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.
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A beautiful, delicious slice of life. The writing is gorgeous (a testament to the brilliant translator), the story is riveting and the insights into Japanese culture are shrewd, scathing and delightful in equal measure. The subtle but astute observation of how true crime is covered and consumed today was a highlight for me (being an avid true crime reader/listener/watcher myself). I see this book being billed as a thriller in some places so please don’t pick this up if that’s what you’re looking for. Instead save it for when you are in a lit fic mood and devour every single bite of it with relish. Trust me it will be exactly what you are craving. Ok no more food puns now…just read the book
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There were some good points about gender expectations, body shaming, and work/life balance but the writing itself was hard work - I don't know if it was down to the author or the translation. The story meandered along, some aspects were skipped over quickly, others were described in minute detail, and this pacing made the overall arc hard to relate to. At times it was hard to work out who was who and which person was speaking. Not a book I would recommend.
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I found this very enjoyable. Beside the storyline, I liked the little insights into Japanese culture and the description of the cooking.
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Totally stepped out of my comfort zone with this one. This was chosen by our bookclub as the monthlyread and sounded interesting. A cult Japanese bestseller about a female gourmet cook and serial killer and the journalist intent on cracking her case, inspired by a true story. This wasn't really what I was expecting at all but I enjoyed it. I think I expected (my mistake) more a mystery around the murders. Instead it was told through the POV of Rika, the female Journalist and was also a look at the culture and misogyny in Japan surrounding Women. And in particular the pressure to be thin and the perfect wife there. I was SHOCKED at the body shaming culture portrayed in this book, towards the imprisoned Killer and Rika as she gained weight. I mean WOW, I know the media and society pressure to fit the ideal of the 'perfect' women is harsh generally but it was interesting to see how it applies to another culture. Especially one with such strong traditional routes. On a side note, I spent the entire time reading this hungry and wanting rice and noodles!
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As a foodie I just adored this novel! It's a heady mix of gastronomy, crime fiction and Japanese culture and that East meets West and 'why not mix it all up' factor. Who cares about authenticity and taste....or should we, even? Delightful questions to ask. But you, dear reader, will need to decide how food, taste, gastronomy, culture friendship and togetherness feature in your lives. That to me, is what this book is all about....and butter.
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It was honestly quite hard to get through this book. It is more like a manifesto disguised as a novel than an actual work of literature. The author has not woven her feminist critiques into a narrative but instead explicitly tells readers over and over and over how difficult it is to be a woman and how toxic men are. The book is badly written and repetitive, and this exhausting habit of saying "it's so hard being me" every few lines is a major problem. Writers often learn the lesson "show, don't tell" early on in their education, but this author clearly ignored that lesson.
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I wanted to like this more than I did. The story of how journalist, Rika Machida gets interview privileges with the notorious Manako Kajii, a woman imprisoned and accused of having murdered lonely, old business men who she is supposed to have virtually coddled to death by feeding them rich meals and waiting on them hand and foot before abandoning them. Vilified by the Japanese public because she is overweight and unrepentant about her love for dairy products and luxurious ingredients, Manako becomes a symbol of unrestrained appetite and what monsters women can be if they are let off the leash. Rika enters a peculiarly fetishistic relationship with Manako and begins to experience life in Manako's way as she gets deeper and deeper into her investigation. As her life starts to change, Rika begins to question whether it's Manako or society that is in error. Bits of this are brilliant but for me it is too long, and there are only so many descriptions of butter melting over various foodstuffs that a woman can take and I had reached my limit long before the end of this book.
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I loved this book and it was the first time I’ve read anything written by this author, Asako Yuzuki. I have loved reading since I was in 4th grade. When we were taken to the library and told to choose a book from the “children’s section,” I got bored very quickly. So my teachers all agreed I should start reading the newspaper, which I loved! Throughout my entire life, I have always excelled at both reading and writing. My parents loved reading as well and exposed me to authors like Jonathan Kellerman, Harlan Coben, Lee Childs and other authors like them. I actually enjoy the thrill, suspense, “catching the killers,” and didn’t mind the gory parts. So when a book group I’m a member of on Instagram suggested Butter, I immediately went to Amazon, read what the book was about realizing it was definitely “in my wheelhouse,” I immediately purchased it! I have an undergraduate degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Nightclub Management and then got my Masters in Specialty Event Mgt and lastly got my PHD in Hospitality and Sales and Marketing Mgt. Another reason this book appealed to me. I’m half way through it and am loving it! At the same time, I’m working with BookBaby, writing my own book and self publishing with them by my side! In around 6 months, you’ll be seeing my name… Wendy Martin
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Loved this book!
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Thanks for the book
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A very interesting story
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Just finished reading this book and I’m glad 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.
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