Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami

106 reviews

anh_read's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing 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? No

4.75

Definitely, a “no plot, just vibes” book. However, I enjoyed the themes that are discussed in this book. In general, the book reflects the struggles of being woman in modern times. 

The first part “Breasts” centers around poverty and changes in your body. The second part of the book, “Eggs” focuses on motherhood and being a single parent. This part often got me reflecting on the struggles on becoming and being a parent. It also made me question to have children. This part is much longer, even more slow-paced. Some points were kind of repetitive. Nonetheless, it was still a wonderful and very informative read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Infertility, Misogyny, and Death of parent

Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Terminal illness

Minor: Body shaming, Infidelity, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

dizzzybrook's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Every once in a while, I come across a book that truly just does everything I want it to and Breasts and Eggs certainly did that for me. I often avoid reading about the topics discussed in this book given that I find it difficult to find navigate between the opinions of those who believe women are obligated to have children and those who do not, but this book tackles these arguments in a way that I found extremely profound and ultimately agreeable. My only true criticism is that the ending fell flat for me and felt a little rushed and predictable. It felt as if Kawakami had spent so much time developing this incredibly complex and thought provoking story just to have it end in the most predictable, cliché way. This is obviously a fault of my own personal taste, but I do believe this book to be a 5 star read 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

ahanky's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility and Pregnancy

Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, and Death of parent

Minor: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual harassment

katygoodhead's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A poignant account of what it is to be a woman; the human experience and the pain and conflict of the biological pull. It made me question my entire existence. Delicious writing and endearing characters. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility and Pregnancy

Moderate: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Minor: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Vomit

carojust'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Mieko Kawakami is becoming one of my favorite, most relatable authors. I read "All The Lovers In The Night" before this, and fell in love with her storytelling and main character. "Breast and Eggs" follows a similar formula of a lost and lonely woman, trying to find meaning. 

This is divided in two parts. Book One was my favorite by far, and as a standalone work, pretty much perfect, a 5.0. I cried at the beauty of her descriptions of the older sister's simple and sweet devotion to her little sister, as well as the strained relationship with her teen daughter. 

Book Two is primarily focused on the younger sister, and I had trouble getting through its density -- beautiful writing, though overwhelmingly verbose. The prose doesn't have the back and forth dynamic that Book One does, switching from the teen's journal entries to the narrator's POV. Maybe that switch made Book Two feel more plain. Still very meaningful.

As a whole, this book delivers on what it means to be a woman in this world, the pressures and injustices, sexuality, the obsession with fertility, youth and appearances. The female characters sort through these themes in a heartbreaking, yet brave and honest way. I loved them, related wholeheartedly with them, and rooted for them.

You'll like this if you're interested in female perspectives, solitary main characters, thoughtful and intelligent writing. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

lillypowell's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer and Death of parent

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

Minor: Pedophilia

teigancollins's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

kurumipanda's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Grief

Minor: Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide, Medical content, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Murder

adelal's review

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility and Pregnancy

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Cancer and Death

alexandrabelze's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

this was definitely a unique read. the novel is split into two parts, and i wasn’t hooked until the second part. it was not at all what i expected, but i wouldn’t say that i was disappointed. i liked this one better than heaven! my favorite characters were natsuko and rika; once rika was introduced i began to enjoy the novel more. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Physical abuse, Rape, Terminal illness, and Medical content

Minor: Bullying