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A review by annemaries_shelves
Butter Honey Pig Bread by francesca ekwuyasi
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: Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide attempt and Pregnancy