Butter by Asako Yuzuki Summary
Overview of Butter
A feminist thriller inspired by Japan's infamous "Black Widow" case, Butter transcends cultural boundaries, outselling its Japanese release fourfold in Britain alone. Winner of Waterstones Book of the Year, this unflinching exploration of misogyny asks: what makes society fear powerful women more than violent men?
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Key takeaways
The Intoxicating Dance Between Appetite and Restraint
In the midst of Japan's nationwide butter shortage, journalist Rika Machida finds herself drawn into the world of Manako Kajii, a plus-sized woman accused of murdering three men she met through dating services. What begins as professional curiosity evolves into dangerous obsession as Rika discovers there's something admirable in how Kajii demanded good treatment despite societal expectations-a sharp contrast to the self-restraint Rika observes in successful women around her and feels in herself. That constant pressure to remain small, both physically and metaphorically. When Kajii finally agrees to meet at the women's detention center, she establishes clear boundaries-she won't discuss her case but will talk about food, her passion. Upon hearing Rika has been using margarine during the butter shortage, Kajii launches into a passionate diatribe, eyes flashing with genuine anger: "I cannot tolerate feminists and margarine." She instructs Rika to make rice with premium Echire butter and soy sauce, describing the experience with almost religious reverence: "When I'm eating good butter I feel somehow as though I were falling...The body plummets, starting from the very tip of the tongue." This moment marks the beginning of Rika's dangerous seduction into a world where pleasure takes precedence over restraint, where food becomes almost erotic in its intensity, and where the boundaries between indulgence and destruction begin to blur ominously.
When Society Weighs Women Down
The Complex Choreography of Female Friendship
The Making of a Monster
Food as Language, Memory, and Power
The Transformation of Grief and Guilt
Finding Authenticity in a World of Performance
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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