Butter by Asako Yusuki

We picked over the shapely, luminous bones of this fable a la Japonaise. It wafts odours of warm yet strangely eastern ambience. It serves up a delectable blend of new foods, feminism, and a (rather small) dash of murder mystery. And yet, sometimes, the feast seemed more like an overlong mash up, where the ingredients became confused and even lost the interest of some readers.  

We can see how Yusuki has collected and finessed her ingredients, laid out her recipe and then let the dish evolve in its own way as it softly warms to its boiling point before resolving in a comforting meal of gentle happiness with life as it is. The novel immerses you in contemporary Japanese society, offering a deep dive into its cultural quirks, societal expectations, and culinary traditions. It's like stepping into a cozy, yet complex Japanese eatery where every detail has a story to tell. 

We liked the high degree of Yin in the composition of the dish where even the Yang is a resonating sensitivity. As well as the leading base of Rika, Manako and Reiko, we have the leavening effect of Shinoi, Yu and Kitamura and the piquancy of the on/off presence of Makoto. Their background stories are like a well-crafted amuse-bouche, intriguing and leaving you wanting more. 

We liked the description of a life lived in the pressure cooker of a magazine office and the expectations placed on women, leaving little time for culinary or romantic flourishes, contrasted with the unhappy pairing of Reiko and Ryo where marriage does not make you replete. And finding freedom in food is the metaphor for escaping the misogynistic Japanese lifestyle with its emphasis on being slim, clever and accomplished but not in any way in charge and where very young women going out with older men is a norm. 

And what do we make of the fizzing sweet and sour Manako Kajii? An appetising tempter, a caring comforter, a homicidal cook, female freedom fighter or a lonely soul from a provincial and loveless book of recipes? Certainly, someone who defies expectations from liberals and conservatives alike. We liked the draw of the delicious challenge set by Manako to both Rika and Reiko which both drives the steaming narrative and leads to both women finding their own special combinations of food and mood. 

The writing style is a complex dessert, with its dense and opaque narrative that some found challenging. The book's detailed descriptions of food and cooking were a highlight for many, though some found them overdone and repetitive. The translation may have added some complexity, but it also brings out the unique flavours of the original text. 

An intriguing munch through a recognisable yet foreign smorgasbord of modern life. It is a novel that invites you to savour each bite, reflecting on the intricate blend of flavours long after the meal is over. And yet, for some, it was disappointing in neither gripping the reader in suspense nor inviting a strong connection with the characters.

For the first time, it was the feast’s cover that got a plaudit for the clever way it so simply portrayed a complexity of themes and culture, an all-time favourite.

Average score 5.64 out of 10 with a range of 2 to 8!