August meeting

Dear members,

Many thanks to everyone who attended July's meeting- we had a jolly meeting and, as usual, views about the book were heavily divided. Lucky Jim scored 3.2 out of 5, which rounds down to 3.

August's book is Asako Yusuki's novel, 'Butter'. This book was a big bestseller last year and won the Waterstone's book of the year 2024. It was also shortlisted for the CWA Crime Fiction in Translation Dagger Award 2025.

The book publicity blurb states:
"The cult Japanese bestseller about a female gourmet cook and serial killer and the journalist intent on cracking her case, inspired by a true story, and translated by Polly Barton.
There are two things that I can simply not tolerate: feminists and margarine.
Gourmet cook Manako Kajii sits in Tokyo Detention Centre convicted of the serial murders of lonely businessmen, who she is said to have seduced with her delicious home cooking. The case has captured the nation’s imagination but Kajii refuses to speak with the press. That is, until journalist Rika Machida writes a letter asking for her recipe for beef stew and Kajii can’t resist writing back.
Rika, the only woman in her news office, works late each night, rarely cooking more than ramen. As the visits unfold between her and the steely Kajii, they are closer to a masterclass in food than journalistic research. Rika hopes this gastronomic exchange will help her soften Kajii but it seems that she might be the one changing. With each meal she eats, something is awakening in her body. Might she and Kaji have more in common than she once thought?
Inspired by the real case of the convicted con woman and serial killer, 'The Konkatsu Killer', Asako Yuzuki’s Butter is a vivid, gripping exploration of misogyny, obsession and the transgressive pleasures of food in Japan."

Reviews seem generally positive, for example:
'It isn’t entirely clear whether to read the novel or devour it’ OBSERVER
‘Readers around the world are finding themselves utterly captivated’ DAILY MAIL
‘I really enjoyed it’ MEERA SYAL, on BBC Between the Covers

For those of you who like to read ahead, here the the books for the next few months:
September: John McGahern: 'Amongst Women'.
October: Robert Harris: 'Conclave'
November: V.E. Schwab, 'The Invisible Life of Addie Laroue'

I hope to see you soon. Happy reading! Remember that you are welcome to come to meetings even if you haven't read the book!
Best Wishes
Tracey