by Mieko Kawakami
Published 2021
The story of three women by a writer hailed by Haruki Murakami as Japan's most important contemporary novelist, WINNER OF THE AKUTAGAWA PRIZE. On a sweltering summer day, Makiko travels from Osaka to Tokyo, where her sister Natsu lives. She is in the company of her daughter, Midoriko, who has lately grown silent, finding herself unable to voice the vague yet overwhelming pressures associated with adolescence. The story of these three women reunited in a working-class neighborhood of Tokyo is told through the gaze of Natsu--thirty years old, an aspiring writer, haunted by hardships endured in her youth. Over the course of their few days together in the capital, Midoriko's silence will prove a catalyst for each woman to confront her fears and family secrets. On yet another blistering summer's day eight years later, Natsu, during a journey back to her native city, struggles with her own indeterminate identity as she confronts anxieties about growing old alone and childless. One of Japan's most important and best-selling writers, Mieko Kawakami mixes stylistic inventiveness, wry humor, and riveting emotional depth to tell a story of contemporary womanhood in Japan. Breasts and Eggs recounts the intimate journeys of three women on the path to finding peace and futures they can call their own. "Original and deeply moving...This book is a gift."--Laura van den Berg A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF THE YEAR Vogue・Thrillist・The Millions・ Literary Hub・Now Toronto
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Top voices for narrating this book
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“The grounded maturity and calm articulation of this voice perfectly align with Natsu's reflective narration and measured introspection.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“Solenne's warm, velvety tone provides an intimate, slow, and measured pacing that beautifully conveys Natsu's serious and contemplative thoughts.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Casual
“This voice offers a deep, intimate quality with emotional depth and an expressive, cinematic feel, ideal for Natsu's profound reflections on past hardships.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“Kira Kira's steady, articulate delivery and mindful presence bring a warm, grounded essence suitable for Natsu's calm yet serious narrative voice.”
Female · Middle-Aged · Narration · Soft · Calm · Gentle · +3 more
“Her intimate, breathy quality provides a soft, calm, and gentle presence that can underscore Natsu's personal anxieties and reflective inner monologue.”
For listeners: use the Best Narrator voice above in ElevenReader or Fish Audio. Character casting is for authors producing audiobooks with studio tools.
Natsu's older sister, dealing with her own life and concerns, including her daughter Midoriko's silence. Her voice conveys a sense of world-weariness mixed with maternal concern.
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Wise
“Angela Angela’s empathetic tone perfectly captures Makiko's maternal concern and inherent warmth, offering a wise and friendly sound for the older sister.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“This voice offers a deeply soothing and warm presence, ideal for Makiko's protective and serious demeanor, portraying world-weariness with an underlying motherly quality.”
Irish · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Confident
“The sincere, comforting warmth in this voice can convey Makiko's underlying care amidst her weariness, with a calm, pleasant rhythm that feels trustworthy.”
Indian · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Confident
“India's deep, husky texture provides a grounded yet warm delivery, matching Makiko's serious and calm disposition as she navigates her life's concerns.”
Female · Middle-Aged · Character-Voice · Storytelling · Warm · Soft · +3 more
“A subtle mysterious quality combined with warmth and softness aligns with a nuanced portrayal of Makiko's internal struggles, making her expressive and smooth.”
An adolescent girl grappling with the pressures of growing up, leading her to silence. Her voice, when she speaks, should be soft and perhaps hesitant, reflecting her inner turmoil.
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Gentle
“The gentle, soft tone and measured pacing are perfect for Midoriko's hesitant and quiet nature, conveying her inner turmoil with an intimate calmness.”
British · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Whispery
“Her whispery, delicate delivery intrinsically fits Midoriko's struggle and tendency towards silence, offering an intimate and airy texture ideal for an adolescent girl.”
Female · Young · Conversational · Narration · Soft · Breathy · +3 more
“Captures the sincere, soft, and breathy intimacy needed for a character grappling with inner turmoil, making her spoken words feel vulnerable and genuine.”
Female · Young · Conversational · Narration · Soft · Calm · +3 more
“Offers a naturally soft and breathy presence that conveys the character's youth and vulnerability, making her dialogue feel gentle and intimate.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Whispery
“This voice provides a very intimate and soft texture, echoing Midoriko's withdrawn and sensitive nature through its whispery and soothing delivery.”