A review by sofiadanielle
Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami

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

3.75

I think this novel edges towards a 4 star rating for me. I do think there were times where I felt a bit unengaged as the text felt long and slow paced, but I can definitely say the last 100-150 pages or so really picked up for me! 

Also, the synopsis on the back does not really have much to do with the novel, as the whole ‘Midoriko’s silence’ gets resolved in Book One, which is only roughly 30% of the novel? So.. That also sort of detracted points for me, though I suppose I could’ve done more thorough research about the novel before reading. 

This book made me think a lot about being a woman. Though I am not in the same stage of life as Natsuko, I found myself pondering the same things she did; about loneliness, about relationships, career path… These themes and Kawakami’s dedication to them definitely push the novel towards that 4 star rating for me, if only personally. The ending also felt fulfilling in my opinion, both in terms of themes and for the characters!

I am excited to read more of Kawakami’s work after completing this novel!
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