Breasts and Eggs

by Mieko Kawakami
Breasts and Eggs cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Literary Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 421
  • Added: 2025-09-11
  • Updated: 2025-09-11
  • ISBN: 9781609455880
  • Publisher: Europa Editions
  • Published: 2020-04-07
  • Formats: 7
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami offers a deeply moving and stylistically inventive exploration of female identity and bodily agency. The story follows Makiko, her sister Natsuko, and Makiko’s daughter Midoriko as they navigate complex emotions tied to physical changes, societal expectations, and personal desires. Set against the backdrop of Tokyo and Osaka, the novel candidly addresses themes of puberty, aging, motherhood, and the quest for self-acceptance, all infused with humor and empathy. The narrative unfolds in two parts: the first centers on Makiko’s pursuit of breast augmentation and Midoriko’s silent struggle with adolescence, while the second, set years later, focuses on Natsuko’s contemplation of single motherhood and the anxieties of growing older alone. Kawakami’s vivid prose captures the raw realities of the female body and psyche, challenging traditional norms and offering a feminist perspective on life in contemporary Japan. Praised by critics and authors alike, the novel is both heartbreaking and joyous, illuminating the intimate and societal dimensions of womanhood.

Reviews
WordPress.com · 2022-08-24
thoughtful 4.00

The novel is praised for its candid and thoughtful portrayal of female bodily experiences and societal invisibility of aging women in Japan.

The reviewer reflects on how the novel addresses womanhood with frankness, from puberty to aging, and the cultural invisibility women face as they grow older. They note the contrast between characters’ differing relationships with their bodies, highlighting Makiko’s dissatisfaction with her breasts versus Natsuko’s acceptance, which offers a compelling exploration of femininity and societal pressures. The inclusion of Midoriko’s journal and Buddhist beliefs about gender adds a spiritual and introspective layer to the narrative. The reviewer is moved by the book’s ability to provoke reflection on harsh realities for women, including violence and societal expectations, making it a powerful and thought-provoking read.

Quick quotes

    The novel talks frankly about womanhood and the female body.

    Makiko’s wish for different breasts reminds Natsuko that her body’s failure to conform to the ideal presented in the media meant she gave up on trying to conform herself as a teenager.

    A news report about the rape and murder of a 70-year old woman gives Natsuko pause to reflect on how awful the world is for women.

Tony's Reading List · 2020-06-11
compelling 4.50

The narrative's second part compellingly explores the protagonist’s asexuality and her complex yearning for motherhood within societal constraints.

The reviewer focuses on the second part of the novel, emphasizing Natsuko’s personal and existential struggles, particularly her asexuality and desire to have a child without traditional intimacy. They highlight the candidness with which Natsuko’s internal conflicts are presented, including her confrontation with societal norms and the challenges of accessing reproductive technologies in Japan. The story’s depiction of female solidarity, through Natsuko’s friendships with other women navigating motherhood and career, adds warmth and depth. The reviewer appreciates the novel’s honest and nuanced portrayal of female identity, solitude, and the search for fulfillment beyond conventional expectations.

Quick quotes

    I understand wanting somebody beside you, wanting to hold somebody’s hand.

    Passion and sex were incompatible for me.

    Natsuko suddenly fears that her choice of solitude has come at a cost, spurring her into a very different kind of research.

Sam Still Reading · 2020-06-09
insightful 4.25

The novel insightfully explores women's complex relationships with their bodies and reproductive choices in contemporary Japan, highlighting varied societal and personal perspectives.

This review highlights the novel’s deep dive into themes of womanhood, focusing on characters grappling with body image and motherhood in a Japanese cultural context. It discusses how the story contrasts personal desires and societal expectations, especially around topics like breast augmentation and artificial insemination, offering a nuanced look at the ethical and emotional complexities women face. The reviewer appreciates the raw and spontaneous moments, such as a character's vehement opposition to motherhood, which add emotional depth and realism. The narrative structure, divided into two parts focusing on different characters and timelines, effectively portrays evolving perspectives on female identity and reproductive ethics.

Quick quotes

    Breasts and Eggs is about women and their bodies.

    Natsuko considers the options available to her to get pregnant, researching and asking friends.

    It’s perhaps the most unguarded, spontaneous moment of the novel, made all the more raw by the character’s own past.

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