''Butter Honey Pig Bread'' is

Francesca Ekwuyasi Francesca Ekwuyasi is a Nigerian-Canadian writer and artist.Jade Nauss"Francesca Omolara Ekwuyasi moves from Penance to reconciliation" '' The Coast'', November 28, 2019. She is most noted for her debut novel ''Butter Honey Pig Bread'', which was ...

's debut novel, a contemporary novel published September 3, 2020 by Arsenal Pulp Press. The book tells the story of three women, Kambirinachi and her twin daughters, Kehinde and Taiye, and takes place over three continents. Its main themes include food, family, and forgiveness.

Background

In 2013, after completing her mandatory National Youth Service Corps stint in Nigeria and awaiting her Canadian visa, Ekwuyasi began writing and spent her days reading Nigerian literature in a local library. This experience shaped the writing of ''Butter Honey Pig Bread.'' Later, Ekwuyasi received her Canadian visa and moved to Halifax and continued writing ''Butter Honey Pig Bread,'' though she didn't intend for it to be published. However, a friend encouraged her to send a draft to Arsenal Pulp Press, and around the time her Canadian work permit ended, the manuscript was accepted. In time, the book was published, and Ekwuyasi received

permanent residence ''Permanent Residence'' () is a 2009 Hong Kong film starring Sean Li and Osman Hung. It was directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Danny Cheng, also known as Scud. The film explores several themes traditionally regarded as 'taboo' in Hong Kong societ ...

in Canada.

Reception

''Butter Honey Pig Bread'' received starred reviews from ''

Booklist ''Booklist'' is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. ''Booklist''s primary audience consists of libraries, educators, and booksellers. The magazine is av ...

'' and ''

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of B ...

,'' as well as numerous positive reviews. Laura Chanoux, writing for ''Booklist'', applauded Ekwuyasi's writing, saying, "The descriptions throughout the novel ... invite readers to fully savor Ekwuyasi’s language. Her writing is at times playful ... Mixing emotional depth with supernatural elements, this is a masterful debut." Further positive reviews came from ''

The New Yorker ''The New Yorker'' is an American weekly magazine featuring journalism, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons, and poetry. Founded as a weekly in 1925, the magazine is published 47 times annually, with five of these issues ...

,'' ''The Puritan,'' ''Hamilton Review of Books,'' ''

The Suburban ''The Suburban'' is the largest English language weekly newspaper in the province of Quebec. It is a community newspaper based in Montreal's Saint-Laurent borough which publishes three geographically based editions containing some shared and s ...

'', ''This Black Girl Reads,'' ''Consumed by Ink,'' and ''Foreword Reviews''. CBC named ''Honey Butter Pig Bread'' one of the best Canadian novels of 2020. ''

The Globe and Mail ''The Globe and Mail'' is a Canadian newspaper printed in five cities in western and central Canada. With a weekly readership of approximately 2 million in 2015, it is Canada's most widely read newspaper on weekdays and Saturdays, although it ...

'' and ''

Quill & Quire ''Quill & Quire'' is a Canadian magazine about the book and publishing industry. The magazine was launched in 1935 and has an average circulation of 5,000 copies per issue, with a publisher-claimed readership of 25,000. ''Quill & Quire'' reviews ...

'' included it in their list of the best books of the year, regardless of genre. ''Butter Honey Pig Bread'' was the ninth best selling Canadian book in 2021.

References

{{reflist 2020 Canadian novels Novels set in Nigeria Novels set in Montreal Novels set in London Canadian LGBT novels LGBT literature in Nigeria 2020 debut novels Black Canadian literature Arsenal Pulp Press books