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Reviews tagging 'Abortion'
Love & Saffron: A Novel of Friendship, Food, and Love by Kim Fay
11 reviews
kelseymcg20's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Infertility, Death, Cancer, and Grief
aksmith92's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Cheers to a cute little palette cleanser (kinda?!).
The setup: The book opens with Joan Bergstrom sending fan mail to Imogen Fortier, a 59-year-old woman who writes a monthly column for Pacific Northwest magazine. Imogen lives on Camano Island in Washington outside of Seattle and has lovely things to say about the water, sunset, and oysters. Joan loves this, as she is an aspiring journalist, so she takes it upon herself to write a letter to Imogen with a bit of gift: saffron.
From there, Imogen and Joan begin a beautiful friendship—mainly through wonderful letters back and forth. The letters start in the year 1962, so in their beginning letters, as they get to know each other, we see them grapple with some women's issues, Kennedy's assassination, and the civil rights movement. As their friendship deepens, we see them writing secrets and tales they haven't told anyone. However, their letters mainly include recipes and other foods worth trying. Joan talks about Saffron, and Imogen talks about oysters. Joan takes an interest in local Mexican cuisine since she lives and works in Los Angeles, and she sends the recipes to Imogen for her to try. Imogen loves them all and even shares with Joan that her husband is interested in cooking because of the recipes (WILD for the early 1960s, am I right?!).
We walk through Joan and Imogen's few years together and see a lovely friendship form between two women you likely wouldn't have thought of: a 27-year-old city-loving woman and a 59-year-old columnist who loves her tiny island home.
What I loved: What a great premise! To write a book solely (well, 98%) in letter form was a great take. I'm sure it's been done before, but I haven't read anything like it. Somehow, even though it was just through letters, I felt the relationship and friendship between Joan and Imogen while still learning about them individually. It was fantastic to see the historical complexities of the time weaved in (although brief since this was a short-ish book) and how those impacted the two women. We watched them overcome various challenges, obstacles, and heartache. This was such a cute read, and I loved the recipes involved. Make sure to read the book's ending for a course meal to try! It simply was a feel-good story about an unconventional friendship.
What would have made it five stars? I think we missed some critical individual character development for Imogen. It felt like the story began to focus on Francis, her husband, which I could appreciate for the time, but I wanted more about her. I think we got that with Joan, but then Imogen became a little "parent-y" regarding Joan's life. It wasn't a big deal, but I walked away wanting more from Imogen's character. Thankfully, in the end, we got to read a column from the Pacific Northwest that Imogen wrote, which was nice! This takes place in the 1960s, so there was an element of historical context to this for sure, but I did find it a bit odd that two white women were constantly talking about Mexican food and food from other countries and then somehow profiting from it through their jobs. I wish that were fleshed out more to talk about that irony.
Regardless, this was a cute read, albeit the ending is sad.
The setup: The book opens with Joan Bergstrom sending fan mail to Imogen Fortier, a 59-year-old woman who writes a monthly column for Pacific Northwest magazine. Imogen lives on Camano Island in Washington outside of Seattle and has lovely things to say about the water, sunset, and oysters. Joan loves this, as she is an aspiring journalist, so she takes it upon herself to write a letter to Imogen with a bit of gift: saffron.
From there, Imogen and Joan begin a beautiful friendship—mainly through wonderful letters back and forth. The letters start in the year 1962, so in their beginning letters, as they get to know each other, we see them grapple with some women's issues, Kennedy's assassination, and the civil rights movement. As their friendship deepens, we see them writing secrets and tales they haven't told anyone. However, their letters mainly include recipes and other foods worth trying. Joan talks about Saffron, and Imogen talks about oysters. Joan takes an interest in local Mexican cuisine since she lives and works in Los Angeles, and she sends the recipes to Imogen for her to try. Imogen loves them all and even shares with Joan that her husband is interested in cooking because of the recipes (WILD for the early 1960s, am I right?!).
We walk through Joan and Imogen's few years together and see a lovely friendship form between two women you likely wouldn't have thought of: a 27-year-old city-loving woman and a 59-year-old columnist who loves her tiny island home.
What I loved: What a great premise! To write a book solely (well, 98%) in letter form was a great take. I'm sure it's been done before, but I haven't read anything like it. Somehow, even though it was just through letters, I felt the relationship and friendship between Joan and Imogen while still learning about them individually. It was fantastic to see the historical complexities of the time weaved in (although brief since this was a short-ish book) and how those impacted the two women. We watched them overcome various challenges, obstacles, and heartache. This was such a cute read, and I loved the recipes involved. Make sure to read the book's ending for a course meal to try! It simply was a feel-good story about an unconventional friendship.
What would have made it five stars? I think we missed some critical individual character development for Imogen. It felt like the story began to focus on Francis, her husband, which I could appreciate for the time, but I wanted more about her. I think we got that with Joan, but then Imogen became a little "parent-y" regarding Joan's life. It wasn't a big deal, but I walked away wanting more from Imogen's character. Thankfully, in the end, we got to read a column from the Pacific Northwest that Imogen wrote, which was nice! This takes place in the 1960s, so there was an element of historical context to this for sure, but I did find it a bit odd that two white women were constantly talking about Mexican food and food from other countries and then somehow profiting from it through their jobs. I wish that were fleshed out more to talk about that irony.
Regardless, this was a cute read, albeit the ending is sad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Cancer, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Abortion
Minor: Sexism and Misogyny
Abortion is not completed but implied/talked about.joyfromhope's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is an enjoyable story about two women who find that special kind of friendship where you feel safe to say anything and find only support and comfort. I wish I could read all of Imogene's columns.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion
shutupiamreading's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Heartwarming, sad, emotional, reflective. This book does so much with only 170 pages. I'm a big fan of epistolary novels and this book is such a good of example of how to do it well. This felt like a big, warm hug from your best friend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Abortion, Death, and Racism
twistykris's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I simply adored this book. I read it in less than 24 hours and was absolutely enthralled by the soothing, comforting, and often funny letters these two women wrote each other. Lots of talks of food, friendship, and adventures. A wonderful palate cleanser and a quick, darling read that makes me want to cook and write letters to dear friends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Medical content, Death, and Cancer
Moderate: Racism and Pregnancy
Minor: Abandonment, War, Abortion, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, and Classism
amtaylor's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Abortion, Cancer, and Mental illness
bubblegirl858's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-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
5.0
This book captured me from the first page and kept me reading, laughing, and crying throughout the whole book. I cannot adequately express how much I enjoyed this book. It was a very short read, but it was able to so beautifully capture the lives of two women with real problems, living their lives to the fullest through food and connections. The author did such an amazing job developing their friendship through correspondence. I can understand how reading a story in letter form is not everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoyed hearing the character's voices through the words that they wrote and exploring the culinary world with them through their letters to each other. If you don't finish this book wanting to move to a new city to start a garden, live off the land, and become an expert in a specific regional cooking style, then you have read it wrong. This book is about hope, joy, and the ability of people to change, and grow. It is about connecting to yourself, and to others, and finding new connections through food, which in my opinion is the best kind of book. This was set in the '60s with the main characters being two white women, and written in the early 2000s by a white woman, so there is one use of problematic language, descriptions of violent and tragic times in American history, and it exhibits very old-fashioned views on unwed women who are pregnant, that the main characters do not sympathize with, but just as a trigger warning for anyone reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Medical content, and Cancer
Moderate: War, Racism, Death, Misogyny, and Abortion
ashleegracexo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
4.0
I really did love this book. I wanted to be friends with the main characters. The plot twist took me by surprise even though I knew it was coming really. Great book, I devoured it in a few hours. Only not 5 star because I wanted more!!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death
Moderate: Racism and Abortion
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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
4.75
I’m not sure why but I’ve got a real soft spot for epistolary novels. Something about the way characters are able to carefully choose what to reveal about themselves? Or because I carried out a long distance friendship and a long distance romance via letter? No internet or cellphone back in the day. Whatever the reason I decided epistolary novels might be just the thing to lift me out of my recent despondent mood.
My first pick was Love & Saffron and it was exactly what I wanted and needed it to be. I loved the personalities of Joan and Imogen - jaunty, curious, vivacious and slightly snarky. In that regard it reminded me of a couple of my all time favourites - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and 84 Charing Cross Road. I loved the focus on intergenerational friendship. I loved that the two women shared book and food recommendations. As their friendship deepened their letters became more intimate and personal and they shared some of the tougher issues they were facing or had dealt with in their lives - an unplanned pregnancy, PTSD, an interracial relationship, cancer, infertility. This is a book that made me laugh, but it also made me cry. I loved it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Death
Minor: Infertility and Abortion
kristinecircenis's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the digital ARC to review.
A delightful story of friendship that blooms during the 1960s through letters. Immy and Joans bond grows, like so many modern friendships, through food. I really enjoyed watching their friendship deepen even in times of uncertainty and sadness.
CW: discussions of abortion, medical content, death
A delightful story of friendship that blooms during the 1960s through letters. Immy and Joans bond grows, like so many modern friendships, through food. I really enjoyed watching their friendship deepen even in times of uncertainty and sadness.
CW: discussions of abortion, medical content, death
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Medical content, and Abortion