2.25

I don't think I went into this book with the right expectations and that colored my reading experience. While this is tagged as a Japanese Mystery/Thriller, this is much more of a literary exploration of obsession and misogyny with a con woman/serial killer and the reporter looking to write a story about her at the center of the story.

I think this is incredibly well written, but I think the narrative felt a little too long. This book clocks in at 452 pages (with a 17 hour 12 minute audiobook) and I felt every page/minute. Thematically, this is an interesting conversation about femineity and beauty standards and the way women are often expected to perform in ways that serve men at their own expense. I think it's well done but the themes get repetitive due to the length.

Given the thematic exploration, major content warning for conversations around food and weight so if you struggle with that then maybe give this one a pass. I personally struggled quite a bit with the depictions of body image and self worth related to weight.

Butter by Asako Yuzuki is a strikingly original novel that defies traditional genre boundaries, blending elements of culinary writing, crime, and psychological exploration. Set in Japan, the story follows reporter Rika Saginuma as she delves into the mysterious life of Manako Kajii, a woman accused of killing her lovers—allegedly using food as her weapon of seduction.

At the heart of the novel is Rika’s growing fascination with Manako, a complex figure who eludes easy categorization. Manako is known for her exceptional cooking, and as Rika investigates the accusations against her, she begins to unravel the interplay between desire, food, and control. The novel is not a fast-paced thriller but a slow burn, simmering with tension as Rika gets closer to Manako, both literally and metaphorically.

Yuzuki uses food as a central motif, weaving it into every part of the narrative. The meals prepared by Manako are described in lavish, almost sensual detail, showcasing food as an intimate, almost transformative act. Through these culinary scenes, the novel probes deep questions about indulgence, femininity, and societal expectations. The title Butter itself is symbolic of the richness and temptation that defines both Manako’s cooking and her character, as well as the potentially harmful effects of excess.

Rika’s investigation soon becomes more than a professional pursuit—it’s a journey of self-discovery. As she spends more time with Manako, Rika confronts her own insecurities about her identity, body image, and the pressure to conform to societal norms, especially those related to women’s roles in Japan. The relationship between the two women is complex, with Manako acting as both a foil and mirror to Rika’s own internal struggles.

What sets Butter apart is Yuzuki’s subtle yet powerful commentary on Japanese society’s rigid expectations for women. Through Manako’s unapologetic love for cooking and her defiance of typical gender roles, the novel critiques the way women are often judged for their desires—whether it’s a love for food, ambition, or sensuality. Rika’s own grappling with these issues adds an additional layer of depth to the narrative, making it as much about self-exploration as it is about solving the mystery.

Yuzuki’s writing is both evocative and thought-provoking, filled with moments of introspection and tension. The novel moves at a deliberate pace, allowing readers to marinate in its themes and complex character dynamics. Though the mystery itself takes a backseat to character development and thematic exploration, Butter is a rewarding read for those who appreciate literary fiction with a psychological edge.

Overall, Butter is a nuanced and multi-layered novel that offers a unique take on crime fiction while also exploring deeper themes of identity, desire, and the cultural expectations placed on women. It’s a rich, savory story that lingers in the mind long after the final page, much like the decadent dishes Manako serves to her lovers. For readers who enjoy slow-burning narratives with psychological and cultural depth, Butter is an exceptional and memorable experience.

Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder by Asako Yuzuki intertwines the seductive world of gourmet cooking with dark themes of obsession and murder. The story follows journalist Rika Machida as she seeks an interview with Manako Kajii, a convicted serial killer whose culinary skills have captivated the public. Through their exchanges, Rika finds herself drawn into Kajii's world, leading her to confront societal expectations of women in Japan and her own desires. With lush descriptions of food and a slow-burn narrative, the novel serves as both a gripping thriller and a commentary on gender roles, ultimately encouraging women to embrace their individuality and desires​.

This was a 3.75 star read for me maybe 4 . im on the fence. this was not the thriller i thought it would be. its based on the story of a serial killer who used food to lure her men in. the irony was she was just a women nothing spectacular by society magazine standards. she struggled with weight an self esteem. this book is a lot to unpack and def worth a read.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Despite this book being slower than I anticipated, I greatly enjoyed it! It follows a journalist (Rika) as she interviews a serial killer (Kaiji) and they talk about recipes, love, marriage, and female company.

This novel has a very philosophical bent to it, as it covers many things like the value of women in society, human connection, and fixation. The strange connection between Rika and Kaiji and their connection through food gave me slight Hannibal vibes, so I'm here for that.

There were portions of this book that were slow, but with the more philosophical bent, that is to be expected. Additionally, there is a lot of discussion about weight in this book, which could be triggering to some people.

Thank you to NetGalley and ECCO for this ARC.

What I liked:
The food talk
Our MC felt very flat

What I didn’t like:
The constant talk of body images/body negativity (although I know this is common in Asian culture)
The little talk of the murders that took place
The length, this book could have been 100 pages shorter and more effective

I really enjoyed this book quite a bit. I think the way the author developed the relationship between Rika and Manako was very well done. I don't know if I would categorize this book as a thriller but it was a great exploration of women and society in Japan.

Based on a true story, this unbelievable, couldn't make this up plot is deliciously spellbinding!

What happens when a journalist becomes obsessed with a convicted serial killer who is in prison for killing men allegedly with food, and through conversations with said killer discovers the enjoyment of eating, savoring and even cooking exciting dishes? While she decides to entice the criminal into becoming a confidant and get an exclusive interview for her paper, she somehow becomes a changed woman.

But the murderer has different plans as she sends the journalist on an extravagant goose hunt as they play a cat and mouse games as to which one of them will in the end get what they want or perhaps need.

When journalist Rika Machida writes a letter to Manako Kajii who is in prison for murdering men (with food) Rika thinks she is clever. She does not come out and ask for an interview but asks for a recipe to entice Kajii into seeing her. But it gets her into the door. To Rika's surprise she sees she has been conned by Kajii who tells her not to come back until she has eaten and savored a meal with a particular type of butter.

Rika discovers through Kajii she has a newfound love for food. They start a complicated relationship with Rika trying to insert questions about Kajii's life and trying to discover the reason Kajii may have killed these men or if she even did. Will Rika ever really know? Or will Kajii continue to feed her morsels of information about her past life.

At some point, Rika begins to not particularly care about the reason as she discovers her life has been changed by Kajii's food selections. Until something happens. Which changes everything.

Enter the world of Butter and you will discover how food can change a person's world, personality, career and love-life. With these changes you learn about friends you never knew you had. But will the question of if she killed be answered? Dig into Butter and find out!

Thank you #NetGalley #Ecco #Asako Yuzuki/PollyBarton #Butter for the advanced copy.

I really struggled to get through this one. I feel as if some things were simply lost in translation. I am willing to give it another try because I have seen some good reviews on Butter.

Nope.
This was not for me.
I was really bored while reading this.
I had to switch to audio just to get through more than half of it.
In the end I DNF'd it at 72% because I just couldn't do anymore.
It's extremely dry and I could not get into it.
Thanks to NetGalley & Ecco for my ARC.

Butter is a trippy foodie real-crime novel by Asako Yuzuki. Released 16th April 2024 by HarperCollins on their Ecco imprint, it's 368 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out in Feb. 2025 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is a surprisingly philosophical book full of wry observations about life, gender roles, body image, and food (and murder). It's loosely based on the real life, arrest, and convictions of Kanae Kijima who serially seduced, defrauded, and subsequently murdered lonely businessmen over a period of several years in Japan.

Originally published in Japanese in 2017 it gained a cult following. The English language translation work by Polly Barton is seamless and unobtrusive and the prose flows very well.

Classy, cool, and well written, there's nothing frenetic or outré about the book, and it winds up being a lot more psychological and philosophical than murder-y, with deep ruminations on systemic misogyny, fat-shaming-culture, human nature, and society.

Four stars. Weird but very well written.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The cover of this book instantly caught my attention! Love it! I had read mixed reviews of this book but that didn't stop me for requesting it. I really loved this book. I think a lot of people think this will be a serial killer book that focuses on killing the victims. It doesn't. Its so much more than that. I loved the feminist themes and how all women deal with so much misogyny. I also loved the female friendship in this book. Overall a great book. I just wished it would of had shorter chapters. It took me a while to get through it.

I knew this would be a book for me once it was advertised to me as a Foodie's dream. They were right, this book contained two of my favourite things; food and crime.

I thought this was going to be about a serial killer and all the yummy food she cooks (I thought there might have even been a dollop of cannabalism in there too I cannot lie)., but Butter is so much more than that. The way the topics of societal standards and feminism were touched upon in this novel is truly what made it so captivating and enjoyable for me. Additionally. the themes of body positivity (while could be triggering for some) were really interesting to read about and were handled so well in my opinion.

I greatly enjoyed this novel and would absolutely love to pick up other works by this author.

I really enjoyed Butter. I appreciated that this novel dealt not only with the aspect of Kajii’s psychology and the “why” of the crimes that she committed but also that through Rika, it looks at real issues that many women face like misogyny and the expectations that are placed on women in so many areas: their weight, relationships, having to often make a choice between having kids and working long hours to excel in their career. There were so many good points made in the book. Although the more plot driven parts revolve around Kajii, what I liked most was following Rika and those around her who were just regular people dealing with their own problems. Even though this is a book that does involve real issues - I think because all the food descriptions and details of Rika’s daily life and the building of a family made of her friends - there was just something so cozy about it. I really looked forward to getting into bed every night and reading it.

My only quips were that at about 58% the novel takes a turn and I wasn’t sure was going to work for me and while I did think that storyline (with Reiko going to stay with Yokota) was really unbelievable and I felt it just fizzled out, it got back on track quickly and at 464 pages, at times it felt overly long but neither of those things really effected my enjoyment of the book.

Thank you for the opportunity to read the ARC. I plan on buying a finished copy for my Japanese literature collection.

I really wanted to love Butter by Asako Yuzuki (translated by Polly Barton) but it was a solid like for me. That may have some part to do with the fact that murder thrillers are not my typical cup of tea but I believe it is more to do with the length of the novel. While the descriptions of food were often delightful and seemingly delicious (and will surely be enjoyed by the biggest culinary connoisseur), much of felt like overkill (pun not intended). I wanted so often to get moving forward with the plot but we would be stuck on Rika's experiences with ramen and rice in butter instead. However, I will give points to the butter metaphor that is woven throughout very well. I will say aside from the pacing, this one was an enjoyable read, and I am intrigued to read more from Asako Yuzuki if her work is translated into English in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ecco for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5⭐️

I found the premise of <b>Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder</b> by <b>Asako Yuzuki</b> (translated by <b>Polly Barton</b>) to be truly intriguing. The plot revolves around Rika Machida, a thirty-three-year-old journalist who pursues a story on the suspected serial killer, Manako Kajii who enticed men she met on dating sites with her lavish cooking and extracted huge sums of money from them. After three of her suitors were found dead under mysterious circumstances, the now thirty-five-year-old Kajii was found guilty and is currently awaiting her second trial after appeal while being held in a detention facility. Initially reluctant to talk to Rika, she agrees to meet her after Rika expresses her interest in Kajii’s cooking. Though Kajii refuses to talk about the case, she is more than eager to share her views on food (butter being an integral ingredient in her recipes) and as the narrative progresses, we follow how Rika’s approach to life, her worldview, and of course, her relationship with food changes and beliefs about body image change as she is drawn into Kajii’s world.

Inspired by true events (the 2012 case of the 'Konkatsu Killer' Kanae Kijima), this is a slow-moving lengthy character-driven novel that touches upon themes of friendship, food and culture, family, misogyny, societal expectations, feminism, body image and self-acceptance.
The story primarily revolves around how Rika’s life is impacted as a result of her association with Kajii and her obsession with Kajii as a person which often derails her from her investigative intentions before she begins to see Kajii for exactly who she is. Kajii is an interesting character- straightforward, unapologetic and shrewdly manipulative. All the characters are well thought out and the descriptions of the food and Kajii’s recipes make for interesting reading. I particularly enjoyed how the author incorporates folklore into the narrative and found how the parallels between the same and the events in the novel are drawn fascinating.

Please note that the “murder” element is not a central theme of this novel, which I did find a bit disappointing. Several sub-plots are woven into the story and I did feel that the narrative digressed often and lost momentum as it progressed. However, the story is engaging and kept me invested as details from both Rika’s and Kajii’s lives were revealed as the narrative progressed. The author has touched upon several relevant themes in this novel and the author is brutally honest in her depiction of the unpleasantness that women have to deal with in terms of body image and how the same affects one's sense of self-worth. Despite the slow pace, there are enough surprises along the way to keep you engaged and though I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I had hoped (which I believe was partly because I expected a bit more focus on the criminal aspect), I certainly found this novel to be an interesting read.

Many thanks to Ecco for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Butter is a clever look at women, food and relationships in modern Japan. The color of the cover as well as the shocking simplicity of the one-word title caught my eye, the concept kept my attention. The story follows a young female journalist in Tokyo who strikes up a fascination, even an 'interviewship' (as opposed to a friendship) with a food-obsessed female serial killer of men she has dated. The subject matter covers everything from Japanese culture, to women's personal AND professional roles, all with a foodie spin on things.

The book moves a little slowly for me, but uniqueness of the topic is worth the read.

Thank you for this ARC from ECCO, which I received for an honest review of the book.

I don't think I've ever known a book to leave me hungrier or more satiated?? WILD.

Butter was an absolute delight to read. I loved diving into the cultural commentary of feminism, diet and food culture, and sexism in corporate practices. Our protagonist, Rika, a magazine employee in her 30s, becomes enamored and perplexed by the case of Kajii, a woman accused of murdering three of her ex-lovers through feeding and influencing them with her delicious food. Kajii was an enigmating and perplexing object of Rika's fascination, and the reader has the perspective of peeking in on possibly another one of her potential victim's.

I loved the exploration Rika has because of her relationship with Kajii in nearly every aspect of her life: her self-image and vices, troublesome family dynamics with her late father, friendships, even romantic relationships and pleasure. The novel felt very wholistic in that way, though it did take a significant amount of page time to build such a complex narrative.

Lastly, the food descriptions left me craving all the rich, buttery flavors the book describes. Truly, a better book could not be written for any foodie, so if that's your thing, I can't imagine you not loving this.

I think this settles with me around a 4 star read. It wasn't particularly punching, but I do think it was a beautiful and interesting piece of writing to dive into.

This was such an interesting book! I love books about cooking and serials and this one has both! We follow two women, Manako Kajii, who is a chef and is currently in jail for killing a bunch of businessmen. She won't talk to anyone about these murders until a journalist, Rika Machida, writes her a letter asking her for a recipe. That is where we start off and the book just gets crazier from there. I really enjoyed the writing and I thought that the plot was well paced. Overall, if you like thrillers, mysteries, or true crime you should check this out!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Ecco for the ARC in exchange for an honest review of "Butter" by Asako Yuzuki, translated from Japanese by Polly Barton. When I read the premise of this book, I was so excited to pick it up because it sounded wildly entertaining and interesting. Unhinged and complicated women in literary fiction are my favorite characters to read about. I couldn't believe that I could get a copy of this because it sounded like the book of the summer. However, when I read this book I realized that it was not what I imagined. I see that a lot of other people are mentioning the translation and I have to agree with them. Once I realized what type of book I'd get, I lowered my expectations and had a good time. It's a more intimate perspective of Japanese women navigating societal norms. It wasn't as unsettling as the blurb promised but I enjoyed the descriptions of food and the obsessive detail of preparation and plating. I don't recommend reading this when you're hungry.