Fionnáin reviewed Butter by Polly Barton
Saturated storytelling
3 stars
Butter seems to be the hit novel of 2024 in English, although it was published over a decade ago in Japan. Asako Yuzuki's story centres on Rika and her relationships with the world around her, particularly with her friend Reiko and with a convicted serial killer Manako Kajii who she wants an exclusive interview with. It also knits in food and feminism, with a focus on fatty golden butter and the immediate joy is brings to a life.
The book is episodic, and each chapter feels like another story arc from beginning to end. Some are brilliant, engaging and fully alive; some are less so, but every one has something to tell. The treatment of women in society is a central focus, and finding oneself within that is paramount to Rika's (and Reiko's) story. The ending tidies itself up into much too neat of a bow, and some of the …
Butter seems to be the hit novel of 2024 in English, although it was published over a decade ago in Japan. Asako Yuzuki's story centres on Rika and her relationships with the world around her, particularly with her friend Reiko and with a convicted serial killer Manako Kajii who she wants an exclusive interview with. It also knits in food and feminism, with a focus on fatty golden butter and the immediate joy is brings to a life.
The book is episodic, and each chapter feels like another story arc from beginning to end. Some are brilliant, engaging and fully alive; some are less so, but every one has something to tell. The treatment of women in society is a central focus, and finding oneself within that is paramount to Rika's (and Reiko's) story. The ending tidies itself up into much too neat of a bow, and some of the motivations for behaviours leave a little to be desired, but overall this is a strong story with deep and well written characters, and is worth the time.