A review by hue
Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami

emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Mieko Kawakami has such a unique way of writing. Her style and story telling grip tight on my heart strings, not letting go before the story has told its tale. I'm flabbergasted how she's woven this narrative around our main character Natsuko, and her many turmoils through most of her life. Through the side characters telling of their lives, and Natsuko reflecting upon their words, I kept having the realisation that every living being has such a vividly complicated life, no matter how pristine or untouched they seem to the outside eye. It should be obvious without it being shoved right into my face, but I guess it's different when you encounter someone through the eye's of another person, fictional or not. Kawakami makes me think Natsuko isn't as fictional as I first thought. To me her struggles seem very real.

I'm no longer surprised Breasts and Eggs became such  an international hit. I enjoyed it immensely, the ups and downs of Natsuko's life and all that wove into it. I'll be thinking about this one for ages upon ages, that I'm sure of.
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