Thank you for granting me early access to this novel.

I'm sorry to people who would read this book thinking it's crime fiction, because this is psychological fiction at its finest. I don't even want to put it in a box, the sentence structure in it is orgasmic. I enjoyed the slow pace of the book, character development was subtle but obvious. I enjoyed this a lot!

✨What do you get when you combine a gourmet chef femme fatale with a journalist who just about manages to survive on microwaved food? ✨

Answer: A fascinating insight into the world of Japanese culture, misogyny, fat shaming, the pleasures of delectable cuisine and obsession.

When Manako Kajii is convicted of murdering three men who coincidentally were also her lovers, journalist Rika Machida, the only female journalist at her news office, decides she will be the one to reveal Manako’s motives to the nation.

While she works relentlessly to solve the mystery of Manako, she ends up discovering more about herself than the murderer she is supposed to be interviewing.

While this novel is miles away from the cosy Japanese literature I have read of late, Butter is a compelling, sometimes jarring read that is to be slowly devoured…just like any good meal. 😉

Read if you’re into:
· Vivid descriptions of food
· Japanese culture - obvs
· The messiness that female relationships often find themselves in
· The complexities of families
· Strong women

Oh and just in case you need more reasons to read this book, it’s based on the real life case of Japan’s ‘Konkatsu Killer’.

“There are two things that I simply cannot tolerate: feminists and margarine.”

I devoured Butter, (and not just literally) it took me some time to finish but that was because it made me hungry! I had to keep stopping to make some of the recipes, I made rice with soy sauce and butter, and pancakes with artisan butter, both were amazing. But onto the novel.

“Kajii had given herself that permission. Ignoring other people’s yardsticks, she had decided that she was enough as a woman.”

I loved the discussion of feminism and femininity throughout the novel. Kajii from the start is very clear that she hates feminists but in my opinion she’s portrayed as quite the feminist. Kajii chooses to go against the standard of weight, of womanhood and of social expectations in Japan, which to me is what being a feminist is all about having the ability to choose for yourself. Which I found was in contrast to some of things she would say which were very subservient towards men, a direct contrast but as you read on you see how it all plays out together, in a wonderful display of Kajii’s true ability.

“All women should give themselves permission to demand good treatment, but the world made doing so profoundly difficult.”

The above quote I felt resonate throughout the book, especially at the end, with the public response to Rika - which if you have read the book you may feel the same, but if you have not I will not say more.

I found that Butter is more a vehicle for social commentary that it is a thriller with a murder mystery element, which is fine for me. I enjoyed the social commentary aspect slightly more, but I did enjoy the murder mystery a lot as well, it was enjoyable trying to piece the story together with Rika, and trying to understand Kajii and her motivations.

The pacing was interesting, I found it to be very slow, but looking back on the novel I’m glad it was. One because it’s translated and the translation should be as faithful to the original work as possible but second because Rika’s investigation was over a decent period of time and I don’t think all the plot lines would have come together in a fulfilling way (especially Kajii’s actions) if it had been sped up for the sake of page count.

I was famished for a good book but Butter has me sated. My physical copy is on the way and I look forward to annotating the heck out of it.

Thank you to Asako Yuzuki, Fourth Estate and NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was certainly original but I'm not sure I completely understood it, or what the author was trying to say. The first half was really quite a slog to get through, unless you love detailed descriptions of food. It all picked up around the time Rika and Reiko went to the sister's house, but only for a few chapters before it all tailed off again. I also found the ending to be a bit of a flop.

I appreciated the insights into contemporary Japanese culture and societal norms but, overall, the boo felt a bit flabby and could have done with some editing. There were too many peripheral characters and a few too many messages to have an impact.

Absolutely fascinating book. Enthralling, unsettling - really couldn't put this down and recommend highly.

Thanks to 4th Estate and NetGalley for ARC.
Journalist Rika Machida has been trying to interview the infamous convicted killer Manako Kajii for some time. She decides to try a new tack and contacts her to talk about food and cooking, starting a series of events that will change her life and those of several people around her. This is a pearl necklace of a novel - multi stranded, imperfect and beautiful. It asks a lot of questions about the role of women and men in modern Japanese society as well as exploring our fascination with women who kill, social media pile-ons, and the importance of animal fats. Easy to see why it's a cult hit

I have been so excited to finally pick up Butter by Asako Yuzuki after hearing so many good things and it certainly didn’t disappoint!

Whilst I did struggle a little with the pacing which made me feel like I was getting nowhere at some points, the story itself was very endearing and a read worth investing in if you don’t mind a slightly longer read!

Butter, a cult Japanese bestseller by Asako Yuzuki, translated by Polly Barton can only be described as Master Chef meets true crime documentaries. Plus this novel is inspired by a true story!

This slow paced thriller, shows the unraveling of Rika, a journalist who is investigating a convicted serial killer, Kaji who has killed many of the men she has dated.

But this is not a simple whodunnit. The author also explores found family, the cult of loyalty to your career, and the role of women and society's expectations in Japan. The characters are more than just an investigator and murderer but are real people with motives and desires.

Rika bonds with Kaji over food during her visits to prison. Rika's world starts to expand beyond her beige food as she experiments with recipes and new restaurants so she can report back to Kaji. The food writing in this book was divine, beware this book makes you hungry!

Did Kaji kill her boyfriends and will Rika find out?

Thank you @netgalley for the ebook version of Butter!

A startling touching book about the need for connection and acceptance set amongst the backdrop of a foodie's delight.

I gained weight just by reading this! Two things are certain: I’m going to try Echiré butter and I’m making boeuf bourguignon. This book is quite intriguing - it’s about (female) friendship, trauma, self-discovery and acceptance in spite of cultural norms, misogyny and what is viewed as acceptable by the Japanese society. It’s slow paced and contemplative. And it is based on the true crime story of The Konkatsu Killer. The murderous Manako Kajii is fascinating. It’s a good story with lots of symbolism that offers an interesting insight into the Japanese culture. Thanks to NetGallery for the ARC!

While everyone thinks Kajii has done the murder of her three boyfriends, Rika has a different view of this matter. Trying to get other perspectives on Kajii’s life and prove that she may be innocent, Rika has tried everything she can to get an inclusive interview with Kajii. However, Kajii was not an easy woman to approach as she was narcissistic and misogyny. Rika found the only way to make Kajii open up to her story was through the love of food. Meanwhile, Kajii found Rika's attraction to her an excellent opportunity to ‘use’ Rika to her advantage. Things were all mouthery and yummy for Rika as she ventured into the culinary world through Kajii’s guidance until one day, Rika’s best friend, Reiko, was found missing, and Rika suspected the only person who may know Reiko's whereabouts was Kajii.

The synopsis seems simple, but this story has more in it. I think that, overall, it may suit the themes of psychological fiction. Reading how much Rika wants to interview Manako Kajii because, perhaps in all her misogyny, arrogant, and not achieving the ‘beauty standard set by society’ (Kajii is a bit chubby and decent in her appearance), she may be innocent with the murdered charges. This has also created tension for Rika and her company. Less than she knows, her new bud relationship with Kajii significantly impacts her life and those around her. It all starts with an ingredient we call Butter. It was the first introduction to Rika’s culinary adventure, as she called it, ‘butter awakening’. The food glued people to each other in this book regarding traditions and memories, regardless of the outcome.

The book mainly covers culinary art and food, but the plot accelerates when Reiko starts missing. Everyone in this book has toxic traits, but no one is perfect. I may side with Kajii in the first few chapters because of her choice of being what she is without worrying about what other people say, but in the end, Kajii is not the person I want to keep as a friend. I meant that Kajii’s personality has a certain charisma but lends more to the dark side. Rika’s attraction to her changes throughout the book as she becomes more confident and discovers that Kajii is the last person she wants to be. It all comes to the piece that no matter what we are doing, the public still judges, and in the end, it will only come to us to find the best way to take care of our mental health and decide the path we want.

It is a story about women in many forms, toxic traits, living up to the standard that society sets, but also friendship and family, coping with negativity, and the ultimate quest to find your true self. I like it and may reread it if I have time.

I don't think this book is going to be for a lot of people but maaaaaan, did I enjoy it. Yuzuki has a distinct authorial voice and I can't wait to read whatever they write next.

Our protagonist Rika, a female journalist in her 30s, finds her life and her identity tipped upside in the task of interviewing accused murder Kajii.

Butter delves into the concepts of misogyny, expectations of women, loneliness & isolation in society, and pleasure.

The novel is long, and I found myself struggling in middle as the plot begins to thicken. The ending was delicious.

This book touts itself as being inspired by the real case of the convicted con woman and serial killer, "The Konkatsu Killer” - and it seems accurate and as well as stranger than fiction.

With thanks to NetGalley and 4th Estate for my e-ARC of Butter.

I am reading more modern japanese fiction as it becomes more widely available. The stories are often quirky and original and I learn about japanese culture. This was another different story based on a true story. Involving a serial killer and food. Very entertaining whist quite dark at times. There's more to japanese food than ramen!

An interesting premise that gets a little bogged down in the overly descriptive details. I think my problem with Butter primarily resides with my own personal preferences. I'm not interesting in cooking, whether recreational or as a profession, so there was already an immediate barrier between myself and the story. This created a massive uphill battle for the story to really engage me, and Rika and Kaji as characters just didn't have enough pull to make we want to keep reading.

I also didn't like the immediate fat phobic comments - which I know lean into cultural misogyny themes that run throughout the novel, however they're never really properly addressed. Instead the story seems content to skirt around the real issues, occasionally dipping into the psyche of a killer driven by societal pressures, but never getting down to the 'meat' of the problem.

Thank you to Fourth Estate and NetGalley for my advanced-reader copy of this book. This review features my own opinions and authentic thoughts.

“Gourmet cook Manako Kajii sits in Tokyo Detention Centre 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?”

When I first came across Butter on bookstagram, I knew I needed to get my hands on a copy. Murder? True crime? Food? Give me it all. Butter is inspired by the real-life case of ‘The Konkatsu Killer’. As in reality, the case has captivated the nation but the suspect refuses to speak with the press. Manako Kajii stands accused of killing three men, seducing them with her delicious cooking since, of course, as she is not a traditionally beautiful Japanese woman, there could’ve been no other way. Journalist Rika lives a simple and unfulfilling existence. She works lengthy hours as a journalist – the only female reporter on the news desk, eats simple instant ramen meals, and is fairly malaise in character. When she writes to Kajii, a gastronomic exchange of letters and meetings begins.

I flew through this curious book. It’s certainly a slow burner, although it felt apt for all of the gorgeous food imagery and the vivid connections the author makes between food and emotion. What unravels feels like a true obsession, a lovely witty nod towards society’s combined obsession with food, women and killers. Slowly, Rika and Kajii write to each other more and more, discovering their polarised views on women. And we see Rika and her changing relationship with best friend Reiko, who is stubbornly determined to fall pregnant. Female friendship is a topic I am continually fascinated by, and I really enjoyed this element of the novel.

Butter also tackles misogyny in an unsettling and uncanny way. First, the internalised misogyny across all of the female protagonists. I hadn’t noticed until now that I rarely read any characters with this trait. Some of the things that Kajii says are truly awful, a real case of ‘I’m not like other women’. Others are thought processes of Rika and Reiko, a gentle simmering of what is seemingly expected of women. I thought the topic of body image was interesting too, although it could’ve been approached a little more sensitively. It’s obvious throughout that Kajii is not thin, and this makes her unattractive. Since food is a big topic in Butter, it’s sort of impossible to avoid the weight talk, as Rika puts on weight while traversing Kajii’s recipes and blogs.

My final thoughts on this book are mostly, I enjoyed it! But I also can’t seem to place my finger on why. The characters are unlikeable, the subjects tough, it unfurls incredibly slowly, and felt like hard work through a chapter or two. But, I did race through several chapters of this book and I am thoroughly fascinated by the Japanese justice system, the portrayal of women, and all of the gorgeous food descriptions. There’s something really clever and enjoyable about Butter, and perhaps THAT is the deeper message.

This is a really complex tail of body image, food, what does it mean to be a woman and also food. This story was incredibly intriguing and I was immediately drawn in by the cover and the bold colours. Rika is a really interesting narrator for a story like this and it was really interesting to see how she grew as the story progressed. This story builds relationships well, with each side character feeling authentic and real, including our other key character, Kaji. Kaji as a character was so interesting as has all of these contradictions within her - her hatred of women but her craving for relationships. Her love of food but only if it is orthodox and follows HER rules.
Overall I enjoyed this book. I did find especially towards the end the plot started to meander and I found myself regularly checking how many pages were left until it was finished. As well, some subplots felt rather random and while they did contribute to the overall story, definitely could have been tweaked or shortened in some way for better flow. But, the overall shape of the story lent itself well to the structure the author chose to use.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ecco for the ARC!

Some books I race through, some I find myself coming back to and reading over a period of time. Butter definitely fell into the latter category.
Rika Machida, a journalist, obtains a meeting in prison with Manako Kajii, convicted of murdering a series of men and who until Rika asks her in a letter about a recipe of hers, has refused to speak to the press. Kajii agrees to a meeting, albeit one based on food not her crime.
This is the basic premise of Butter, based in part on a real-life ‘incident and a hit in Japan since its publication in 2017,now translated into English.
If you're looking for a Silence of the Lambs or The Sculptress style novel involving a criminal genius or a did they/ didn't they do it style plot you may be disappointed. This is a slow paced book - to say it's a 'slow burn' may even be over playing the crime/ thriller element of it - it's a long, descriptive novel with a lot to say about a lot of things including social misogyny and expectations/ values within Japanese society today, but it's focus is more on the culinary than the crime.
As a fan of many (but not all)things Japanese and having lived there I found the novel interesting in its descriptive nature and enjoyed the slower pace of it and evolving characterisation. The translation seemed a good one in terms of capturing the style without changing the tone - something some readers may find less appealing compared to western literature. There is, at the centre of the story a lot of description of food (whether the decision to publish in English came about due to the popularity of titles like Lessons in Chemistry I don't know: certainly there seems to be a lot of cookery based fiction on the horizon from publishers coming up.) and how much you enjoy the book may depend on how interested you are in Rika's self discovery of herself and her life through regular (very regular and very detailed) descriptions of her expanding culinary vocabulary.

Manako Kajii has been convicted of seducing and killing a number of lonely business men, after relying on them to fund a lavish lifestyle while she cooks and cleans for them. Locked up in Tokyo Detention Centre, Kajii refuses to speak with the press. Until one day, journalist Rika Machida writes asking for her beef stew recipe and Kajii agrees to meet her. Kajii refuses to talk about her case with Rika, wanting only to discuss food. Rika works hard at her news office and never cooks but the more she speaks to Kajii, the more she agrees to seek out the foodie delights Kajii. As time passes, Rika is forced to confront many aspects of her life: friends, family, love life and work, as well as tackling her impression of Kajii. Is Rika feelings towards Kajii softening?

Going into this, I wasn't sure what to expect. Despite the fact that a potential serial killer is at the centre of the book, there isn't a thriller element to this. There are some instances of cat and mouse between Kajii and Rika but nothing very tense. The book is more of a social commentary on feminism and certain double standards in Japan when it comes to being a woman. There is a big focus on a woman's appearance, especially weight, but the book also touches on traditional roles for women and mother's trying to juggle work and home commitments.

Friendship is another big story point, particularly between Rika and her college friend Reiko but also Rika and Kajii. I enjoyed Kajii as a villian, she's a manipulative liar with grandiose feelings for herself but the author does a good job at showing her loneliness and at times, just like Rika, you feel sorry for her.

Food plays a big part of this book and there's many wonderful descriptions. It's also used to explore people's backstories and show parts of their personality. I loved that there are so many different foods explored, from traditional Japanese cuisine to fast food to French haute cuisine. I loved seeing Rika's relationship with food evolve.

If you're looking for something fast paced, this isn't for you. It's long, possibly slightly too long, but it is thought provoking and one that will stick with me for some time!

lovely and delicious, words you would describe a meal but also what I would say about this novel!

Greatly written and entertaining!