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klparmley's review
3.0
Not a lot of surprises in the story, but the Chinese culture and history was interesting. Sent me on a search for authentic Chinese food in the Triangle.
book_concierge's review
4.0
Maggie McElroy, a widowed American food writer, is still trying to overcome her grief at her husband’s death in a hit-and-run accident, when she is stunned by a call from his law firm’s satellite office in Beijing. There is a paternity claim against her husband’s estate, and Maggie needs to go to Beijing to convince the child’s mother to agree to a DNA test. Immersing herself in work is what has helped her deal with her grief, so she is distressed when she tells her editor she will need to be gone for several weeks. But her editor has just learned of an interesting story in Beijing that Maggie could cover. Sam Liang, a Chinese-American, has returned to Beijing to open a new restaurant, paying homage to the grand tradition of famous chefs of the imperial era. In fact, he is descended from the Last Chinese Chef who worked for the Dowager Empress.
Maggie is a woman consumed by grief, surviving in a bubble of memories that has just been shattered. Did she really know her husband? Did he really love her? How could he have fathered this child, AND kept it a secret from her? Dealing with such a claim would be difficult and trying enough in America. But now she finds herself in a city where she does not understand the language, culture or customs, and must rely on strangers to help her. Her planned article on Sam Liang is the only area where she can feel somewhat normal as a journalist, researching her subject and crafting the written portrait. They are both surprised to find in one another an ally and friend, and they nurture one another with food, with understanding, with encouragement and with hope.
Mones deftly combines Sam’s story with Maggie’s, and with the tradition and history of Chinese cuisine, philosophy, culture and dining. The descriptions of the menus and dishes are nothing short of delicious – a sensory feast of tastes, sounds, smells, textures, and visual images. Just as much attention is paid to developing these characters; Mones reveals them a little at a time allowing the reader to get to know them as they deal with various disappointments and unexpected joys. There were a few times when Mones switched narrators that momentarily confused me, but it didn’t take long to understand where she was going with these sections, and then appreciate how they contributed to developing the characters and story. Take your time reading it – savor every page.
Maggie is a woman consumed by grief, surviving in a bubble of memories that has just been shattered. Did she really know her husband? Did he really love her? How could he have fathered this child, AND kept it a secret from her? Dealing with such a claim would be difficult and trying enough in America. But now she finds herself in a city where she does not understand the language, culture or customs, and must rely on strangers to help her. Her planned article on Sam Liang is the only area where she can feel somewhat normal as a journalist, researching her subject and crafting the written portrait. They are both surprised to find in one another an ally and friend, and they nurture one another with food, with understanding, with encouragement and with hope.
Mones deftly combines Sam’s story with Maggie’s, and with the tradition and history of Chinese cuisine, philosophy, culture and dining. The descriptions of the menus and dishes are nothing short of delicious – a sensory feast of tastes, sounds, smells, textures, and visual images. Just as much attention is paid to developing these characters; Mones reveals them a little at a time allowing the reader to get to know them as they deal with various disappointments and unexpected joys. There were a few times when Mones switched narrators that momentarily confused me, but it didn’t take long to understand where she was going with these sections, and then appreciate how they contributed to developing the characters and story. Take your time reading it – savor every page.
auntsarah's review
informative
medium-paced
5.0
I enjoyed the book within the book and learning about the intersection between Chinese cuisine and poetry.
rachelellyn's review
3.0
A nice story. Predictable plot, but I really enjoyed learning about the Chinese culture through food.
pattiecarlin's review
5.0
Beautiful story about a beautiful culture and the struggle to know the truth about yourself and those you love. I laughed, I cried, I was hungry.
brdgtc's review
2.0
When Mones writes about food she is at her best - her plot and character development on the other hand...
roscoehuxley's review
3.0
Recently-widowed Maggie has to head to China to take care of an unexpected detail in her husband's estate. Conveniently, her editor has an assignment she can do while she's there. She is to interview Chinese-American chef, Sam, who is working hard to learn how to cook in China, despite the disapproval of his father.
Nothing too taxing, a perfect winter break read. I did enjoy reading about the food, not knowing anything about true Chinese cooking.
Nothing too taxing, a perfect winter break read. I did enjoy reading about the food, not knowing anything about true Chinese cooking.
sdmomof5boys's review
4.0
I randomly picked this up at the library and really enjoyed it. It was interesting to learn so much about Chinese culture. I really liked how the author intertwined the story with the descriptions of Chinese history and culture and the culinary arts especially. Very good book.