Book Review: Butter by Asako Yuzuki

Asako Yuzuki’s Butter is a captivating and unsettling exploration of female desire, obsession, and the complex relationship between food and power.

Inspired by the true story of the ‘Konkatsu Killer’, Butter follows journalist Rika Machida as she attempts to unravel the mystery surrounding the enigmatic Manako Kajii. Convicted of murdering wealthy men after seducing them with her culinary prowess, Kajii remains silent, offering no explanation for her crimes.

What follows is a psychological cat-and-mouse game as Rika becomes increasingly drawn into Kajii’s world through the medium of food. Each recipe shared is a tantalizing glimpse into a mind that is both alluring and terrifying. Yuzuki masterfully intertwines the sensual pleasure of food with the darker aspects of human nature, creating a narrative that is at once delicious and disturbing.

While the novel is undoubtedly a crime thriller, it’s also a thought-provoking exploration of gender roles and societal expectations. Yuzuki doesn’t shy away from the complexities of female identity, challenging readers to question their own assumptions about women and their capabilities.

What I will say is that I expected this book to be a thriller in which a female serial killer serves delicious meals to her victims while a journalist attempts to piece together the clues to crack the case. What I got was a book that, at its core, is about hunger. There’s little to no violence, but some incredible descriptions about food that will leave you hungry for more.

It’s slow pace, and at times could have done with a little more bite, but I’m pleased to have read it and implore you to take a taste as well.