julessssss's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sometimes i swear the universe gives you things you need sometimes, and this book feels like it was much needed for me (i found it searching through available ebooks on Libby)
this is a novel about trauma, family, friends, myth/spirituality, history, and healing - especially about healing, even if that healing takes time (and a lot of it) or support from those around you
it is heavy in some ways, but light in other distinct ways - would definitely recommend
this is a novel about trauma, family, friends, myth/spirituality, history, and healing - especially about healing, even if that healing takes time (and a lot of it) or support from those around you
it is heavy in some ways, but light in other distinct ways - would definitely recommend
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Rape, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Incest, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Homophobia, Addiction, and Alcoholism
adabubba's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
An exploration of a family you can’t help but love, cry for and hold within your heart. With magnificent prose and gutting sentiment, Francesca Ekwuyasi brings you close to tears and beyond, and back again through the grief of a painful but striking lifetime of familyhood.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Rape, and Sexual assault
cantfindmybookmark's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Abortion
froon's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
stunning, beautiful, jaw dropping, amazing, devastating. i want to live in this writing for the rest of my life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Rape
Moderate: Suicide and Suicide attempt
heatherrrr's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
aspence94's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Suicide attempt
thatgirl1's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Suicide attempt
ayetaebae's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was the most beautiful book…Francesca Ekwuyasi is a spellcaster. This story, her writing, the world she has created in these pages is enchanting, charming, rich and poignant. I found that there were very few people I could hate in this book since most were simply living, (perhaps clumsily and not without causing harm but rarely intentionally so).
A beautiful book. One of, if not, the best I’ve ever read.
A beautiful book. One of, if not, the best I’ve ever read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Suicide attempt, and Homophobia
siobhanward's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I grabbed this at random from a list on Libby and I'm so glad I did. The writing was absolutely beautiful - the descriptions were detailed and everything felt so real. I really enjoyed the characters and their journeys, although sometimes things felt a bit disjointed. I find that can happen with books that move through time, so I think it's more of a critique of the style than this specific book. Ekwuyasi has a gift for describing food and honestly all I wanted to do was eat - her descriptions made everything sound wonderful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Rape
Moderate: Car accident, Pregnancy, Homophobia, Death of parent, Death, and Suicide attempt
annemaries_shelves's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Perfect! No notes.
Here are some of my (spoilery) thoughts though:
Butter Honey Pig Bread is such a brilliantly told story of twins Taiye and Kehinde, and their mother, Kambirinachi. Each section is named after one of the four title elements, and it plays a significant role in the story.
Each perspective complemented the other, moving across time and locations. I enjoyed all three POVs and thought each voice was distinctive and necessary.
Kambirinachi can be interpreted as an Ogbanji - a spirit of grief that cycles through rebirths - or as a mentally ill woman. While both can be true, I like the former interpretation. She's someone who persists beyond when she's supposed to, for the sake of love and family. And yet because of who she is, she still brings so much unintended grief and trauma to those around her. Yet, also healing.
Doors - alongside food - were a significant metaphor for possibility and rebirth. In addition to the actual births and pregnancies experienced and mirrored by Kehinde and Kambirinachi.
I think I most enjoyed Taiye's perspective. She's the one left behind as her twin - traumatized by the rape and blaming Taiye - moves on without her intentionally. Taiye is navigating her queerness in and beyond Lagos, forming connections with other queer people, and struggling to maintain those connections at a deeper level due to her loneliness, grief, and trauma.
Overall, this is a beautiful book and brilliantly written in a concise and deeply felt manner. I can see why it was so lauded upon its release and think more people should read it.
Also all the food made by Taiye and other characters made me hungry.
Content warnings for on-page sexual assault of a preteen, and attempted overdose by a secondary character.
Here are some of my (spoilery) thoughts though:
Butter Honey Pig Bread is such a brilliantly told story of twins Taiye and Kehinde, and their mother, Kambirinachi. Each section is named after one of the four title elements, and it plays a significant role in the story.
Each perspective complemented the other, moving across time and locations. I enjoyed all three POVs and thought each voice was distinctive and necessary.
Kambirinachi can be interpreted as an Ogbanji - a spirit of grief that cycles through rebirths - or as a mentally ill woman. While both can be true, I like the former interpretation. She's someone who persists beyond when she's supposed to, for the sake of love and family. And yet because of who she is, she still brings so much unintended grief and trauma to those around her. Yet, also healing.
Doors - alongside food - were a significant metaphor for possibility and rebirth. In addition to the actual births and pregnancies experienced and mirrored by Kehinde and Kambirinachi.
I think I most enjoyed Taiye's perspective. She's the one left behind as her twin - traumatized by the rape and blaming Taiye - moves on without her intentionally. Taiye is navigating her queerness in and beyond Lagos, forming connections with other queer people, and struggling to maintain those connections at a deeper level due to her loneliness, grief, and trauma.
Overall, this is a beautiful book and brilliantly written in a concise and deeply felt manner. I can see why it was so lauded upon its release and think more people should read it.
Also all the food made by Taiye and other characters made me hungry.
Content warnings for on-page sexual assault of a preteen, and attempted overdose by a secondary character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Grief, Miscarriage, Rape, and Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy and Suicide attempt