2treads's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
It's just as affecting the second time around.
This book! I loved it. The sibling relationship, the incorporation of Yoruba culture, the food, the pain, the tears, the beginning of healing; I was here for it all.
Stories that are told from multiple personal perspectives and in different voices have always been favourites. They expand the narrative and add layers to the story-telling atmosphere and what the author is trying to achieve; develop complex characters and elevate as well as add depth to interactions. It also serves to get and keep the reader engaged in the story.
In Butter, Honey, Pig, Bread, Ekwuyasi has weaved rich, descriptive prose in with simple and clear writing, from which evolves an evocative, interesting, and affecting story of two generations of women- mother and twin daughters- and their entwined, strained, damaged yet beautiful relationship. There were also times throughout the book when the prose became more, drawing a wealth of emotion with the depth of relation of person and experience.
Ekwuyasi uses letters and memories to introduce, build, and ground her characters on the page, and as we read further and further in, we see them grow and learn what caused the rift that pushed these sisters apart and what will bring them back together. As each sister shares their lives with us, pursuing dreams, careers, and companionship, we get to see how they individually reacted to and dealt with a trauma that was perpetrated on one sister, yet became shared emotionally and mentally, and led to the deterioration of their connection. The eventual explosion that accompanies the brewing confrontation is equally painful and necessary. Wounds of hurt and betrayal can never be healed unless the door is opened and the injured parties reveal the truth and depth of their pain. The narrative flow portrays the shattering of a precious bond, the rippling and cascading effects, and the resulting scars, which lead to the development of unhealthy habits in an attempt to cope.
Both sisters turned to damaging manifestations of their identity in an attempt to move their psyches as far as possible from what they endured, instead of working towards healing, finding, and returning to self; whether it was developing an eating disorder, holding unto society's biased norms of body image, using casual sex, liquor, and drugs as measures of survival. Not realizing that these habits were preventing them from thriving. I loved that Ekwuyasi explored a topic that many women and girls face, alone or within a family, and just how far-reaching and affecting trauma can be to an individual's relationships, not only with others, but with themselves.
It was so very easy to sink into this story, becoming immersed and invested in the reconciliation that I hoped was coming, without even knowing if it would be rewarding. The tension and reluctance that each sister exhibited as they were once again in each other's orbit was communicated so clearly and understandably. Their development and realizations as they fully face what had separated them and what it had led to do; their losses, friendships, relationships and the moments of levity and trifling family drama, which everyone can relate to. The inclusion of an Igbo belief added another layer to this family and the tale of their mother and her life as it was influenced by her Kin. It was so creative and definitely deepened the layering of the events that unfolded.
I also loved the infusion of food culture into this story; it fit so seamlessly into the storyline that it was impeccable. There is such power and meaning in food and what it can do for the restoration of individuals and relationships.
This book! I loved it. The sibling relationship, the incorporation of Yoruba culture, the food, the pain, the tears, the beginning of healing; I was here for it all.
Stories that are told from multiple personal perspectives and in different voices have always been favourites. They expand the narrative and add layers to the story-telling atmosphere and what the author is trying to achieve; develop complex characters and elevate as well as add depth to interactions. It also serves to get and keep the reader engaged in the story.
In Butter, Honey, Pig, Bread, Ekwuyasi has weaved rich, descriptive prose in with simple and clear writing, from which evolves an evocative, interesting, and affecting story of two generations of women- mother and twin daughters- and their entwined, strained, damaged yet beautiful relationship. There were also times throughout the book when the prose became more, drawing a wealth of emotion with the depth of relation of person and experience.
Ekwuyasi uses letters and memories to introduce, build, and ground her characters on the page, and as we read further and further in, we see them grow and learn what caused the rift that pushed these sisters apart and what will bring them back together. As each sister shares their lives with us, pursuing dreams, careers, and companionship, we get to see how they individually reacted to and dealt with a trauma that was perpetrated on one sister, yet became shared emotionally and mentally, and led to the deterioration of their connection. The eventual explosion that accompanies the brewing confrontation is equally painful and necessary. Wounds of hurt and betrayal can never be healed unless the door is opened and the injured parties reveal the truth and depth of their pain. The narrative flow portrays the shattering of a precious bond, the rippling and cascading effects, and the resulting scars, which lead to the development of unhealthy habits in an attempt to cope.
Both sisters turned to damaging manifestations of their identity in an attempt to move their psyches as far as possible from what they endured, instead of working towards healing, finding, and returning to self; whether it was developing an eating disorder, holding unto society's biased norms of body image, using casual sex, liquor, and drugs as measures of survival. Not realizing that these habits were preventing them from thriving. I loved that Ekwuyasi explored a topic that many women and girls face, alone or within a family, and just how far-reaching and affecting trauma can be to an individual's relationships, not only with others, but with themselves.
It was so very easy to sink into this story, becoming immersed and invested in the reconciliation that I hoped was coming, without even knowing if it would be rewarding. The tension and reluctance that each sister exhibited as they were once again in each other's orbit was communicated so clearly and understandably. Their development and realizations as they fully face what had separated them and what it had led to do; their losses, friendships, relationships and the moments of levity and trifling family drama, which everyone can relate to. The inclusion of an Igbo belief added another layer to this family and the tale of their mother and her life as it was influenced by her Kin. It was so creative and definitely deepened the layering of the events that unfolded.
I also loved the infusion of food culture into this story; it fit so seamlessly into the storyline that it was impeccable. There is such power and meaning in food and what it can do for the restoration of individuals and relationships.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Addiction, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Murder, and Sexual assault
ce_read's review against another edition
I wasn't connecting with the characters like I wanted to. Maybe if I was reading instead of listening to the book it would have hit different, but 1/3 of the way in and there has been almost no plot. So more of a slow, episodic, picture painting kind of story than a plot driven one
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Pedophilia, Fatphobia, Grief, Lesbophobia, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Outing, Alcoholism, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Vomit, Homophobia, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Domestic abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, Child death, Dysphoria, and Car accident
Minor: Animal death
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
mitchteri's review
challenging
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Abandonment and Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia and Pregnancy
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
headinthepages's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This is such a beautifully written book, one you luxuriate in and savour for every word, sentence and page.
I absolutely loved the characters and the way their stories intertwined. I loved their complex relationships with each other and themselves, and the secondary characters were brilliant.
I absolutely loved the characters and the way their stories intertwined. I loved their complex relationships with each other and themselves, and the secondary characters were brilliant.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Drug use, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Child abuse, Death of parent, Gun violence, Homophobia, Medical content, Miscarriage, Vomit, Sexual content, and Suicide
noslowregard's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Pregnancy, Rape, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Miscarriage
khakipantsofsex's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Rape, Religious bigotry, and Mental illness
Moderate: Homophobia, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Fatphobia, and Drug use
m_storky's review
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Addiction and Drug use
Minor: Death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Eating disorder, Pregnancy, Cursing, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Miscarriage, and Panic attacks/disorders