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emilyb_chicago's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is a delightful collection of very short short stories (most about 2-3 pages long) all focusing on food. Most made me feel like I was sitting in the kitchen with a dear friend and as she is explaining what she is cooking she is also sharing her memories and life with you. Almost every story warmed my heart and I reread many of them even as I was progressing through the book. This is a book I will continue to go back to when I need a breath of comfort in my life.
thebobsphere's review
4.0
It’s quite strange but it’s difficult to find adult fiction which focuses solely on food. Of course they exist. There’s Lara Esquivel’s Like Water for Chocolate, Jim Crace’s The Devil’s Larder , Joanna Harris’ Chocolat but a quick Google search led me into a lot of food based romances but if you look at it, there aren’t many.
When I heard that Deixis Press were publishing a food based short story collection, I got excited, and I greedily (oh dear there could a be a plethora of food based words in this review) requested a copy. I felt like it was a duty to do so, plus I REALLY like the books Deixis publish.
Trust me Chocolate Cake for Imaginary Lives does not disappoint. 38 short stories and ALL feature food prominently. Be it the recipe bonding session via presents in a fridge, how a pecan bar is intricately connected with the 2016 US elections, TWO brownie recipes, how scones can affect someone’s standing in a small community. I could go one describing the stories, not to mention the amount of recipes one finds in the book. It’s a food lover’s delight.
When one reads these stories one notices how integral food is to us. if it’s a celebration or commiserating someone, food is present. When travelling one has to try the local cuisine, which will have historical significance. Religious rites involve food or even a refusal of certain types of dishes. The bottom line is that food is important, not only as something which keeps us alive but as something that has many deep subtexts – from feelings to identity food is there and Genevieve Jenner brings this out in the book.
Does one have to be a foodie to like this book? definitely not but enjoying it does help a lot plus the reader does have some recipes to get a food obsession started.
When I heard that Deixis Press were publishing a food based short story collection, I got excited, and I greedily (oh dear there could a be a plethora of food based words in this review) requested a copy. I felt like it was a duty to do so, plus I REALLY like the books Deixis publish.
Trust me Chocolate Cake for Imaginary Lives does not disappoint. 38 short stories and ALL feature food prominently. Be it the recipe bonding session via presents in a fridge, how a pecan bar is intricately connected with the 2016 US elections, TWO brownie recipes, how scones can affect someone’s standing in a small community. I could go one describing the stories, not to mention the amount of recipes one finds in the book. It’s a food lover’s delight.
When one reads these stories one notices how integral food is to us. if it’s a celebration or commiserating someone, food is present. When travelling one has to try the local cuisine, which will have historical significance. Religious rites involve food or even a refusal of certain types of dishes. The bottom line is that food is important, not only as something which keeps us alive but as something that has many deep subtexts – from feelings to identity food is there and Genevieve Jenner brings this out in the book.
Does one have to be a foodie to like this book? definitely not but enjoying it does help a lot plus the reader does have some recipes to get a food obsession started.
portybelle's review
4.0
Warning – do not read this book if you are hungry! The chapters with recipes will have you drooling – macaroni and cheese, chocolate brownies, a beef casserole, a plum tart and, of course, chocolate cake to name but a few.
This is a book which will awaken the senses. Through her writing, the author shows food is most definitely something sensual, to be enjoyed. Not just necessary physical nourishment but food for the soul too. The common ingredient in all the stories is simply food, whether it’s a meal with a lover, a family celebration, a scant meal scraped together in time of conflict or a picnic in a field.
Genevieve Jenner has written a wonderfully engaging collection of stories with a huge range of characters and situations to make you think. I always think short stories are great to dip into if you are short on time. But in this case, these are stories to be savoured.
This is a book which will awaken the senses. Through her writing, the author shows food is most definitely something sensual, to be enjoyed. Not just necessary physical nourishment but food for the soul too. The common ingredient in all the stories is simply food, whether it’s a meal with a lover, a family celebration, a scant meal scraped together in time of conflict or a picnic in a field.
Genevieve Jenner has written a wonderfully engaging collection of stories with a huge range of characters and situations to make you think. I always think short stories are great to dip into if you are short on time. But in this case, these are stories to be savoured.
cobwebshelves's review
funny
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
"you can take the simple things in the pantry and make a meal, but if you invite others in you can have a feast together."
if you're looking for a cozy comfort read for the darker months of the year, "chocolate cake for imaginary lives" is a great choice. the short story collection is equal parts sweet and savoury, and despite containing nearly 40 stories, it doesn't run too long.
the most fun thing about this book is most of the food that's depicted comes with clear cooking instructions, making it a cheeky cookbook embedded in the stories. as an extra appreciation, jenner provides the measurements in both metric and imperial units, so no one's left behind.
jenner has a great wit to her style – the stories are funny, ranging from small inside jokes between characters to compelling satire. most stories are disconnected, though some arcs intertwine. i appreciated returning to mimi's story, making it the longest one in the collection, as it beautifully depicts food as something that binds a community together. despite what the name might imply, not all stories are sugary sweet – some carry the weight of loss, whether that's family, relationships, or culture. the balance is well-maintained without jarring shifts of tone.
overall, "chocolate cake for imaginary lives" is a very rich and pleasant reading experience. that said, perhaps have a snack before you sit down to read it.
thank you to netgalley and deixis press for the access.
if you're looking for a cozy comfort read for the darker months of the year, "chocolate cake for imaginary lives" is a great choice. the short story collection is equal parts sweet and savoury, and despite containing nearly 40 stories, it doesn't run too long.
the most fun thing about this book is most of the food that's depicted comes with clear cooking instructions, making it a cheeky cookbook embedded in the stories. as an extra appreciation, jenner provides the measurements in both metric and imperial units, so no one's left behind.
jenner has a great wit to her style – the stories are funny, ranging from small inside jokes between characters to compelling satire. most stories are disconnected, though some arcs intertwine. i appreciated returning to mimi's story, making it the longest one in the collection, as it beautifully depicts food as something that binds a community together. despite what the name might imply, not all stories are sugary sweet – some carry the weight of loss, whether that's family, relationships, or culture. the balance is well-maintained without jarring shifts of tone.
overall, "chocolate cake for imaginary lives" is a very rich and pleasant reading experience. that said, perhaps have a snack before you sit down to read it.
thank you to netgalley and deixis press for the access.
theliterarylemen's review
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was everything it promised to be! It was funny, it was charming, it was a series of love letters from people all over the world to food and the ritual of cooking. The first story is an absolutely perfect opening of strangers in an office sharing their culinary expertise and traditions with each other. From there the book alternates between fictional short stories and essays.
I loved the humor, the insight, and all the different recipes in this book! If you love food, not just eating food, but cooking, baking, admiring the ritual and history of food- this book is for you.
This book was everything it promised to be! It was funny, it was charming, it was a series of love letters from people all over the world to food and the ritual of cooking. The first story is an absolutely perfect opening of strangers in an office sharing their culinary expertise and traditions with each other. From there the book alternates between fictional short stories and essays.
I loved the humor, the insight, and all the different recipes in this book! If you love food, not just eating food, but cooking, baking, admiring the ritual and history of food- this book is for you.