Scan barcode
kcarri's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Thank you Fourth Estate and NetGalley for the early review copy ahead of its publication on February 29th in return for a fair and honest review.
TL;DR: interesting toxic relationships all around in a book that's far too long for its own good.
Butter is whole load of things. It's a crime novel, a feminist expose, a feast of food writing, and an emotional journey of grief, connection, and the pitfalls of society.
Butter is, also, good - but not brilliant.
It follows Rika as she secures an illusive interview with the suspected serial killer and fraudster, Kajii months before the criminal is due to go on re-trail. From there, the story plays out as conversations between the two as well as the spiraling chaos that consumes Rika as she falls more and more under Kajii's spell.
Characters in this book do the heavy lifting. Rika's internal monologue in engrossing, genuinely making you feel as if you're descending down this spiral with her. While Kajii's way of speech is so captivating that it drags you into her delusions just as it enchants Rika in the same way. Watching their relationship play out, supporting each other, destroying each other, is so enthralling to flick thorough and this is largely owed to the fabulous translation of this work.
It is impeccably written, managing to create the most engrossing first hundred pages that I have ever read in my entire life. It explores its politics of patriarchy and the expectations society places on women with such clarity while still rich metaphors and texture which is so impressive. If there's one thing you cannot fault, it is how much of amazing job Polly Barton did in translating it. That alone sees it through to the end for me.
But, the book is plotted very strangely, seeming to end far earlier than it does, and then using the remaining pages to answer questions I didn't really feel I needed to know the answer for. And in that filler, I found myself growing tired of this narrative. If it had been skimmed down to 200-300 at the most pages, then ultimately you'd get a much more tighter experience that hammers in its themes and narrative.
That for me is what stops me absolutely adoring this book. While the good are fantastically good, the whole book seems over bloated and frankly dull in sections. That doesn't mean I didn't have a good time with it - and if Japanese feminist literature with a true crime edge is at all your thing, then please give Butter a try, it's worth it - but on the whole, I've left feeling worn by it in a way I didn't expect.
TL;DR: interesting toxic relationships all around in a book that's far too long for its own good.
Butter is whole load of things. It's a crime novel, a feminist expose, a feast of food writing, and an emotional journey of grief, connection, and the pitfalls of society.
Butter is, also, good - but not brilliant.
It follows Rika as she secures an illusive interview with the suspected serial killer and fraudster, Kajii months before the criminal is due to go on re-trail. From there, the story plays out as conversations between the two as well as the spiraling chaos that consumes Rika as she falls more and more under Kajii's spell.
Characters in this book do the heavy lifting. Rika's internal monologue in engrossing, genuinely making you feel as if you're descending down this spiral with her. While Kajii's way of speech is so captivating that it drags you into her delusions just as it enchants Rika in the same way. Watching their relationship play out, supporting each other, destroying each other, is so enthralling to flick thorough and this is largely owed to the fabulous translation of this work.
It is impeccably written, managing to create the most engrossing first hundred pages that I have ever read in my entire life. It explores its politics of patriarchy and the expectations society places on women with such clarity while still rich metaphors and texture which is so impressive. If there's one thing you cannot fault, it is how much of amazing job Polly Barton did in translating it. That alone sees it through to the end for me.
But, the book is plotted very strangely, seeming to end far earlier than it does, and then using the remaining pages to answer questions I didn't really feel I needed to know the answer for. And in that filler, I found myself growing tired of this narrative. If it had been skimmed down to 200-300 at the most pages, then ultimately you'd get a much more tighter experience that hammers in its themes and narrative.
That for me is what stops me absolutely adoring this book. While the good are fantastically good, the whole book seems over bloated and frankly dull in sections. That doesn't mean I didn't have a good time with it - and if Japanese feminist literature with a true crime edge is at all your thing, then please give Butter a try, it's worth it - but on the whole, I've left feeling worn by it in a way I didn't expect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexism, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence
laurenabayne's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
3.25
If you enjoyed reading Sweetbitter or Milk Fed, this book is for you. It's the same sort of highbrow, over-the-top description of food and use of food as metaphor that will be devoured (pun intended) by arty readers. Like Sweetbitter, Rika embarks on a journey of learning her own tastes and limits, spurred on by an enigmatic individual. Like Milk Fed, this book confronts the experience of women in a world of men and the impact of female beauty standards. Yet this book is uniquely its own beast.
I want to preface my review by stating that I am an American reviewer. I am from the Midwest, and I'm reviewing this book specifically for American audiences.
For those enticed by the title and the promise of murder, it disappoints on that front. There is no murder here; the "did she do it" narrative is minimal and predictable. It's easy to see how Rika gets duped by Kajii, but readers will not fall into the spell. You'll be rooting for Rika to break out of her infatuation more than anything else. The pacing itself was a bit rough; the chapters were far too long, and the switching in POV in the third act was jarring. I found myself bored throughout reading, even with the stunning descriptions of food.
Obviously this book was written for Japanese audiences, but international audiences should take care while reading. The discussion of size may be triggering - when Rika is at her heaviest, she is still about 130 pounds. As for the predominant role of butter in Kajii's culinary allure, it will be hard for Americans to fully appreciate the Japanese tastebuds of the characters, since butter is so prevalent in our society. My rating is not at all based on this, it is based on what I wrote above, but I figured it was worth mentioning.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review! This was only my second time reading a translated book, so I am glad that NetGalley helped me expand my reading horizons :)
I want to preface my review by stating that I am an American reviewer. I am from the Midwest, and I'm reviewing this book specifically for American audiences.
For those enticed by the title and the promise of murder, it disappoints on that front. There is no murder here; the "did she do it" narrative is minimal and predictable. It's easy to see how Rika gets duped by Kajii, but readers will not fall into the spell. You'll be rooting for Rika to break out of her infatuation more than anything else. The pacing itself was a bit rough; the chapters were far too long, and the switching in POV in the third act was jarring. I found myself bored throughout reading, even with the stunning descriptions of food.
Obviously this book was written for Japanese audiences, but international audiences should take care while reading. The discussion of size may be triggering - when Rika is at her heaviest, she is still about 130 pounds. As for the predominant role of butter in Kajii's culinary allure, it will be hard for Americans to fully appreciate the Japanese tastebuds of the characters, since butter is so prevalent in our society. My rating is not at all based on this, it is based on what I wrote above, but I figured it was worth mentioning.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review! This was only my second time reading a translated book, so I am glad that NetGalley helped me expand my reading horizons :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Fatphobia, Toxic friendship, and Body shaming
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Alcoholism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
naraya's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Moderate: Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Sexual violence
More...