My Year of Meats

This was so good!
I mean, it was totally weird in the beginning. I didn't really understand the point or where we were going, but it was so interesting! So i kept reading, and by like 150 pages I was absolutely invested. The characters started forming bonds and stuff, so it just became a lot more enjoyable to follow the story.

Content warnings for eating disorders, sexual assault, miscarriage, and more, probably, but those were the ones I picked up on.

delicious, electric style; ozeki's documentarian past shines through her characters. every character feels real & whole, even the wives that are featured for only a chapter or two. especially love how, as jane's faith in the meat industry dwindles, her narration becomes more interested in people rather than recipes.

despite ozeki's good work, it left much to be desired. for one, with how many parallels are set up btwn jane & akiko, you would think they would have more than one paltry face-to-face conversation. same thing for akiko & the vegetarian lesbians. though, i am fond of how woman-centric the latter half of the book became post-des informational session.

the racial commentary, at times, feels pushed aside, especially regarding discussion on colorism. in ozeki's attempt to portray how black people are often pushed aside, she inadvertently pushes them aside.

otherwise, a thrilling exploration of wifehood & meat consumption

Troubling story of American wife.