Breasts and Eggs

By Mieko Kawakami, Sam Bett (translator), David Boyd (translator)

Book cover of Breasts and Eggs

Book description

A BEST BOOK OF 2020
TIME Magazine・The Atlantic・Book Riot・Electric Literature・The New York Times (Notable Book of the Year)

The story of three women by a writer hailed by Haruki Murakami as Japan’s most important contemporary novelist, WINNER OF THE AKUTAGAWA PRIZE.

On a sweltering summer day, Makiko travels from Osaka…

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Why read it?

3 authors picked Breasts and Eggs as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This story about three ordinary, working-class women is, to me, a measured, realistic depiction of how society often denies a woman even her most basic desires. In contemporary Japan, being female can still be a stifling experience, and this novel captures the claustrophobic confines of womanhood through its quiet, deliberate tone.

I was especially drawn to how these women’s small acts of rebellion took on greater significance when considered in the context of their lives. Not all battles are epic. Sometimes, big victories or even peace with oneself can be found in the tiniest acts of resistance.

From Karina's list on women who “misbehave”.

Where do I start? Breasts and Eggs is a fantastic example of contemporary Japanese literature.

The main character comes from a broken family that saw her mother die early. She feels that she is getting older and that if she is to ever have children she must act soon. But that’s only one small facet of this richly-drawn protagonist.

The novel also takes some great shots at the publishing industry, which, as a novelist, I found quite enjoyable. But most interesting is the history of this book. Kawakami originally wrote the first part as a novella, which was published in…

From Michael's list on reads set in Japan.

Here is a book that grabbed me from the first paragraph. It’s a wonderful exploration of contemporary Japan and the struggles that women have as they grow and age. As a woman in my mid-thirties, I enjoyed the self-deprecating and honest imagery that was presented through the characters in this novel.

From Catori's list on diversity in womanhood.

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