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Breasts and Eggs: A Novel

A BEST BOOK OF 2020
TIME MagazineThe AtlanticBook RiotElectric LiteratureThe 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 to Tokyo, where her sister Natsu lives. She is in the company of her daughter, Midoriko, who has lately grown silent, finding herself unable to voice the vague yet overwhelming pressures associated with adolescence. The story of these three women reunited in a working-class neighborhood of Tokyo is told through the gaze of Natsu--thirty years old, an aspiring writer, haunted by hardships endured in her youth. Over the course of their few days together in the capital, Midoriko's silence will prove a catalyst for each woman to confront her fears and family secrets.

On yet another blistering summer's day eight years later, Natsu, during a journey back to her native city, struggles with her own indeterminate identity as she confronts anxieties about growing old alone and childless.

One of Japan's most important and best-selling writers, Mieko Kawakami mixes stylistic inventiveness, wry humor, and riveting emotional depth to tell a story of contemporary womanhood in Japan. Breasts and Eggs recounts the intimate journeys of three women on the path to finding peace and futures they can call their own.

"Original and deeply moving...This book is a gift."--Laura van den Berg

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432 pages

Average rating: 7.62

24 RATINGS

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3 REVIEWS

Community Reviews

Anonymous
Nov 18, 2024
6/10 stars
Plotwise this book doesn't offer much content but the triumph lies in its straightforward and unflinching social commentary on women's bodily anatomy, and functions. Like the majority of people, I think the first part is better in terms of character growth and the realistic outcome of events. In the second part, it seemed like our protagonist's actions became more random and spontaneous and the motive behind her important decision seemed to be a fleeting thought which has little logical and empathetic reasoning, especially after Yuriko's conversation bit impacted me so much and it seemed like even Natsu has shaken I was disappointed with Natsu's decision at the end. It may seem like a happy ending for her but that doesn't strengthen the reason behind her ultimate decision. it seemed incompatible with the ultimate messages that are presented here.
People are willing to accept the pain and suffering of others, limitless amounts of it, as long as it helps them to keep on believing in whatever it is that they want to believe. Love, meaning, doesn’t matter.

Overall it was very poignant and reflecting. Recommended for anyone who loves to read about social commentary on the commercialization of women's anatomy and its affects on society /individuals.
3.75 stars/5
Anonymous
Sep 16, 2024
8/10 stars
Breasts and eggs by Meiko Kawakami about three sisters life revolving around Tokyo, Osaka cities discussing fiercely about breast augmentation/transplantation and artificial insemination of a single young unmarried women.

It’s a two part book of 430 pages. The book gets interesting and argumentative in the second part when narrator speaks about troubles of having a kid and women’s issues of being single mother through artificial insemination.

The legal trouble of becoming a single mother through sperm donors and social issues of such kids. The book is narrated in the first person by a women who is an author. A different and a bold book you will read from a Japanese author. Give it 50 pages, then you’re slowly hooked.
mdmduffy
May 02, 2022
10/10 stars
This is the best series I've ever read. Elena Ferrante deftly writes about complex female friendships, unforgettable characters and places. I recommend reading them all, then after, watch the HBO series

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