axel_p's review against another edition
- 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
Minor: Rape, Drug use, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Miscarriage, Lesbophobia, Infertility, Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, Homophobia, Death, Bullying, Classism, Grief, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Alcohol, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Addiction, Body shaming, Suicide attempt, Racism, Fatphobia, Alcoholism, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Islamophobia, Infidelity, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
julessssss's review against another edition
- 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
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
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Rape, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Incest, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Homophobia, Addiction, and Alcoholism
2treads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
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.
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Addiction, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Murder, and Sexual assault
saphfics's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual content, Eating disorder, Miscarriage, Addiction, Death of parent, and Drug use
Minor: Lesbophobia, Alcoholism, and Religious bigotry
m_storky's review against another edition
- 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
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
tina94's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Miscarriage, Rape, Gun violence, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Infidelity, Sexual content, Addiction, Homophobia, Alcohol, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Suicide and Body shaming
elizlizabeth's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Homophobia, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Car accident, Infertility, Rape, and Addiction
tlaynejones's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Addiction, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Colonisation, Religious bigotry, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Rape
lizzie24601's review against another edition
- 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
Spoiler
As such, Kambirinachi's ending felt so sudden. She JUST reconciled with her daughters and IMMEDIATELY wants to die??? Huh???Graphic: Sexual assault, Grief, and Rape
Moderate: Drug use, Suicide attempt, Body shaming, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy, Bullying, Child death, Infidelity, Murder, Outing, Addiction, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pedophilia
arieloley's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Drug use, Pedophilia, Rape, Homophobia, Abandonment, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Sexual violence, Blood, Car accident, Vomit, and Pregnancy