A book was picked out for me by my dad as a birthday gift. It was entirely due to the fact that he thought there was a hilariously irony in buying his vegan daughter a novel entitled “my year of meat” lol. But, you know what? For once, I’m actually glad for that terrible sense of humour that somehow innately exists within every father because I really, really, really loved this book!

Primarily, I thought the plot was so wonderfully crafted. The book explores the stories of two women, Jane and Akiko. They are living in different continents and yet experiencing grief, problems with fertility, self-discovery and moral dilemmas in parallel. The threads of their lives are delicately intertwined to weave an intimate portrayal of what it means to be a woman. This is all laid out against the wider morality of the meat industry, exploitation, corporate sponsorships, the power of truth and the responsibility the media has to deliver a message to its viewers. The latter is illustrated through the lens of Akiko, who is able to take hold of her own life, desires and sexuality as a result of engaging with Jane’s documentarian work.

The storytelling was just so precise and crisp. It did an amazing job at carrying the dark and heavier aspects of the story, allowing the resulting morals to be delivered with overarching warmth and grace. It made me think deeply about many aspects of life and society, and it also touched my heart with the characters' emotions and experiences. This book is truly a gem that I will cherish and recommend to others.

(4.5) I'm not sure what made me wait so long to read another novel by Ruth Ozeki after A Tale for the Time Being, which was one of my favorite books in 2013. This one is nearly as fresh, vibrant, and strange. Set in 1991, it centers around the creation of a Japanese documentary series called My American Wife, sponsored by a beef marketing firm. Japanese American filmmaker Jane Takagi-Little has the task of finding all-American families and documenting their daily lives, as well as their best meat recipes. The traditional values and virtues of her two countries are in sharp contrast, just like Main Street/Ye Olde America and the growing Walmart culture.

There is a clear message about cheapness and commodification here, but Ozeki presents it through the heart-wrenching stories of two women with fertility issues. Jane's reproductive system was damaged by DES, a synthetic estrogen her mother took during pregnancy to prevent a miscarriage. Akiko, the wife of Jane's boss, struggles with an eating disorder and domestic violence.

Jane begins to偷偷地 include controversial subjects in her shoots: a lesbian couple, a family formed by interracial adoption, and a five-year-old who has already gone through puberty due to the hormones used on her family's cattle feedlot. What is considered "natural," and what is labeled as alien or invasive? From the kudzu that chokes the South to a murdered Japanese exchange student, Ozeki explores the related issues of nativism and racism. The stories of her two protagonists – one told in the first person and the other in the third person – come together in a surprising way as Jane realizes that she has a more urgent obligation than creating an entertaining television show.

This is a bold novel that can be uncomfortable at times. At first, it reminded me of the exaggerated comedy in Julian Barnes's England, England and Jane Smiley's Moo, but as it got darker, it made me think more of Han Kang's The Vegetarian. It's challenging for a work of fiction to balance storytelling and raising awareness when dealing with ethical or environmental issues, but Ozeki does it with style. The only part that didn't mean much to me, perhaps just because I'm not familiar with it, was the excerpts from The Pillow Book of Shōnagon. It's sad to think that I only have one more Ozeki book left to read, All Over Creation. She publishes a book every 5-10 years on average; we can only hope that another one will come out soon.

Originally published on my blog, Bookish Beck.

The ending truly spoiled the whole experience for me. There was an artificiality in the magic that it attempted to sprinkle over what was otherwise a pristine and captivating narrative. I was on the verge of falling in love with it until the epilogue loomed.

Sometimes Akiko had the sensation of being a thief, furtively traversing the desolate recesses of her own existence, pilfering back moments and fragments of herself.

They decided to name her Joy. When she first came to reside in the large brick house at the end of the driveway, she spoke no English and certain things seemed to petrify her. Other things, such as the sight of the full Louisiana moon or a black child smaller than she was, would set her off in a different manner. It was as if something within her heart simply snapped. She would turn to face the nearest vertical surface, press her forehead against it, squeeze her eyes shut, and emit a high-pitched wail that pierced the ears. She would stand like this for hours, humming like a tuning rod to the pitch of her grief.

Eventually, I fell asleep again, and I dreamt about the slaughtered cow, hanging upside down, her life draining out of her as she rotated slowly. In my dream, I witnessed her legs moving in unison, as if she was running, and I realized she was envisioning an endless green pasture at the brink of death, where she could gallop away and graze for eternity.

Fed on a diet of truly abysmal news from the media, we exist in a perpetual state of suppressed panic. We are immobilized by bad knowledge, from which the only means of escape is to feign ignorance. Ignorance becomes empowering as it allows people to carry on living. Stupidity becomes proactive, a political proclamation. It has become our collective norm.

Many years ago, my parents owned a property, which in Australian is called a "farm", located in the Wyong Valley north of Sydney.

There, they engaged in breeding and raising beef cattle on the pasture. It was truly a beautiful place, a far cry from the stinking feedlots that are so vividly described in Ruth Ozeki's novel.

Even though, of course, the ultimate destination for those cattle - someone's table - remains the same. My mother read My Year Of Meat while she was living and working on this property.

After that, she passed the book on to me, stating that she found it "interesting." Soon after, my parents sold the property and retired.

Although My Year Of Meat is didactic and full of unlikely coincidences, one has to admire Ozeki for choosing to address the beef industry in novel form.

On pages 393-94, her documentary-making heroine Jane even ponders the difficulty of telling such a story: "Ignorance is an act of will, a choice that one makes over and over again, especially when information overwhelms and knowledge has become synonymous with impotence."

The chapter epigraphs from Sei Shōnagon's The Pillow Book are splendidly chosen. However, only the evil Japanese salaryman, Joichi Ueno (pronounced "John Wayne"), and his long-suffering wife Akiko seemed unbelievable to me.

Has the beef industry improved since the publication of Ozeki's novel? I highly doubt it. Therefore, My Year Of Meat is still very much worth reading.

It is truly tempting to view this book as nothing more than vegan/vegetarian propaganda. To be completely honest, I must admit that's precisely why I initially had the urge to read it. However, as is always the case with Ozeki's works, she crafts a multifaceted and deeply moving story that delves into womanhood, family, and the American meat industry.

In my personal opinion, the central message of the book is not to compel one to stop eating meat altogether or even necessarily to reduce one's meat intake. Instead, it aims to foster a more conscious understanding of an individual's own relationship with the meat they consume.

Once one becomes aware of the inhumane practices and the torture that takes place within the slaughterhouses, it becomes extremely challenging, in good conscience, to support the meat industry in its current state. Simultaneously, food is an integral part of life. For countless people, it serves as a means by which we connect with our families, cultures, and our own well-being.

What I truly love about this book, as well as all of Ozeki's books, is the way she captures the complexity and interconnectedness of the difficult decisions that we grapple with throughout the course of a lifetime. Overall, after reading this book, I am left with a sense of clarity regarding how I desire my relationship with meat to be, as well as a profound empathy for everyone who is making their own arduous decisions.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book to a much greater extent than I had initially anticipated. I listened to the unabridged audiobook, which was read by the wonderful Anna Fields.

I discovered this book after reading and falling in love with "A Tale for the Time Being" by Ruth Ozeki. Before that book, I was not familiar with Ozeki, but it truly blew me away. I knew right then that I wanted to read more of her works and went in search of a great next read. Based on the comments on Goodreads for this particular book, I almost skipped it. I understand and am very concerned about the danger that factory farming poses to our environment and our health. However, few crusaders are more holier-than-thou or less flexible than the "meat-is-murder" crowd, and I have no interest in spending my precious reading time on a didactic rant. I'm so glad I ignored those comments that almost scared me off because this is an outstanding book. It's not just about the adverse effects of factory farming. The book delves into life partnering and the place those relationships hold in countries where women have the freedom to choose their partners freely, as well as in places where they don't. It explores how we define family, both chosen and not. It's about friendship, the power of shared purpose, and cultural differences, not only between the US and Japan but also between Americans from different regions, of different races, from different socioeconomic backgrounds, and of different religions.

Jane, the central character around whom all the other characters revolve, is smart, independent, passionate, generous, serious, cautious, and effective. I absolutely adored her interactions and the choices she made. Sure, she could be a brat at times, but she herself realizes that at some point and feels a little sorry for the collateral damage caused by her rebellious behavior. Also, it helps that her more juvenile actions are quite entertaining, especially when directed at someone who truly deserves it. I liked Jane, and I also liked, or was at least interested in, most of the other characters.

I did have two minor issues with the book that caused me to deduct a star (or really more like half a star). One was John Ueno. I have spent many years reporting to Japanese clients and have spent a significant amount of time working in Japan. The unwavering allegiance to the company that seems absurd to many commenters actually accurately represents a large number of Japanese workers, especially those in middle management. However, I think Ozeki went a bit too far in demonizing Ueno. She made him seem almost dumb rather than just loyal and focused. This is someone who wouldn't have reached the level he was at simply by blindly serving the company. He is described as physically unattractive, smelly, and pompous, and he doesn't come from a prestigious family. He wouldn't be in a position of power unless he was quite effective, but the Ueno presented in the book doesn't seem that way. He ends up being more of a parody, and I think this detracts from the book. (The Japanese crew, on the other hand, was delightful and spot-on. Their porn obsession cracked me up. I once asked an engineer from a client company what his favorite thing had been during his first visit to the US, and his answer was "Crystal City Restaurant," a suburban DC strip club. While answering, he repeatedly moved his hands in a way to indicate big boobs and said, "American women so different in all good ways!") My second issue is the author's desire to neatly tie up everything in a happy ending. I have nothing against a happily-ever-after. I love happy endings. But in the last few pages, so many loose ends were resolved in a fairy-tale fashion for so many people that it became a bit ridiculous. Still, overall, this is an excellent read and I highly recommend it.

This book was truly one of a kind, completely distinct from anything I had ever perused before.

Certainly, there were a couple of sections that seemed to stretch on a little too long for my personal taste. However, on the other hand, there were numerous parts within the book that were so incredibly gripping and engaging.

These captivating portions held my attention firmly, to the extent that I simply could not bring myself to put the book down.

It was as if I was under a spell, completely immersed in the story and eager to discover what would happen next on every page.

The author had managed to create a narrative that had both its slower moments and its intense, unputdownable ones, resulting in a reading experience that was both unique and unforgettable.

A high 3.5 stars.

I truly respect the fact that this book improved steadily as it progressed. It poses numerous questions regarding TV conflicts of interest with corporate sponsors, the boundary between documentary and fiction, and the horrors within the U.S. meat industry.

Interestingly, there was an interview with Ozeki at the back of my copy, and she addressed many of the issues I had with the book, such as disliking the combination of first person and third person, a one-dimensional villain, and the occasional random rants about the meat industry. However, her responses did not alter my reading experience.

It is still recommended, but for those new to Ozeki, it is advisable to read "A Tale for the Time Being" first. This way, they can get a better sense of her writing style and the themes she often explores before delving into this particular work.

Overall, despite its flaws, this book offers valuable insights and food for thought on various important topics.

4.5 stars!

I swear this book was crafted in a laboratory with me in mind. The way it intricately weaves together women's relationships with sexuality and reproduction, the terrifying and hypocritical aspects of industrial farming, and the moral foundations of documentary filmmaking is truly captivating from beginning to end!!!

The exploration of how women navigate their sexual and reproductive lives is both thought-provoking and relatable. It delves deep into the complex emotions and decisions that women face, making it a powerful read.

At the same time, the book shines a light on the dark side of industrial farming, revealing the inhumane treatment of animals and the negative impact on the environment. This aspect of the story is eye-opening and makes you question the ethics of our food production systems.

Finally, the moral underpinnings of documentary filmmaking add another layer of depth to the narrative. It forces you to consider the responsibilities of filmmakers and the power of their work to influence and change society.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in these important topics. It combines engaging storytelling with profound insights, making it a truly unforgettable read.

YESSSSS I absolutely loved this one. It's truly remarkable how much real-world knowledge I could gain from a fictional story. Before starting this book, my understanding of hormone poisoning within meat production in the U.S. was rather limited. However, now, after delving into its pages, I find myself at a significantly higher level of comprehension.

Besides simply accumulating a wealth of random facts, I was deeply moved emotionally by the two main protagonists, Jane and Akiko. I have a particular weakness for storylines where the paths of the characters converge after a whole 400 pages of being physically separate, yet running parallel. This book had the power to make me laugh out loud, bring tears to my eyes, and even invoke a justifiable anger. In fact, if I hadn't been using a Kindle, I might have been tempted to throw the book across the room in frustration.

Similar to Jane's intrapsychic conflict with her "year of meats", I initially had my doubts about finding enjoyment through the perspective of a documentarian working on a television show about BEEF. But it didn't take long for me to become completely hooked. The author's ability to create such engaging and relatable characters, along with a thought-provoking plot, made this book an absolute delight to read.

This is a captivating tale filled with stark contrasts. On one hand, we have Shonagon's Pillow Book with its delicate lists, and on the other, documentaries crafted to sell meat to Japanese housewives, proclaiming "beef is best." There is take-charge Jane Takagi-Little and the more submissive Akiko Ueno, as well as the juxtaposition of Japanese and American culture.

The story is told mostly in alternating segments from the perspectives of Jane and Akiko, with occasional insights from other characters. Jane begins the novel as a starving, aspiring documentarian who then lands a job with Beef-EX. Despite her firm's intention to simply promote the consumption of meat in Japan through the series "My American Wife," Jane vows to use her skills to tell the "real" story.

Neither Jane's nor Akiko's lives follow a set recipe. However, the ingredients that Ruth Ozeki has carefully laid out throughout the story lead to an ending where everything they have "seen and felt is included." This "everything" encompasses domestic violence, DES, miscarriages, mother-daughter relationships, a love story, the journey of learning to be true to oneself, and the grisly facts of the meat industry.

I must admit that I had to skip through some parts that detailed a visit to a cattle ranch and the specifics of how cattle make their way from the ranch to our dinner tables (call me a chicken). But this was towards the end of the book, and at least I was forewarned!

This book is truly incredible.

OMG! I just finished reading it and I have to say it is so good.

The story is engaging from the very beginning, with well-developed characters and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The author's writing style is captivating, making it easy to get lost in the world of the book.

Each chapter brings new surprises and twists, making it impossible to put down.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read.

Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

Whether you're a fan of fiction or non-fiction, this book has something for everyone.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab a copy and start reading today!