to be so incredibly refreshing; like the mugicha tea in August that Natsu and co. drink to stay cool.
This book felt so true; like the most honest realism about a woman's life that I have encountered in fiction. Never have I read a book that seems to so accurately portray a range of complex emotions that are unique to modern womanhood. Things like intense grief. The ethics of motherhood. Trying to express a deep-seated rage when expected to be polite. The way a sibling knows you better than almost anyone else. How much beauty standards can damage a woman's self-image. How none of us asked to be born! And certainly not born into a society that hopes to fit us into a narrow image of how a woman should look, act, and think.
I haven't read many books like this that feature so many nuanced conversations between female friends and relatives. And I also haven't read any books to feature women in their early 40s as the primary perspective.
I found this book to be so incredibly refreshing; like the mugicha tea in August that Natsu and co. drink to stay cool.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia