Name of Book: Butter
Author: Asako Yuzuki
Publisher: Fourth Estate
Publication Date: 25 April 2024
No. of Pages: 464
Format: Digital
The cult Japanese bestseller about a female gourmet cook and serial killer and the journalist intent on cracking her case, inspired by a true story.
There are two things that I can simply not tolerate: feminists and margarine.
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 Kajii have more in common than she once thought?
Butter by Asako Yuzuki is available on Amazon:
Asako Yuzuki was born in Tokyo in 1981. She won the All Yomimono Award for New Writers for her story "Forget Me, Not Blue," which appeared in her debut novel, published in 2010. She won the Yamamoto Shugoro Award in 2015. She has been nominated multiple times for the Naoki Prize, and her novels have been adapted for television, radio, and film. Butter is her first novel published in English.
"Butter by Asako Yuzuki is a captivating mystery thriller that defies conventions with its unique narrative approach. Unlike typical mysteries, the plot unfolds gradually, blending elements of contemporary fiction seamlessly into its storyline. Yuzuki's writing style is as smooth as butter, enhancing the reading experience. Unexpectedly intertwined with Asian recipes, the novel delves deep into the minds of a serial killer and a journalist without losing its pace. Despite Kajji's negative characterization, she intricately connects every character in the narrative.
The novel also explores complex relationships, posing thought-provoking questions about sacrifices in love. As tensions between characters like Kajji and Rika escalate, readers are compelled to take sides, adding to the book's suspenseful climax. For a unique and thought-provoking read, Butter deserves a solid 5-star rating."
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