Butter
Paperback Published on: 29/02/2024
£14.99
Bookseller Reviews
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Dark and delicious
This rather gorgeous proof (many thanks @harperinsider )has been waiting for me for a while, slightly intimidating me with its hefty blockiness, but once I... READ MORE
An absolute SERVE!
What's a better combination than food and female serial killer? Food & female serial killer being told in the most beautiful and lyrical prose that I've ev... READ MORE
Delicious
Aasako Yuzuki's novel is based on the real-life events surrounding the 'Konkatsu Killer', the case of Kanae Kijima who was found guilty and sentenced to de... READ MORE
Butter
A compelling crime thriller that critiques the institutional misogyny that permeates work/ home life.
To Be Savoured
This book caught my eye even before publication, and I was eager to grab a copy.
(In my haste nearly grabbing it out of my colleagues hands in fact... Sor... READ MORE
Do not read on an empty stomach!
Butter is a contemporary novel that comments on misogyny, food and diet culture within Japanese society. It is served with a side of crime sub-genre, a fem... READ MORE
When is a crime novel not a crime novel?
One of the surprise successes of the year, this book is worth every bit of praise. Based on the famous Japanese criminal case of the “Konkatsu” Killer, thi... READ MORE
I recommend to anyone who devours Japanese translation or wants a taste of darkness but not a whole bite.
Butter by Asako Yusuki
A fascinating forensic character study and commentary of Japanese culture.
Butter is an absorbing novel which highlights the s... READ MORE
Synopsis
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.
- Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
- ISBN: 9780008511685
- Number of pages: 464
- Weight: 440g
- Dimensions: 216 x 135 x 40 mm
Customer Reviews
View allAn interesting and entertaining read.
Butter is the first novel, of several award-winners by Japanese author, Asako Yuzuki to be translated into English by Polly Barton. After many frustratingl... READ MORE
You butter believe it
I deeply enjoyed this for its exploration of food, friendship, and the unreal standards women in Japan have to navigate at every stage of their lives. Rika... READ MORE
Will leave you hungry
When journalist Rika pursues accused serial killer Manako Kajii for an exclusive interview, her life changes. Rika’s determination to not only catapult her... READ MORE
Highly recommended
Dark, original, fascinating. A book that I thoroughly enjoyed and kept me reading. A twisty and surprising plot, well rounded characters, plensy of surpris... READ MORE
A story of food and death
Manako Kajii is a convicted serial killer. She’d seduced three men by cooking them gourmet food and then killed them off, one by one. Or did she? There is ... READ MORE
Don't listen to the hype because if you, you'll be disappointed...
Thank you Fourth Estate and NetGalley for the early review copy ahead of its publication on February 29th in return for a fair and honest review.
Butter... READ MORE
Really different but captivating story
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. The storyline, the setting, all so different.
At first, it seemed like a strange title for a book that isn’t a cookbook - ... READ MORE
Fantastic
I really enjoy reading Japanese fiction (translated of course) and I was intrigued when I read the blurb for Butter. Particularly that is it was inspired b... READ MORE
Facinating read
I found this book an absolutely fascinating look at Japanese culture in relation to women and food. Through the exploration of the recipes and restaurants ... READ MORE
Deliciously Twisted
Based on true story of the ‘Konkatsu Killer’, Butter is not the high octane thrill ride one might expect - it’s far more physiological.
We follow Rika,... READ MORE
A must-read for fans of Japan and cooking
"Butter" by Asako Yuzuki is a fascinating read. Translated into English from Japanese, I think the translator did a good job. If you like food and crime ... READ MORE
Sated
“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 finis... READ MORE
So bad it was funny
I was definitely hoodwinked by the funky cover and intriguing concept. But the book was probably 200 pages too long, packed full of pointless filler and ji... READ MORE
Incredible
Loved this book. Took so many turns that I didn't expect. Loved the way it explored and exposed modern day misogyny. But most of all, I loved the journey t... READ MORE
Fantastic read, not what I expected
This is not my usual type of read. In fact, I would have never picked it up had it not been for a recommendation from one of the team in the Chesterfield s... READ MORE
Really good
Really interesting story as well as an interesting insight into Japanese culture and beauty norms. Covers lots of different themes - really enjoyed!
Buttery richness in so many ways
Book Review - no spoilers
Butter by Asako Yuzuki
Manako Kaji, a gourmet cook, is on trial for the murder of three men she "dated" before they died un... READ MORE
Wonderful study of crime, gender, obsession in modern Japan
Beautifully written (and translated) study of essentially what it means to be a woman in modern Japan. I found Butter to be a captivating, well paced novel... READ MORE
Wasn’t impressed
I honestly wasn’t impressed by this book. I just came back from reading abroad in Japan, and this was rather more than disappointing. I’m sure other people... READ MORE
Decidedly different
LOST IN TRANSLATION?
Gourmet cook Manako Kajii is in a Tokyo detention centre, accused and convicted of murdering three lovers and extorting money from... READ MORE
I think my cholesterol will need checking after this!
My sole experience of Japanese literary fiction is Yoko Ogawa’s “The Memory Police” (2019), admittedly a good one as I rated it five stars. I thought that... READ MORE
too long
This is a story based on a real-life serial killer in Japan. I have to say that the translation is really good and very immersive! However, the story in it... READ MORE
Plenty of butter
Plenty of butter and descriptions of food and how food makes you feel - a journalist investigates the case of a female serial killer, accused of taking adv... READ MORE
some interesting themes
I was looking forward to reading this book, I've enjoyed visiting Japan in the past, experiencing a difficult culture, and really loved the food! There wer... READ MORE
Loooong
Manako Kajii is being held in Tokyo Detention Centre convicted of the murders of multiple lonely men, who she allegedly seduced with her delicious home coo... READ MORE
A delightful insight into Japanese culture, murder and food
I can promise you one, possibly two, things about this novel – it will make you hungry and may very well inspire you to prepare and eat food in a way never... READ MORE
Delectable
Butter had a vociferous appetite and provided the goods to satisfy any reader craving a complex culinary delight of a book.
This is such a stunning boo... READ MORE
Interesting
I was sent a copy of Butter by Asako Yuzuki to red and review by NetGalley. At first I thought I would despair of yet another book that seemed to be on th... READ MORE
Not as Good as I had hoped
I wanted to like this more than I did. The story of how journalist, Rika Machida gets interview privileges with the notorious Manako Kajii, a woman impriso... READ MORE
Butter
An interesting book but unless you like reading about dietary habits, cooking classes and recipes there is not much plot.
Social commentary and self-discovery with food as a vehicle
Butter follows a journalist, Rika, and the unusual dynamic that develops between her and Manako who has been convicted of seducing and causing the death of... READ MORE
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