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A review by eunicaa
Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A beautiful and raw depiction of womanhood in Japan.
Part 1 is a 5/5 - I thought the contrast between Natsu’s narrative and Midoriko’s journal entries was so interesting. And the story way Mieko depicted the complicated relationship between women, sisters and aunts and mothers and grandmothers, was so beautiful yet unflinching.
Part 2 is a 3.75/5 - I wasn’t a fan of the plot. But maybe it’s because I’m still too young to understand? It did made me think about why we have children, the purpose of life, and loneliness. But I wish it was more like Part I, which was a study of womanhood via this complicated, and sometimes toxic, family dynamic. I feel like the romantic plot point in Part II betrayed the feminist spirit of Part I. Wasn’t this book about defying patriarchal expectations? So why write in a romantic interest??
Feels like: Getting drunk with your sister for the first time and all of the emotional and mental barriers are washed away. You both talk candidly for the first time, realizing how much of each other’s love you’ve missed from your lives.
Part 1 is a 5/5 - I thought the contrast between Natsu’s narrative and Midoriko’s journal entries was so interesting. And the story way Mieko depicted the complicated relationship between women, sisters and aunts and mothers and grandmothers, was so beautiful yet unflinching.
Part 2 is a 3.75/5 - I wasn’t a fan of the plot. But maybe it’s because I’m still too young to understand? It did made me think about why we have children, the purpose of life, and loneliness. But I wish it was more like Part I, which was a study of womanhood via this complicated, and sometimes toxic, family dynamic. I feel like the romantic plot point in Part II betrayed the feminist spirit of Part I. Wasn’t this book about defying patriarchal expectations? So why write in a romantic interest??
Feels like: Getting drunk with your sister for the first time and all of the emotional and mental barriers are washed away. You both talk candidly for the first time, realizing how much of each other’s love you’ve missed from your lives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Suicide attempt