Welcome to Litsy!

This novel is longer than it seems. It unfolds in a similar way to many Japanese novels I've read, peopled by characters with rich internal lives and busy but somewhat held-back lives. It makes me think of the pressure that builds up when playing a double-reed instrument. The main character is recognizing this pressure through the article she's writing and trying to identify ways to opt out of some of the pressure. I enjoyed it.

A book to make you hungry, about a journalist interviewing a gourmet blogger who‘s killed three times.

Not what the blurb suggests, or is much more nuanced anyway.
Whilst àn account of her relationship with Kajji, it's also her own journey of self awareness, misogyny and culture and how women fall into that. Her developing friendships which blossom through shared occasions.
Too long in places but a very good and worthy read.

I started this 4 months ago for #camplitsy but set it aside. I‘m picking it back up in hopes of finishing it this time. And yes, I know it was not universally appreciated by the readers back then but I am nothing if not contrary, so here‘s hoping I enjoy it!

My irl group discussed this bk this evening. Great discussion of a story that explores cultural expectations of women, weight, + food in Japan. Told by reporter Rika, who interviews Kajii, apparent female serial killer of older men. Kajii is a gloriously manipulative character who twists Rika + her best friend Reiko round + round. A fascinating look at Japan, a country I'd love to visit. Overlong, no murders, but enjoyable + grt for a bk grp

I know this is based on true events, but I was never more than casually interested in how the story would unfold. I had the feeling some of the translation was a little awkward. I‘m also sure I would have enjoyed it more if I were a foodie. 😊

I feel like I‘ve been on a bit of a rollercoaster ride with this book. At times, the level of detail was infuriating, I found the behaviour of the main character, Rika, difficult to understand, and I was expecting to give it a low score, but by the end, I felt a connection with Rika. I loved the book, and I‘ve got lots of ideas for simple food involving butter that I can make when I get home from work!

3/5 🌟

A journalist seeks an exclusive interview with a woman on trial for the murder of three men. Did she commit the crime or not? I loved the premise, the writing, and the themes of gender roles and body image. However, the book was too lengthy. It would have been a much better book if it had been more concise.

It only took me almost 3 months, but I finally finished this, #CampLitsy! I thought of quitting many times, but something inside of me wanted to finish. Learning about the culture and delicious descriptions re: food was what made me want to finish. The story itself dragged on way too long, and I found most of the characters unlikable, especially Kajii, the so-called serial killer who is set to go on trial. Too much telling and not enough showing.

My Libby loan runs out in a couple days idk if I‘m gonna make it 😬😬😬

#FirstLineFriday

Soft pick.

Overly long book about beauty standards and the treatment of women in Japan. Gave some interesting perspectives, but I found it a bit dry (possibly because I dislike reading about food - if I can't eat it, what's the point?)

The murder aspects were over-marketed. Really this is a book about food and female friendship.

"...she had made no decisions herself, but simply reached for whatever was esteemed by the world."

I missed the #CampLitsy discussion of this one, because I really struggled to get through it. For a book subtitled “A Novel of Food and Murder” (two of my favorite subjects), I was SO bored. It may be partially my fault for expecting more of a murder mystery, suspense aspect, so I was disappointed when that wasn‘t there. And the food descriptions were redundant and felt forced. Overall not a fan. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I am in the minority for #CampListy24 but I really enjoyed this, I thought it was a fascinating look at culture through the eyes of a fictional journalist with a true crime murderess as the inspiration. I don't normally like food based books but I thought it worked well here, I found myself eating a lot more rice than I normally do!
I liked how Reiko and Rka play off each other & are played by Kajii. Well written and lots to ponder.

June was a good reading month, probably because I only had one chunkster over 500 pages, Independent People. Butter was easily my favorite with Razorblade Tears very closely behind. I read five books about #Iceland for #foodandlit (although Clear felt like it was in Iceland), two for #CampLitsy24, and two for #authoramonth. @Catsandbooks @Soubhiville @BarbaraBB @Megabooks @squirrelbrain

This was a real slog for me. Would not recommend. Happy to have finally finished! #CampLitsy24

I went into this #CampLitsy24 selection with low expectations, it really did not seem like a book I'd pick up, but I was pleasantly surprised! I am a fan of slightly messy books about women trying to live outside of other people's expectations, and this fit right into that vein. I also love reading about food, so I enjoyed Rika's journey of discovery through cooking. It was by no means a perfect read, but it was one that will stay with me. cont'd

#ReadAway2024

Read for ##CampLitsy24 this one gets a pick from me. It‘s not without issues like a slow start & less thrills than I was expecting. On the plus side were the food descriptions (I‘m looking at my butter differently now 🧈😉) & the Japan setting. I spent a good amount of time there in the late 90s & knew & could picture many of the Tokyo areas & neighborhoods mentioned. The second half of the book picked up & I found myself caught ⬇️

A light pick. Definitely a case of false advertising. There wasn‘t nearly enough murder talk. But I do enjoy food writing and was invested in Rika‘s journey. It just went on a tad too long. #CampLitsy24

3✨ I really enjoyed the food descriptions that made me crave the amazing food described. I‘m not sure the book needed to be as long as it was it started to drag at the end for me. However, our main character grew a lot through the story. I wasn‘t too excited for the murder aspect, but it added depth. #camplitsy

The themes of misogyny and the importance of all kinds of friendships resonated with me. 5⭐️
#CampLitsy24

“Women‘s work,” domesticity, FOOD, gourmands, self-care and self-deprivation. Winding set-up, translation feels clunky. Japanese culture. Friendship, community, seeking help. Satiation and soothing. 2024

171 “Refusing to look after yourself because there‘s nobody around to care about you is a form of violence towards somebody.”

179 “A gourmand was ultimately a seeker of the truth.”

187 “Humans just need rice, don‘t they? Basically.”

Question 3 of 3

This is it for today and for Butter and for our first month of #CampLitsy24. We hope you‘ve all enjoyed camping so far. Later today I‘ll get back to you about the vote for our June winner!

Question 2 of 3

There is so much to discuss about this book that it‘s almost a pity we only have three questions! There are so many characters and themes and storylines in our second #CampLitsy24 book 🧈!

Question 1 of 3

Welcome to our #CampLitsy24 discussion of the second half of Butter. We know the book has received mixed reviews and some bails too among our campers. So a few of us will probably prefer the beach to the book today. Enjoy summer 🏖️ , the rest of us are here for it 🧈!

This book is making me really hungry. Namely, this chapter on Ramen 🍜 🤤 #CampLitsy @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain @Megabooks I‘m trying to catch up for tomorrow‘s discussion. I have a mild summer cold so it‘s not hard to lay around today. 😅

See last 3 posts.

I am hoping that this book progresses in a way that makes it obvious that it's all social satire. Still... it's very hard to read these perspectives without wanting to have stern words with the various characters!

I can't say I concur, book!

WHAT THE HECK, BOOK?

Me reading Butter like... 😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐

When all of the books you're reading are conspiring to bum you out...

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8ubn8DCFJd/?igsh=aHhiOTRleDN6aDRq

I‘m still on #TeamLoveIt even if like others mentioned it‘s not about murder as billed. Can‘t wait for #CampLitsy this weekend!

Initially,this book seemed tedious & repetitive to me.Rika was not a likable protagonist.But because it was a #Camplitsy24 pick, I persevered.Rika is a journalist on the hunt for Kajii,a serial killer‘s story. Rika became enmeshed with Kajii who manipulated her into performing tasks on demand.Fortunately her best friend & others helped her leave Kajii‘s skewed reality & separate herself from her, enabling Rika to regain her sense of self. 🧈🧈

The end of Rika‘s long journey of self discovery. She is full of hope. #Camplitsy24

I want those hours of my life back. Despite the cover calling this a novel of food and murder, it is not a crime novel. I found the whole thing tedious, unnecessarily angsty, filled with way too many tangents, and I never want to see another stick of butter as long as I live. #camplitsy24

One thing I haven‘t seen anyone touch on yet for this #camplitsy24 read is the LGBTQIA+ themes, and Rika‘s mentions of the girls at school, as well as her comments about fascinating both genders, and being a “prince”.

It made me expect something to happen to clarify whether Rika was bisexual and whether Japanese society was causing her to suppress those desires.

I‘m not sure if I‘m reading too much into this though. 🤔

What did you think?

I loved this book. Not really a murder mystery but rather a deep introspection into a female journalist‘s self image as she learns more about herself while interviewing a serial killer in prison for a magazine story. The killer insists the journalist try the tastiest foods, with butter of course, in Tokyo and tells her all about them in return for more interviews. Heaven forbid, the journalist gains some weight. She then realizes how society ⬇️

I want to thank #camplitsy for choosing this. I learned a lot about Japanese culture, the food in this was FANTASTIC, I loved seeing how the main character, Rika, evolved. The murderess was quite the narcissist and her ‘evilness‘ was the perfect foil for all the people Rika kept at arms length in her life until the end when she made more room for them. Sometimes it was a bit blah, blah, blah but most of the time I was just lost in the story

Such a delightful conversation!! 👩🏻‍🍳 🥦🥕🍤🧈🍚

Depending on my mood, I do listen to music, an audiobook or NPR radio when I cook.

I feel like Kajii would not approve of this vegan hot dog made out of a carrot, but it made for a good #LunchAndBook treat on a hot day. I‘m still on team #LoveIt and am looking forward to the discussion next week for #CampLitsy

#realization
Rika has asked several friends/workmates to help Reiko heal by taking turns staying with her in Shinoi‘s house of many rooms. That they all made connections with each other was beyond Rika‘s expectations & understanding. 💡🫚🪴🌿🍃
Just love this image.💚

Best thing about summer days - the kids are happy in the garden most of the day so I get to sit and read 😁☀️ just starting the second half #camplitsy

Fun or responsibility this cool morning? It‘s only 70 degrees!!! What a gift after a week+ of mid-high 90s! #porchlife #birdsong #coolbreezes

Found this butter from Normandy at Whole Foods. “Beurre de baratte is traditionally made in France using a churn or barrel shaped churn called a ‘“ baratte.‘” This method churnsthe cream until it separates into butter and buttermilk.* see website below.
It was delicious but not unlike Cabot‘s extra creamy premium butter. Maybe my butter palette is not discerning enough!
https://www.mypanier.com/collections/beurre-de-baratte
#Camplitsy24

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

A soft pick.

Lots to chat about for this one but I‘ll save my thoughts on the ending for the #camplitsy24 discussion on Saturday!

I didn‘t know where this book was going to go at the beginning and there were some unexpected twists I didn‘t see coming, but on the whole it felt a bit predictable. I kept thinking it was going to end and I‘d check my kindle and it‘d be at 75%!

I really want to research the true story it‘s based off of.

For those in Camp Listy reading Butter, I have found that researching the woman this book is based off of makes me far more interested in the book.

Her name is Kanae Kijima and she is called the Konkatsu Killer (“marriage-hunting”). She was convicted in 2019 of killing 3 men - suspected of another 4 murders. She is currently on death row in Japan

https://www.tokyoweekender.com/japan-life/news-and-opinion/the-konkatsu-killer-t...

I want to think Kajii would approve of my snack choice despite the lack of butter. Crisp chilled rosé paired with Hawkins Cheezies ( a Canadian classic that is worth the trip here for #ifykyk. )