Butter – Book Review

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 Kaji have more in common than she once thought?

Inspired by the real case of the convicted con woman and serial killer, “The Konkatsu Killer”, Asako Yuzuki’s Butter is a vivid, unsettling exploration of misogyny, obsession, romance and the transgressive pleasures of food in Japan.

I got this book because I thought the plot was really interesting. Kajii is a convicted serial killer and gourmet chef who is locked up in Tokyo Detention Centre. Rika is a journalist, excited to do an article about Kajii. Kajii has a disdain towards feminism in general and Rika seemed to be admired for her character. Rika while talking to Kajii begin exploring about food that are made with butter when there is a shortage of butter in Japan as well as getting to know the character.

The plot seemed like a thriller. But in reality, it talks about misogyny, the fact that being fat is not normal, the fact that the women had to behave or be in the societal way. I did enjoy the book, although it was more than 400 pages long and I like the fact that there were so many vivid descriptions of the food that will make you mouth water and you might feel hungry while reading the book! Kajii seemed to be a very interesting and unique character who doesn’t believe in Japanese societal way. We also see Rika’s own personal drama, including how she is dealing with her father’s suicide and her friendship with Reiko. It was a very interesting and a unique story with a very interesting plot. Also the fact that the story is based on the true story is also an interesting thing.

The only problem I had with the book was it was way too long and this book should not be labeled as a thriller.

Overall this a four star read.

Asako Yuzuki (柚木 麻子, Yuzuki Asako) is a Japanese writer. She won the All Yomimono Prize for New Writers and the Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize. Asako has been nominated multiple times for the Naoki Prize, and her novels have been adapted for television, radio, and film.