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byronic_reader 's review for:
Butter Honey Pig Bread
by francesca ekwuyasi
I am an empathetic reader. I cry when the character cries and I laugh when they laugh. And this year, almost all the books I read took such a toll on my emotional health which is why I had to stop reading anything that triggers me. But, I must say Butter Honey Pig Bread (BHPB) not only made me cry but also made me hopeful. Hopeful that the fractured relationships may not be fractured always. Hopeful that one day I might talk to my sister again. Hopeful that there is something out for me that is only for me.
BHPB is one book that is purely bookstagram made me do it. There are places where Taiye and Kehinde feel lonely and yearn for each other that felt it is written just for me. And the places where Kambirinachi just wants her mom that made me ugly cry. I saw a piece of myself in every character of the book and it spooked me. I mean, how dare the author can write such a profound book!
If I don't mention the food, I won't be doing any justice to this skimpy review. Food has always been my comfort and I had a field day watching all the recipes on YouTube. It's as if I can smell and taste the food and I have never seen them before. It's so sensual that I ended up making a bowl of Maggi and devoured it.
What this book didn't have! There were pain, race, intersectionality, folklore, queer identity and of course love. Lots and lots of love. It also deals with the aftermath of sexual abuse that didn't go too graphical. And the aftermath of this incident is handled as it should be. Sensitive and meticulous. There is also this craving for the home that is carnal. I can live anywhere in the world but the moment that Idly and Sambar touch my tongue, I am home. And I can understand, you know, sometimes home is just what we want but can't get.
I also happened to listen to the author chat about her book with Amyn (lipglossmaffia on instagram) for Ake festival which made me pick this book. You must listen to Ekwuyasi talk about this book and fall in love with it more. I know this is not a review just my thoughts and that's okay. Maybe one day I'll write a stellar review or maybe not. But now, let me cry happy tears whenever I think about this book. And tell me again why I didn't write this book?
BHPB is one book that is purely bookstagram made me do it. There are places where Taiye and Kehinde feel lonely and yearn for each other that felt it is written just for me. And the places where Kambirinachi just wants her mom that made me ugly cry. I saw a piece of myself in every character of the book and it spooked me. I mean, how dare the author can write such a profound book!
If I don't mention the food, I won't be doing any justice to this skimpy review. Food has always been my comfort and I had a field day watching all the recipes on YouTube. It's as if I can smell and taste the food and I have never seen them before. It's so sensual that I ended up making a bowl of Maggi and devoured it.
What this book didn't have! There were pain, race, intersectionality, folklore, queer identity and of course love. Lots and lots of love. It also deals with the aftermath of sexual abuse that didn't go too graphical. And the aftermath of this incident is handled as it should be. Sensitive and meticulous. There is also this craving for the home that is carnal. I can live anywhere in the world but the moment that Idly and Sambar touch my tongue, I am home. And I can understand, you know, sometimes home is just what we want but can't get.
I also happened to listen to the author chat about her book with Amyn (lipglossmaffia on instagram) for Ake festival which made me pick this book. You must listen to Ekwuyasi talk about this book and fall in love with it more. I know this is not a review just my thoughts and that's okay. Maybe one day I'll write a stellar review or maybe not. But now, let me cry happy tears whenever I think about this book. And tell me again why I didn't write this book?