Butter

 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?

Honestly, every morsel of this book was simply delicious.The descriptive writing scattered through the book is both vivid and functional - it both helped the plot and made my moth water.While some may find it frivolous ,everything from the description of Tokyo to the butters noodles helped me to engage more in the book ad the world it was set in ,as well as to relate more to characters within.I also found it was highly effective ,as it allowed us to take short breaks from the rapid plot to slow down and sympathise more with the characters and allow us to explore our ow pints of views of the vast array of complicated topics that are explored throughout book.It was also just satisfying to read such complex and dynamic description as every line you read makes you think - damn she really is good at this.

I also enjoyed how the writing was heavily character motivated.I loved Rika as a character, as she blended really well with some of the metaphors, both complimenting and emphasising their points - this was definitely shown via what she ate as different foods highlighted ether she was listening to society or herself when it came to self worth.I also found it interesting she as a character approached the issues of working culture in Japan ,as I am someone with very little knowledge surrounding these issues I found the way it was shown easily highlighted many of the issues simplistically but didn’t just go surface level as this issues also was interviewed with other women’s issues through the book.

I also found the main antagonist (kanji)highly entertaining not even as a villain just as a character I mean “ 'I don't need friends. I'm only interested in having worshippers.” is very quotable and highly iconic.Also ,this singular quote doesn’t even begin to engulf the entire chaos that Kanji manages to bring to the book despite being stuck in a prison  cell.I find her vey interesting as a character, as not only does she seem to have a innate control over people but she also has a deep rooted hated for feminism despite all that it slopes her to do.Personally,I find this slightly ironic however it may be fitting for her more self destructive, self hating (despite what she may claim) character.I also find that the dichotomy in her character ( and the way that her Rika and Rika’s best friend Reiko stories intersect) helpto highlight the impossibly high standards expected of women- especially the different ways this occurs in Japanese culture. Also, liked how it managed to delve into many complex issues without feeling to preachy or taking away from the overall plot.

Finally,there where some issues with this book ,such as the fact that some of the side chracters where underdeveloped ,slightly irrelevant and felt tacked on a the end. However,this did t take away from the overall effect of the book.

Overall, a highly enjoyable book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟