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lsparrow's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. I loved how Madhur used food memories to draw you throughout this memoir. Although different in many ways from my own childhood there were so many similarities and parallels. It made me think of my own food childhood memories - of mango orchards, picnic at historic sites, street food and more.
heidihaverkamp's review against another edition
4.0
Jaffrey writes about growing up as a young, upper middle caste woman in India - mostly around Delhi and Kashmir - in the 1930s and 40s. I don't know a lot about Indian history or culture and this seemed like a good way to start, with a memoir. She's a great writer. The plot traces family, patriarchy, the amazing mixing of languages and cultures - Hindu/Muslim/British/Jain and even Persian, education, colonialism and post-colonialism. I learned a lot about the different regions and cities, too, which was helpful - I have been pretty ignorant. She's most famous as a cookbook author, so there's a lot of fun information and details about food too!
wintermute9's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.25
margardenlady's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
slow-paced
4.0
Jaffrey chronicles her childhood of privilege during India's turbulent days of separation. Unsurprisingly, she describes many delicious meals and dishes of both Muslim and Hindu origin and includes several recipes at the end.
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
”When I left India to study in England, I could not cook at all, but my palate had already recorded millions of flavors. From cumin to ginger, they were all in my head, waiting to be called into service.”
This is the tale of how all those flavors made their way to Jaffrey’s palate. This is the tale of her years growing up, her family and the India that she grew up in. I say the India where she grew up because India, like many countries is a conglomeration of cultures and for all people who grow up in that country, their India is individualized. Really we all grow up in a place that is tailored to our tastes by our environment. Jaffrey’s story is just one of many.
I found this list of culinary memoirs last fall: https://bookriot.com/2017/10/05/memoirs-by-women-in-the-culinary-world/ and I have slowly been working my way through the list. I had read Tender at the Bone years ago and I figured that any bibliography that contained that book would have others that I would like. I was correct.
Jaffrey does not talk much about cooking. I was a bit disappointed with that, but I did enjoy reading about her childhood. India is not on my bucket list, but every book I read about that country shows me that it is very diverse. I should know that, but it is good to learn about all the different cultures of this fascinating country.
I am grateful to Jaffrey for showing me what it was like to grow up in India and what that culture includes. I am especially glad that I learned more about the relationships among Hindus and Muslims. It is so complicated, but learning the personal aspects is very useful.
This is the tale of how all those flavors made their way to Jaffrey’s palate. This is the tale of her years growing up, her family and the India that she grew up in. I say the India where she grew up because India, like many countries is a conglomeration of cultures and for all people who grow up in that country, their India is individualized. Really we all grow up in a place that is tailored to our tastes by our environment. Jaffrey’s story is just one of many.
I found this list of culinary memoirs last fall: https://bookriot.com/2017/10/05/memoirs-by-women-in-the-culinary-world/ and I have slowly been working my way through the list. I had read Tender at the Bone years ago and I figured that any bibliography that contained that book would have others that I would like. I was correct.
Jaffrey does not talk much about cooking. I was a bit disappointed with that, but I did enjoy reading about her childhood. India is not on my bucket list, but every book I read about that country shows me that it is very diverse. I should know that, but it is good to learn about all the different cultures of this fascinating country.
I am grateful to Jaffrey for showing me what it was like to grow up in India and what that culture includes. I am especially glad that I learned more about the relationships among Hindus and Muslims. It is so complicated, but learning the personal aspects is very useful.
red_magpie's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book despite uneven, choppy writing. The food descriptions were heavenly but I couldn't help but wince at her descriptions of luxury in a city filled with poverty and want.
nnjack7's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
If you’re the type of person who enjoys hearing older people share stories of their idyllic childhoods, then you will love this memoir. If you enjoy books that can transport you to another place, where you can almost taste the flavors the author is describing, then you will love this memoir. “Climbing the Mango Trees” gives us a glimpse of what an upper-class childhood looked like in 20th century India. You become so fully immersed into Indian culture, language, holidays, and most especially, food. This book was completely transportive, and was perfect reading for lazy summer afternoons.