Butter by Asako Yuzuki - Review

A review of Butter by Asako Yuzuki.
There are two things that I can simply not tolerate: feminists and margarine.
Gourmet cook Manako Kajii sits in Tokyo Detention Center convicted of the serial murders of lonely businessmen, who she is said to have seduced with her delicious home cooking. The case has captured the nation’s imagination but Kajii refuses to speak with the press, entertaining no visitors. That is, until journalist Rika Machida writes a letter asking for her recipe for beef stew and Kajii can’t resist writing back.
Rika, the only woman in her news office, works late each night, rarely cooking more than ramen. As the visits unfold between her and the steely Kajii, they are closer to a masterclass in food than journalistic research. Rika hopes this gastronomic exchange will help her soften Kajii but it seems that she might be the one changing. With each meal she eats, something is awakening in her body, might she and Kaji have more in common than she once thought?
Inspired by the real case of the convicted con woman and serial killer, "The Konkatsu Killer," Asako Yuzuki’s Butter is a vivid, unsettling exploration of misogyny, obsession, romance and the transgressive pleasures of food in Japan.

[@theresakavi956]

Food is a metaphor for what the characters are hungering for. For example, butter symbolizes the richness of life that most are missing . The characters need to learn to depend on thier own appetites to determine the right amount of butter for their individual lives as opposed to allowing society to dictate it.

[@eha440]

Thanks, you opened my mind with this comment

[@PaulaBlazer-n7l]

Your peppy “hello” makes me smile! 😊

[@nathansnook]

just need to say that the thumbnail for this goes HARD!
have always been drawn to the cover of the book, but had no idea it was a slowburn! thank you for the heads up!

[@Djcooksandbooks]

I loved Butter so much in the beginning, but you are right, it didn’t make much sense in the end.😢

[@heatherkirkland9056]

I picked this book up as cover interesting ! Thanks for the review , my next read.

[@KDbooks]

I’m glad I watched this before continuing with my basket purchase 😂

[@kristenp6547]

I agree with the review. As a woman, I found the talk of women's weight annoying and overdone. One thing is for sure, you don't have to wonder why this book I called Butter, since Butter is mentioned on nearly every page. There is no 'Aha!' moment when the reason for the title is revealed.

[@ullagomez4990]

Love your reviews, thanks! Think I will pass on this one…

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Butter 🧈 is 🔥 tho. 😋

[@Shelf_Improvement]

Love food, but I think I'll pass 🧈