A review by jojodoesntread
Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami

challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

i had heard about this book previously but i never thought about picking it up until i saw it in the library. the book follows natsuko, midoriko and makiko (first part) and how forms of misogyny and womanhood are apart of their daily lives. this one focus more on makiko & midoriko in my opinion, their relationship as a mother and a daughter, how they saw their 'purpose' (??) as a woman differently. makiko relied on male gaze to feel feminine and midoriko was trying to seek out on her femininity by herself. this is purely my own interpretion, often i was confused where the book was going esp during the first part. second part hit hard. this focused on natsuko and her relationship with sex, 'obsession' of wanting kids although she was single and overall friendships aswell. natsuko 'natsu' wants kids, how though? sperm banks. she goes as far as to contact a man who gives out his semen for women in need, DIRECTLY. that was the craziest part imo, the guy had such a superiority complex, also was very very creepy. but um natsu struggles, she doesnt have sex; it makes her uncomfortable, like shes about to die whilst her ex-bf used to be in her. she doesnt feel aroused (asexual and/or traumatized ong) and all that. i wanted two parts of natsus story, im too tired to talk about it more but...i wish we've gotten moreeeeee