UK Book Club discussion

So for June, our group read will be Butter by Azako Yuzuki. Read along and post your thoughts and comments in the thread below. Remember to state: SPOILERS at the start of your post if you're likely to give anything away...
Enjoy!

My copy came from the library really quickly, but I have two other books I need to finish before I can get started...

I read this book just a few days ago. My favourite for this year so far! I will wait for people to read it to start commenting on it 😁

I was gifted Butter last month, but havent got around to it yet. Going to finish my current read and then get started on it ☺️ very excited to see if it lives up to the hype!

Marisa wrote: "I read this book just a few days ago. My favourite for this year so far! I will wait for people to read it to start commenting on it 😁"

That's good timing!

Samantha wrote: "I was gifted Butter last month, but havent got around to it yet. Going to finish my current read and then get started on it ☺️ very excited to see if it lives up to the hype!"

Excellent! Fingers crossed....

I finished reading it just a few days ago and was really excited to dive in! It’s currently available at Waitrose for around £6 or £7 in paperback. One of the first things that stood out to me was the richly detailed descriptions throughout the book. That’s something the book is often criticised for, but for me, it was one of the best things. The vivid, atmospheric writing made me feel like a quiet observer in the corner of each scene, picking up on even the smallest nuances. It’s simply a stylistic choice, and one that I genuinely appreciated. Especially descriptions about food were so emotive that it slightly changed the way I look at food myself and try to notice similar nuances

I'm just starting...

I am really enjoying this book, 2/3 way through now

Don't read this book if you are dieting, fasting, hungry. Most pages had me yearning for something to eat. The descriptions of food and cooking are very very enticing.
This is not my usual read, though I do like Japanese literature. I was not expecting much. In the first few pages I stumbled over the names, two protagonists with very similar names had me confused at times. The syntax and grammar is very Japanese and took me a chapter or two to be able to read smoothly but I didn't see this as a negative point, more something I expect when reading literature from that part of the world. I found that descriptions and motives overly explained at times for me, I like to work things out for myself, even if I'm wrong. I think the translation is very good and it maybe that the syntax and grammar have been faithfully kept in the transposing over the English.

It took me about half way through the novel before I recognised the tropes from other writers, Thomas Harris and The Silence of the Lambs, Joanne Harris and Chocolat. There are many paragraphs about Japans problem with the work ethic and how it impinges on personal life. I am finding this becoming more prevalent in Japanese books, and having worked for a Japanese company in a previous life I can relate to it. I wonder if, as it is now in mainstream literature, it is becoming a social problem within the country.

I enjoyed reading the book. The story is well told and flows well. Would I read it again? I don't think so, but I am glad that I have read it.

I looked up all the references to butter in my local store and have just cooked my breakfast and the dogs too in butter. It was marvelous.

I've been enjoying this one, interesting premise and setting, with insights into issues within Japanese society and culture. I'm nearing the end and I'm looking forward to seeing how this resolves....

I'm enjoying this one, even though I'm only roughly 100 pages in.

I've no idea where it's going to end up but I'm liking the way it's written so far and it's one of those books where I'm not rushing to get past a boring section which is rare for me!

I agree, the issues in Japan and it's culture are prevalent and somewhat eye-opening. I knew about it but not to this extent.

I’ve just finished Butter and really enjoyed it. The descriptions of the food are well written but the relationships are also fascinatingly presented. I have passed my copy on to one of my teenagers with a few trigger warnings for the way some of the female relationships and experiences unfold.

I finished 'Butter' today. I did really enjoy it. As others have said, the descriptions of the food are really detailed and likely to leave you salivating!
I particularly enjoyed the realisation of self and the departure from societal expectations of some characters.

I am struggling with this one.
I think I might be bored.
I really wanted to enjoy this book, but it's taking me absolutely ages to get through and I just can't seem to get into it. I'm 3/4 of the way through. I'll peresevere, maybe I've just got stuck with it. we shall see.

Lucy wrote: "I am struggling with this one.
I think I might be bored.
I really wanted to enjoy this book, but it's taking me absolutely ages to get through and I just can't seem to get into it. I'm 3/4 of the w..."

So near and yet so far! If you feel like throwing the towel in, we won't tell anyone ;)