Butter: THE No. 1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING SENSATION Paperback – Big Book, 29 February 2024

A very interesting story

Just finished reading this book and I’mglad to say this was a good read.Inspired by true events, Butter is a compelling story of a serial killer and her comeuppance. While this book has traces of a thriller, it leans heavily on the character study of Manako Kaji, her journey. If this book is approached as a thriller with expectations of suspense and a great ending, you’ll be disappointed.Coming to the book, I have to credit the translator, Polly Barton for doing a stupendous job in getting the tone just right for the book. Asako Yuzuki herself can be called a master of butter with her words. The prose in this book is easy to read yet very complex in it emotions. It draws parallels of food while talking about feminism, societal expectations of women, their bodies, achieving true freedom in one’s life and does an excellent job in achieving that. It definitely made me hungry and I wanted to eat some butter whilst thinking about life. Such is this book, deeply contemplative and delicious.However, being at 464 pages, this does become a tedious read. I had to give myself a little nudge to finish the book past 250 pages. It needed a better edit and could’ve been much concise in the story.

Well worth the read.

Belle édition, bon rapport qualité - prix

I really enjoy reading Japanese fiction (translated of course) and I was intrigued when I read the blurb for Butter. Particularly that is it was inspired by ‘The Konkatsu Killer’ who I confess I had not heard off until reading the book. The first thing I have to say is do not get deceived by the title and front cover. This is not a quick and easy read but rather like a good meal is something to be savoured. The novel is thought provoking and offers a deep insight into Japanese culture and the culinary arts.The heart of the novel focuses on the relationship between women and ultimately female liberation. While Kaji is of course murderess Yuzuki goes a great way to explain or offer an exploration of what made her the way she is. Rika by contrast we see on her journey of ‘coming out of her shell’ as her friendship grows with Kaji. The characters, while not all likeable are incredibly well put together and realistic.The writing is interesting and kept me captivated. In a way this was almost like a cook book with the detail and inspired meals. It is most definitely a unique read and one that some cultural aspects might be lost on a Western reader if they are not familiar with Japanese culture but I do not believe this creates too much of a barrier since you can enjoy the story as is. I have already ordered a physical copy and will definitely be re-reading in the future. It’s a beauty story about female friendship (arguably manipulation) and overcoming misogyny.