Asako Yuzuki

A highly fresh and original novel following a journalist in contemporary Japan as she investigates a serial killer convicted of luring wealthy men in with her cooking classes only to seduce, murder, and rob them, and a gripping exploration of misogyny, obsession, and the pleasures and pressures of food Journalist Rika Machida is facing an unusual assignment: she is tapped to investigate serial killer Manako Kajii, notorious for drawing rich men in with her pricey cooking classes, only to murder them and move on to the next. Kajii refuses to cooperate with the press until Rika writes her a letter asking for her beef stew recipe, a correspondence and ongoing series of conversations between the two women that sees Rika transforming as she becomes closer to Kajii, taking on some of her confidence and strength but also some of her deadly intention. Game on. Set in 2011, when dairy product shortages across Japan made butter a hot commodity, Butter depicts a vivid, panoramic view of contemporary Japan as seen through a diverse cast of Japanese women. An endlessly entertaining and sharply insightful look at the relationships between women and how they engage and challenge one another, revealing the many contradictions and complexities in the process, Asako Yuzuki's novel is filled with intoxicating descriptions of food and the body that also looks deeply at its connection to the sinister, criminal, and taboo, its enduring power and delight.

A Novel of Food and Murder

Butter

A Paperback Original Named a Most Anticipated Book by The New York Times, The Guardian, Forbes, Oprah Daily, Lit Hub, and Publishers Weekly From the author of the international bestseller Butter comes a chilling and perceptive novel about obsession, female friendship, and the slow unraveling of two lives Eriko’s life looks perfect—from her prestigious job at a Japanese trading firm to her spotless apartment and devoted parents. Her newest project, to reintroduce the controversial Nile Perch into the Japanese market, is as ambitious as she is. But beneath her flawless surface lies a consuming loneliness. Eriko has never been able to hold on to a real friend. Enter Shoko: a popular lifestyle blogger whose work Eriko follows obsessively. Shoko lives a life of controlled chaos—messy apartment, take-out dinners, a kind, easy-going husband. She writes about daily contentment, though her fractured relationship with her father gnaws at the edges of her happiness. When Eriko orchestrates a “chance” meeting with Shoko, the two women strike up an unlikely connection. For a fleeting moment, Eriko believes she’s finally found what she’s always longed for. But as her fascination turns to fixation and Shoko’s carefully balanced life begins to dissolve, both women are pushed to breaking points neither of them saw coming. Deftly translated by Polly Barton, Hooked is a taut, provocative novel about modern womanhood, the hunger for connection, and the quiet, ordinary ways our lives can spiral out of control. With razor-sharp insight and disarming empathy, Asako Yuzuki explores how far we’ll go to be seen and what happens when the ones who see us don’t like what they find.

A Novel of Obsession

Hooked

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

There are two things that I simply cannot tolerate: feminists and margarine.

Gourmet cook Manako Kajii sits in the Tokyo Detention House convicted of the serial murders of lonely businessmen, whom 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, entertaining no visitors. 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 master class in food than journalistic research. Rika hopes this gastronomic exchange will help her soften Kajii, but it seems that Rika might be the one changing. With each meal she eats, something is awakening in her body. Do she and Kajii have more in common than she once thought?

Inspired by the real case of a convicted con woman and serial killer—the “Konkatsu Killer”—Asako Yuzuki’s Butter is a vivid, unsettling exploration of misogyny, obsession, romance, and the transgressive pleasures of food in Japan.

Nile Perch Girls' Club

Mari the Unwonderful Witch

The unmissable new novel of friendship and dangerous obsession from Asako Yuzuki, the award-winning author of the global bestselling sensation Butter. Eriko really wouldn't mind being savaged, if it was her best friend doing the savaging ... Eriko's life appears perfect - devoted parents, spotless apartment and a job in the seafood division of one of Japan's largest trading companies. Her latest project, to reintroduce the controversial Nile perch fish into the Japanese market, is characteristically ambitious. But beneath her flawless surface she is wracked by loneliness. Eriko becomes fascinated with a popular blog written by a housewife, Shoko. Shoko's posts about eating convenience store food and her untidy home are the opposite of the typical Japanese housewife's manicured lifestyle. When Eriko tracks Shoko down at her favourite restaurant and befriends her, Shoko is at first charmed by her new companion. But as Eriko's obsession with Shoko deepens, her increasingly possessive behaviour starts to raise suspicion. As Eriko's carefully laid plans begin to unravel, how far will she go to hold on to the best friend that she's ever had? Beautifully translated by Polly Barton, Hooked is a thrilling and unsettling story of the line between friendship and dangerous obsession. A delicious exploration of food, loneliness and womanhood in contemporary Japan, Hooked brings together all the ingredients for which Asako Yuzuki is so adored.

Hooked PB

'Compelling, delightfully weird, often uncomfortable' PANDORA SYKES 'Unputdownable, breathtakingly original' ERIN KELLY 'Delicious' i-D Magazine 'Luscious ... I devoured this' IMOGEN CRIMP 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. 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, entertaining no visitors. 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, unsettling exploration of misogyny, obsession, romance and the transgressive pleasures of food in Japan. 'A salty morsel with one hell of a bite' ALICE SLATER 'A tour de force that will leave readers satisfied' RY ASAI

WINNER OF WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024 SHORTLISTED FOR THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS DEBUT NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2025 THE NUMBER 1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER A BBC BETWEEN THE COVERS BOOK CLUB PICK 'A full-fat, Michelin-starred treat' THE SUNDAY TIMES 'I have been glued to Asako Yuzuki's new novel Butter' NIGEL SLATER 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, entertaining no visitors. 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, unsettling exploration of misogyny, obsession, romance and the transgressive pleasures of food in Japan. 'Compelling, delightfully weird' PANDORA SYKES 'Luscious ... I devoured this' IMOGEN CRIMP 'A salty morsel with one hell of a bite' ALICE SLATER 'Unputdownable, breathtakingly original' ERIN KELLY 'Nothing short of ingenious' INEWS 'Ambitious and unsettling' GUARDIAN 'It isn't entirely clear whether to read the novel or devour it' OBSERVER

Nile Perch Girls Club PB

SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER VINCITORE DEL PREMIO WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024 SCELTO DAI LIBRAI BARNES & NOBLE COME SCOPERTA DELL’ANNO “Una burrosa delizia degna di una stella Michelin”THE SUNDAY TIMES “Avvincente, deliziosamente strano, spesso scomodo” PANDORA SYKES “Impossibile da mettere giù, straordinariamente originale” ERIN KELLY “Sono rimasto incollato al nuovo romanzo di Asako Yuzuki”NIGEL SLATER Il bestseller di culto giapponese su una cuoca gourmet serial killer e sulla giornalista che indaga per risolvere il caso, ispirato a una storia vera. Rika è una giornalista in una rivista maschile. È l'unica donna nel suo posto di lavoro e spesso viene trattata come una segretaria, quando non peggio. Per cercare di farsi strada lavora giorno e notte e tutto ciò che riesce a cucinare quando la sera torna tardi a casa è un ramen preconfezionato. Da tempo però un pensiero la assilla: vuole intervistare Manako Kajii, la cuoca gourmet accusata di aver assassinato gli uomini d'affari con i quali si intratteneva, dopo aver cucinato per loro. Ma la donna non rilascia interviste e non intende ricevere visitatori nel carcere di Tokyo dove è detenuta. Rika decide di provare un'altra strada e le scrive una lettera per conoscere la ricetta dello stufato di manzo, pezzo forte della cucina di Manako. La detenuta a quel punto accetta di incontrarla. Quando, però, le visite in carcere alla serial killer si intensificano, cresce anche la curiosità gastronomica di Rika. Durante i loro incontri, che si avvicinano più a una masterclass di cucina che a un'indagine giornalistica, sembra infatti che sia proprio la giovane reporter a cambiare. A ogni pasto che prepara e consuma, qualcosa si risveglia nel suo corpo e scopre nel cibo un piacere liberatorio: forse lei e Manako hanno in comune più di quanto pensasse? Ispirato al vero caso di cronaca della truffatrice e serial killer “The Konkatsu Killer”, "Butter" di Asako Yuzuki è un'esplorazione vivida e inquietante sulla misoginia, l'ossessione e il piacere trasgressivo del cibo in un Giappone in cui le donne devono sempre compiacere gli uomini e mai se stesse.

IL SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER VINCITORE DEL LIBRO WATERSTONES DELL'ANNO 2024

EL FENÓMENO JAPONÉS DE CULTO QUE NO SABRÁS SI LEER O DEVORAR. «Hay dos cosas que simplemente no puedo tolerar: a las feministas y la mantequilla.» La chef gourmet Manako Kajii se encuentra en el Centro de Detención de Tokio, acusada de haber asesinado en serie a unos cuantos empresarios solitarios, a quienes, al parecer, había seducido con su deliciosa comida tradicional. El caso cautiva a todo el país, pero Kajii se niega a dar declaraciones. Al menos hasta que la periodista Rika Machida le escribe una carta pidiéndole la receta de su estofado de carne. Kajii no puede resistirse a responder. Rika, la única mujer de su oficina, trabaja hasta tarde cada noche y rara vez se cocina nada que no sea un ramen. A medida que se suceden las conversaciones entre ella y la inflexible Kajii, estas se van pareciendo más y más a una clase magistral de cocina en lugar de a una investigación periodística. Rika confía en que este intercambio gastronómico la ayude a ablandar a Kajii, pero quizá sea ella quien está cambiando... ¿Tienen más en común de lo que ninguna de ellas jamás pensó? Inspirada en el caso real de «la asesina Konkatsu», Mantequilla, de Asako Yuzuki, es una exploración vívida y apasionante de la misoginia, la obsesión y los placeres transgresores de la comida en Japón.

Mantequilla

Roman

The charming, cosy tale about a very magical but slightly naughty witch, by bestselling author of BUTTER, Asako Yuzuki. MARI AND THE UNWONDERFUL WITCH follows Mari, an eleven-year-old witch who lives with her two mothers, loves food and fashion, but is less keen than she ought to be on using her magic to help others. In fact, when she breaks the golden rule that ‘you can’t use magic for yourself’, causing a giant-doughnut-sized catastrophe at her school, she’s in more trouble than ever before.. For fans of KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE by Eiko Kadano and THE HATMAKERS series by Tamzin Merchant.

Aquarium

A STYLIST MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2026 'Yuzuki has become the poster girl of a British boom for Japanese fiction' THE TIMES The unmissable new novel of friendship and dangerous obsession from Asako Yuzuki, the award-winning author of the global bestselling sensation Butter. Eriko really wouldn't mind being savaged, if it was her best friend doing the savaging ... Eriko's life appears perfect - devoted parents, spotless apartment and a job in the seafood division of one of Japan's largest trading companies. Her latest project, to reintroduce the controversial Nile perch fish into the Japanese market, is characteristically ambitious. But beneath her flawless surface she is wracked by loneliness. Eriko becomes fascinated with a popular blog written by a housewife, Shoko. Shoko's posts about eating convenience store food and her untidy home are the opposite of the typical Japanese housewife's manicured lifestyle. When Eriko tracks Shoko down at her favourite restaurant and befriends her, Shoko is at first charmed by her new companion. But as Eriko's obsession with Shoko deepens, her increasingly possessive behaviour starts to raise suspicion. As Eriko's carefully laid plans begin to unravel, how far will she go to hold on to the best friend that she's ever had? Beautifully translated by Polly Barton, Hooked is a thrilling and unsettling story of the line between friendship and dangerous obsession. A delicious exploration of food, loneliness and womanhood in contemporary Japan, Hooked brings together all the ingredients for which Asako Yuzuki is so adored.

Asako Yuzuki

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