Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Love & Saffron: A Novel of Friendship, Food, and Love by Kim Fay

13 reviews

nicolelovesbooks's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

4.75

This was a delightful and quick read. I was immediately captivated by the epistolary banter between Joan and Imogen as their friendship grew. The food was a wonderful element in their letters and the story. The insights about the time period were very enlightening though not at all didactic. 

Loved this line:
“There is unequaled satisfaction in composing words on a blank page, sealing them in an envelope, writing an address in my own messy hand, adding a stamp, walking it to the mailbox, and raising the flag. It’s like preparing a gift, and I feel like I receive one when a letter arrives— yours most of all.”
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eesti23's review

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emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

"'When shall we live, if not now?' Apparently, this is a quote from an ancient Roman named Seneca."

"The less we cement ourselves to our certainties, the fuller our lives can be."

Love & Saffron: A Novel of Friendship, Food, and Love isn't a super long book, but it doesn't take you long to get to know Joan (27) and Imogen "Immy" (59) who become pen friends based on their love of food. Different in many ways, their
sharing of communal (Cuban missile crisis, assassination of JFK) and personal (unmarried pregnancy and cancer) experiences bond them for life. I loved when Immy went to see John (and Mateo) and Joan named her baby after Immy. There is a sad ending with a hint of happiness.


A touching story and sweet friendship. I enjoyed it.
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coric's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

 
This charming story is a literal love letter to friendship and food. I adored everything about this story from the timing (early 1960’s) to the places (primarily Seattle and Washington) to the unique and likeable main characters. Imogen and Joan complement each other in the best possible ways without either one outshining or dominating the other. As an epistolary story, it reminds us of the magic of letter writing and how it allows time for thoughtfulness and sometimes the ability to share our innermost thoughts that we could never give voice to otherwise. If this doesn’t bring letter writing back, I don’t know what will! The exploration of food and culture is the perfect way to remind all of us that taking risks and trying new things can be some of the best ways to bring richness to our lives. 

 
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