This was such an interesting book and felt really original. I knew very little going into it except that it was meant to be very gods and I was not disappointed! The characters were complex and flawed but I find myself rooting for them. It was also a really good exploration of ideas around gender, misogyny, beauty standards as well as, of course, food. It was interested seeing these things were viewed in Japanese culture but it also felt applicable to other cultures. 

Reviewing this book without mentioning the descriptions of food would be a mistake as they were absolutely incredible. I think this is the first time a book has described food so clearly and perfectly to the point that I have needed to try it myself! I am especially impressed that these descriptions remained so vivid through translation. (And to anyone who has read the book and is wondering: yes, rice with soy sauce and butter is divine.) 

One issue I have with this book is I didn't feel like there was a clear plotline throughout the book. Despite being longer then I think was necessary, I still felt like there were things that needed to be fully resolved. Butter read like a book that was trying to tell me something, and either through my fault or the book's, I don't quite know what is was. I did feel there were sections that were unnecessary or because tedious. 

Overall, Butter was a really enjoyable and thought provoking book which just could have done with being 100 pages shorter!