The Book Report #83

Episode #82

Butter By Asako Yuzuki

The Book

First published in 2017 by Japanese publishers Shinchosha Publishing Co, LTD in Tokyo. And then Great Britain in 2024 by 4th Estate. An imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Polly Barton provided the translation of this story into English.

My copy is a tenth printing, a paperback copy and has 460 pages.

What Did I Think

The main story of this book originally begins with a journalist named Reko, looking for a new story and finds one in the upcoming appeal hearing of Manako Kajii.

Many have tried to get an interview with Kajii. Her friend Reiko suggests trying a different tactic, so she sends a letter complimenting her cooking style, and eventually attracts Kajii’s attention, giving her permission to visit.

Manakos’ crime is gaining favour with men, often elderly or lonely and seducing them until they are unable to continue without her; they kill themselves or die by other means. Kajii pretty much kills them with kindness.

To gain favour with Kajii, Kajii sends Reko on visits and tasks to try out or cook new foods and dishes she would never think of cooking. The added ingredient in most of her recipes is butter, and lots of it. Hence the title. Reko becomes a sort of avatar to the outside world of the prison.

Reko has been stuck in a rut for a very long time and doesn’t know it. And until she started performing all the given requests, she didn’t know that she had been missing out on so many things. Reko becomes a little obsessed with Kajii, and it starts to take over her life. Her new obsession with food slowly gains her a little weight, and people begin to notice the changes.

What is it All About

In the first hundred pages, I couldn’t see the point of the book. It didn’t seem to be leading anywhere. Getting past those hundred pages was when I started to see where it was going. I was able to understand what the book was trying to say. And so I was able to continue to read it.

Mrs Yuzuki is a very detailed writer, but you shouldn’t need a hundred pages to start to understand the meaning of the story.

Who Are You

I believe it starts by talking about feminism and how the modern woman is losing contact with her feminine side, basically being a woman. Women, in the author’s view, want what men have and want the same opportunities in the business world, wanting to conquer and grow. And in Reko’s case, and I presume in others as well, wants the recognition for it too.

But in doing so, she loses her way and becomes a robot, going through the motions.

It then leads to living the life you actually want, instead of living to please everyone else. Shape a world where you can be happy and fulfilled, whether that is with someone or not.

Here we get the other side with Reiko. She leaves her job to be a housewife and hopefully be a mother. But her obsession with it all pushes her husband away, leading her to become jealous and lost in Reko’s attention to Kajii.

This then leads to family, whether blood or not, being connected to the people around you and enjoying their lives while fulfilling your needs and dreams.

But while this is happening, Kajii is there, in the background, trying to manipulate everything going on. She gives Keko the interview she wants, but still finds a way to screw things up for Reko.

Although Kajii is the villain of the story, her manipulations have created understanding and new life in those she has touched, bringing them out of themselves, especially Reko’s relationship with her father and mother. The Devil will always tell you the truth. In this case, it started with the protection of others, and then led to a life of greed, control and gluttony.

Would I Recommend

This is a very detailed story that most will have to be a little patient to connect with. When it finally happens, you will enjoy the characters’ connections, whether it’s bad or good.

If you have the time, I would recommend this book. It is a long haul, but it is worth it.

Please give it a go.

Would you like to purchase your very own copy?

You could try these online stores: Amazon UK/USA. Waterstones. AbeBooks UK/USA, Barnes & Noble or eBay UK/USA.

Alternatively, you could try your local bookshop or even your local library.