Breasts and Eggs: A Novel by Mieko Kawakami

The debut novel of acclaimed Japanese author Mieko Kawakami, “Breasts and Eggs” is a deeply moving, candid and unique exploration of womanhood and our complex relationships with the world.

The novel follows the life of Natsuko, a thirtysomething single woman living as a temp in Tokyo. She writes for a magazine during the day, dreaming of becoming an independent woman but facing challenges on all fronts. She shares an apartment with her pre-teen sister, Makiko, and her brother-in-law Haru, whom she is increasingly attracted to.

A visit from her elderly widowed aunt provides a crucial turning point for Natsuko. Her aunt confides in her about the pain of menopause and regretting never having married, inspiring Natsuko to reconsider the choices she has made in her life. As her aunt talks, Natsuko grapples with her own regrets, ambivalence and sense of being adrift in the world.

Meanwhile, Makiko makes plans to use the inheritance she received from her father to pay for medical treatments to enhance her breasts. Natsuko’s initial disapproval of Makiko’s desire to conform to society’s expectations of female beauty softens into acceptance as she struggles to nurture and protect her beloved sibling.

Simultaneously, Natsuko's feelings for Haru become complicated as she gradually realizes how kind and considerate he is. When Natsuko helps Makiko to realize that the medical treatment she seeks may not provide the happiness she yearns for, Natsuko begins to face her own questions about her desires and sense of self.

Kawakami’s prose is intricate and thought-provoking. She skillfully captures the loneliness and confusion of contemporary life in Japan as Natsuko contemplates the choices she’s made. “Breasts and Eggs” poignantly encapsulates the struggle of women to experience autonomy and find their place in the world.

Kawakami intersperses Natsuko’s story with the compelling tales of several other women, each negotiating her own demanding path. The novel takes us into the lives of a transgender sex worker, a pregnant teen, a self-harm victim and a single mother to provide a nuanced exploration of women’s resilience and strength.

Filled with insight and wit, “Breasts and Eggs” is an inspiring and timely look at the struggles women face in a rapidly changing world. In its refreshingly honest and poignant exploration of womanhood, Kawakami offers a powerful reminder that we are defined not only by our circumstances, but also by our courage and love.