My Review of Breast and Eggs
To be honest, Mieko Kawakami is my favorite author, so this review might seem biased—but believe me, when it comes to writing style, she is one of the best. The story is simple yet deeply engaging. She has a way of immersing readers in her characters’ lives, making them feel real. For example, I now know that the protagonist hates beer, is introverted, mature, and has had her fair share of struggles in relationships. The level of detail in her character-building is unmatched. If you’re a grown woman, you might find yourself relating to the main character a lot.
Now, about the side characters—Makiko, who represents the “breast” part of the title, is a troubled mother dealing with many complications. I love how Kawakami portrays the struggles of life, especially single motherhood. The way Makiko juggles work and raising her daughter is truly inspiring. She’s a character you can’t bring yourself to dislike, which is exactly why I admire Kawakami—she builds her characters with such depth and nuance.
That said, there was one aspect I didn’t quite agree with. The book delivers a strong message for women who don’t want to be dependent on others, which I respect. However, at times, it felt like the narrative leaned too much into generalizing men as being emotionally distant or unwilling to take responsibility. While it’s true that many men fit this mold, there are also those—like me—who genuinely want to step up. This was the only part that didn’t sit well with me.
Overall, reading Breast and Eggs was a great experience. I spent the past month carrying this book everywhere with me, and now that it’s finished, I feel like something is missing from my life. Maybe that’s why Kawakami is my favorite author—no one else has captivated me the way she does.