Butter by Asako Yuzuki

Butter by Asako Yuzuki, translated from Japanese by Polly Barton, is a compelling novel about food, desire, loneliness, and the pressures placed on women by society. The story follows Rika Machida, a young journalist who becomes fascinated by the case of Manako Kajii, a woman accused of murdering several businessmen.

Rika initially wants to interview Manako for a story, but their conversations soon take an unexpected direction. Food becomes the starting point for a deeper exploration of pleasure, relationships, identity, and the ways people are judged for what they want.

As Rika becomes more involved in Manako's world, she begins to question her own choices and the expectations she has accepted in her life. Through rich descriptions of food and complex characters, Butter explores appetite in both its literal and emotional forms.

The novel offers a thought-provoking look at food, femininity, desire, beauty standards, relationships, and personal freedom, making it an engaging choice for readers who enjoy contemporary Japanese fiction with psychological and social themes.

Key Features

• Internationally acclaimed Japanese novel
• Written by bestselling author Asako Yuzuki
• Translated from Japanese by Polly Barton
• A story centered around food, desire, and identity
• Explores society's expectations of women
• Rich food writing and character-driven storytelling
• A great choice for readers interested in contemporary Japanese fiction

Book Details

Title: Butter
Author: Asako Yuzuki
Translator: Polly Barton
Language: English
Format: Please refer to the selected edition/variant for format details
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Japanese Fiction, Literary Fiction
Original Language: Japanese

About the Author

Asako Yuzuki is a Japanese author whose novels explore relationships, society, food, identity, and the experiences of women. Her novel Butter has received international recognition and became a major bestseller in the UK.

Who Should Read Butter?

Butter is a great choice for readers who enjoy Japanese fiction, literary fiction, psychological stories, food-focused novels, complex female characters, and books that explore social expectations and personal freedom.

Buy Butter by Asako Yuzuki Online

Buy Butter by Asako Yuzuki from Reader in Bookland and explore a thought-provoking story where food becomes a gateway to conversations about desire, identity, relationships, and freedom.