{"title":"Asako Yuzuki","description":"\u003cp\u003eAsako Yuzuki's works weave together poignant tales that explore the intricacies of human relationships and personal growth. Her novels often blend elements of \u003cem\u003egeneral fiction\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eromance\u003c\/em\u003e, offering readers emotionally rich stories filled with subtle humour and thoughtful reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to adult fiction, Yuzuki's storytelling extends to the world of \u003cem\u003echildren's books\u003c\/em\u003e, where her imaginative narratives captivate younger audiences with charm and warmth. Her diverse range invites readers of all ages to experience deeply engaging characters and heartfelt journeys.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"butter","title":"Butter","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCompelling, delightfully weird, often uncomfortable\u003c\/em\u003e PANDORA SYKES\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eUnputdownable, breathtakingly original\u003c\/em\u003e ERIN KELLY\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eI have been glued to Asako Yuzuki's new novel \u003cem\u003eButter\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e NIGEL SLATER\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA full-fat, Michelin-starred treat\u003c\/em\u003e THE TIMES\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe cult Japanese bestseller about a female gourmet cook and serial killer and the journalist intent on cracking her case, inspired by a true story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere are two things that I can simply not tolerate: feminists and margarine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGourmet 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRika, 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 Kajii have more in common than she once thought?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eInspired by the real case of the convicted con woman and serial killer, \"The Konkatsu Killer\", Asako Yuzuki’s \u003cem\u003eButter\u003c\/em\u003e is a vivid, unsettling exploration of misogyny, obsession, romance and the transgressive pleasures of food in Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLuscious … I devoured this\u003c\/em\u003e IMOGEN CRIMP\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA salty morsel with one hell of a bite\u003c\/em\u003e ALICE SLATER\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNothing short of ingenious\u003c\/em\u003e INEWS\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAmbitious and unsettling\u003c\/em\u003e GUARDIAN\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt isn’t entirely clear whether to read the novel or devour it\u003c\/em\u003e OBSERVER\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45685824651500,"sku":"9780008679231","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780008679231.jpg?v=1725456820"},{"product_id":"hooked-by-asako-yuzuki-9780008802301","title":"Hooked","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe unmissable new novel of friendship and dangerous obsession from Asako Yuzuki, the award-winning author of the global bestselling sensation\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eButter\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEriko really wouldn’t mind being savaged, if it was her best friend doing the savaging …\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEriko’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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEriko 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?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeautifully translated by Polly Barton,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eHooked\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis a thrilling and unsettling story of the line between friendship and dangerous obsession. A delicious exploration of food, loneliness and womanhood in contemporary Japan,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eHooked\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ebrings together all the ingredients for which Asako Yuzuki is so adored.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46800754901228,"sku":"9780008802301","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780008802301.jpg?v=1757300035"},{"product_id":"butter-by-asako-yuzuki-9780063236417","title":"Butter","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eINTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe cult Japanese bestseller, a literary thriller about a female gourmet cook and serial killer, and the journalist intent on cracking her case, inspired by a true story\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThere are two things that I simply cannot tolerate: feminists and margarine.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGourmet 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. 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Perfect for fans of \u003ci\u003eWICKED\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eKIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eTHE HATMAKERS\u003c\/i\u003e series by Tamzin Merchant - and anyone who likes an enchanting adventure with just a hint of mischief.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eMari the Unwonderful Witch\u003c\/i\u003e introduces us to Mari, an eleven-year-old witch who loves her life. Indeed, what's not to love about spending time with her amazing mothers, hanging out with her clever friends, eating delicious food and experimenting with fashion?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut, if you ask any of the other witches in town, Mari loves her life a little too much. After all, a wonderful witch puts the needs of others before herself. Magic should be used to help humans - not (for example...) creating giant doughnuts for you and your classmates to scoff.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, Mari doesn't care what other people think of her - and when disaster strikes her town, she'll need to convince the other witches to have the courage to break free, too, and be just as wildly unwonderful as she is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47840091439340,"sku":"9780241831038","price":19.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/mari-the-unwonderful-witch_1.jpg?v=1782678540"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/asako-yuzuki.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}