Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami - A recommendation

Light spilled off every surface. The light of day. I meditated on this phrase and stared into the radiance.The novel Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami, is an unprecedented novel revolving around femininity and bodily autonomy. We follow the narration through the gaze of three women, from three different generations that face different issues that women struggle with on a daily basis. From Menstruation, the “perfect” body, menopause and pregnancy, these three women take us along their life, as observers of difficulties that often go untold. 

The three characters that lead us through the book are Natsuko, Makiko, and Midoriko. Although they all face different issues, it all comes down to one: Bodily autonomy and whether it is even possible to reclaim it. Bodily autonomy, in this context, does not only mean an independent choice but also, autonomy from our own mind and its expectations, and from the body itself. While bodily autonomy can be reclaimed from the outside world and the mind, the same does not go for autonomy from the body. Our three characters exemplify that perfectly; there is only so much you can work on yourself, but you will still be constrained; you cannot defeat biology which simultaneously dictates how your life (and different periods) unfold. All this to say the novel is not a pessimistic outlook on femininity, but simply a real one; It portrays struggles in a raw and pure manner, without glorifications or downplayments. Instead, the novel focuses on acceptance, on how to make sense and peace with one’s body, and how to create a life in which the body is not seen as your enemy, but as your accomplice. 

This novel is not what one could call a fast paced book, but what it is, is peaceful, quiet, and truthful. What is especially important, is that it was one of the first truly feminist books to have originated in east Asia, where most of the books and authors still keep very stereotypical and objectifying portrayals of women.