A review by diannastarr
Butter Honey Pig Bread, by Francesca Ekwuyasi

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-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

Butter Honey Pig Bread is, dare I say it, one of my favorite books that I've read this summer.  Ekwuyasi's ability to weave her words to set the scene puts other masterpieces to shame, and the ambiance of the story is absolutely phenomenal.  You can feel the emotional strain between sisters Kehine and Taiye, the internal strife of Kambirinachi and her grappling with the limbo between the land of the living and the worlds beyond, and the events of the past that ripple into the final part.  The characters are all incredibly fleshed out, the familial dynamics are rich, and the weight of living is palpable in a way that one would watch the steam rise from a piping kettle. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone (especially in the summertime) and it breaks my heart to know that this novel isn't getting the acclaim that it truly deserves.  Ekwuyasi is on her way to becoming one of the great novelists of this generation, and I cannot wait to see where she will go with her other works to come.  My only regret is that I didn't read this at a cafe or in the kitchen trying out some of Taiye's recipes, but I know that come next summer, I will be back.