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gabizago's review
5.0
This is a lovely story loosely inspired by real life that talks about cooking and cooking books back in the 1800s when women weren’t allowed to be cooks and the books had basically no structure to them. So Miss Eliza, an unmarried poet, decides to write a cooking book using a better and more precise language. This is actually pretty interesting, and reminded me a lot of the tv show Downton Abbey. Chapters alternate the point of view of Eliza, and Ann, her apprentice.
kittenwitch's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
smalltownbookmom's review
4.0
Based on the real life of Eliza Acton, a British poetess who teamed up with a kitchen maid to write one of the foremost cookery books in England. This is a story of female friendship, women's role in Victorian society and the differences between the classes.
Told in alternating perspectives from Eliza and her maid, Ann Kirby, we get to know what life was like for each of these women. Ann's story in particular is one of hardship as she is forced to work to help support her disabled father and her mentally ill mother who has been institutionalized.
Highly recommended for fans of upstairs/downstairs stories, Downton Abbey, The kitchen front or Julie and Julia. I loved learning about Eliza's multi-faceted life and the challenges she faced trying to publish her work as a woman and the passion she found for cooking and creating recipes that would be more practical for the average cook. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ALC!
Told in alternating perspectives from Eliza and her maid, Ann Kirby, we get to know what life was like for each of these women. Ann's story in particular is one of hardship as she is forced to work to help support her disabled father and her mentally ill mother who has been institutionalized.
Highly recommended for fans of upstairs/downstairs stories, Downton Abbey, The kitchen front or Julie and Julia. I loved learning about Eliza's multi-faceted life and the challenges she faced trying to publish her work as a woman and the passion she found for cooking and creating recipes that would be more practical for the average cook. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ALC!
catmom22's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? Yes
4.5
andreagraves5's review
3.0
I was really enjoying this book: the characters, the plot, the way society and social classes worked in the 1800’s in England. The plot, the detail in which she describes the recipes and cooking was lovely.
Then the ending came. It felt like the author had been building up to it and then just lost interest and ended it. I was disappointed in the ending.
Then the ending came. It felt like the author had been building up to it and then just lost interest and ended it. I was disappointed in the ending.
colorfulleo92's review
4.0
This had a completely different cover and a different title in my book app but it has the same author and blurb. The blurb intrigued me and I wasn't disappointed more happily surprised as it was better than expected