Butter is an interesting, quirky and surprising read. You would be right in assuming it’s about murder when you start the novel, but as you read on and discover the multiple layers embedded in the storyline, you will be pleasantly shocked by its complex narrative.

At its heart, the book is a feminist novel based on a true story: serial killer Manako Kajii (known in real life as the Konkatsu killer) is in prison and is refusing to give any interviews. Journalist Rika Machida manages to connect with Manako based on the latter’s love of food. What surprises and confuses Rika the most is that Manako is neither young nor beautiful. She is an overweight woman who would not be considered desirable or attractive by conventional standards, and one who appears unapologetic and confident in her sexuality.

The book is about the love of food, and it is certainly interesting to see how ‘food’ is almost a character, and how it has been eroticized. Did it make me want to enter my kitchen and whip something up – Oh, God, yes! (And, I’m not much of a cook).

This novel is about friendship, sensuality and acceptance. Rika, the story’s main protagonist, is supported by a wonderful, quirky cast of supporting characters. I appreciated Yuzuki’s ability to portray human relationships with blatant honesty. The author doesn’t shy away from exploring the nuances within different kinds of relationships. Nothing is ever as simple as it looks, and Yuzuki moves into uncomfortable spaces with ease.

Themes of body image, domestic labour, and the role of women in contemporary Japanese society are deftly woven throughout the story, revealing the multifaceted challenges women face on a daily basis. The reader gets an intimate look into Rika’s journey of self-discovery, as she navigates the complexities of her world, set against the backdrop of a rigid patriarchal society, and learns to carve out a space within it for herself.

Advice: Don’t start this 452-page novel on an empty stomach, and do allow yourself time to savour and appreciate the story.