Thursday, July 14, 2005
A Life of Food
I'm finished! Seconds, please.
Tender At The Bone
I hadn't realized it before, but I love reading about food. Under the Tuscan Sun only took me 24 hours to finish, and I savored every word. Though it has taken me a couple more days to finish, Tender At the Bone feels the same somehow.
Ruth Reichl is, among other things, an amazing storyteller. She begins her narrative by warning the reader that "Storytelling, in my family, was highly prized." Though she admits there might be some embroidery among the details, it doesn't make the book any less enjoyable. In fact, I think I prefer that method over the common disclaimer that names and such have been changed to protect the innocent. It does make you wonder if her life has really been as exciting as it sounds in the book, but that won't make you lose interest in it.
There are so many parts of the book I'd love to talk about, and I would if space and time weren't such a hot commodity right now. However, I really must mention that the over-arching theme of the book, Ruth's relationship with her mother, is portrayed honestly but not in a way that the rough parts detract from the narrative. To be glib, her mother was a bit of a nut. The way that Ruth juggles this instability with her own coming of age is truly amazing, and always involves her creative outlet, food.
This is the kind of book I recommend to others because while I was reading and when I was finished, I had this sort of energized buzz going on that only happens when a story really grabs me. I can't think of a single thing that detracts from the piece. However, I'm a real food-nut, so this book has special appeal. I think I'll plunge straight into the next one, Comfort Me With Apples.
I hadn't realized it before, but I love reading about food. Under the Tuscan Sun only took me 24 hours to finish, and I savored every word. Though it has taken me a couple more days to finish, Tender At the Bone feels the same somehow.
Ruth Reichl is, among other things, an amazing storyteller. She begins her narrative by warning the reader that "Storytelling, in my family, was highly prized." Though she admits there might be some embroidery among the details, it doesn't make the book any less enjoyable. In fact, I think I prefer that method over the common disclaimer that names and such have been changed to protect the innocent. It does make you wonder if her life has really been as exciting as it sounds in the book, but that won't make you lose interest in it.
There are so many parts of the book I'd love to talk about, and I would if space and time weren't such a hot commodity right now. However, I really must mention that the over-arching theme of the book, Ruth's relationship with her mother, is portrayed honestly but not in a way that the rough parts detract from the narrative. To be glib, her mother was a bit of a nut. The way that Ruth juggles this instability with her own coming of age is truly amazing, and always involves her creative outlet, food.
This is the kind of book I recommend to others because while I was reading and when I was finished, I had this sort of energized buzz going on that only happens when a story really grabs me. I can't think of a single thing that detracts from the piece. However, I'm a real food-nut, so this book has special appeal. I think I'll plunge straight into the next one, Comfort Me With Apples.
posted by Meepers, 7/14/2005 04:56:00 PM
3 Comments:
commented by 
Kelly, 7/15/2005 06:11:00 AM
Kelly, 7/15/2005 06:11:00 AM
I've never heard of Candyfreak, but I looked it up on Amazon, and it sounds interesting. What did you like about it in particular?
Well, the book describes this fellow's trips to various candy factories, small and large. The most interesting parts for me are the people who run those factories, especially the small ones that are being overrun by the big corporations.
Also, the author was a huge plus. He really is obsessed with candy/chocolate, almost to a perverse level. But it's so much fun to read about it, especially if you also enjoy candy, like I do. The guy reminded me of Woody Allen: fun to read/watch his creative endavours, but way too neurotic for me to want to hang out with him in real life.
Also, the author was a huge plus. He really is obsessed with candy/chocolate, almost to a perverse level. But it's so much fun to read about it, especially if you also enjoy candy, like I do. The guy reminded me of Woody Allen: fun to read/watch his creative endavours, but way too neurotic for me to want to hang out with him in real life.
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