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storytimed's review
4.0
Cute food memoir! Love the tales of Singaporean cooking, could do with a little less family history.
heatherinjapan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
I really enjoyed this memoir! It was written so well! It also makes you sit back an think about the author's background. You could tell that she was going through a process of facing her own privilege and her identity. While there were times where I was thinking, that's definitely something a rich person would say or do, there were also plenty of times where she faced her own family's history of poverty and strife and that she really has benefited from the hard work of her family.
I do find it funny or just interesting that all of the women that she's learning to cook from are only home cooks, albeit some of them famous locally for their talents, but all the male cooks she talks to and learns from are like Michelin star chefs... It really shows that even though women/AFAB people can cook the most delicious meals, they don't get the same amount of recognition as the men who cook, even if they're more mid.
I do find it funny or just interesting that all of the women that she's learning to cook from are only home cooks, albeit some of them famous locally for their talents, but all the male cooks she talks to and learns from are like Michelin star chefs... It really shows that even though women/AFAB people can cook the most delicious meals, they don't get the same amount of recognition as the men who cook, even if they're more mid.
kisaly's review
2.0
Great to read about Singaporean food, but the book was disjointed and Tan wasn't meant to be a food writer - she lost me when she started talking about how she didn't want to ruin her manicure while cooking.
cmbohn's review
4.0
I have almost nothing in common with the Singapore writer of this book. I married young, started my family early, and both my husband and I have Southern roots. But like her, food is a big part of my family tradition. Reading her journey to discovery her culinary heritage reminded me of the big family traditions we had back in Texas and the meals I enjoyed at my grandparents homes. It also made me a little hungry, but not super hungry, because I'm not quite sure I wanted to sample all these recipes! But it was a great, funny, enlightening read. What dedication her family had! What love put into food!
Thanks to the LT Early Reviewers program for the chance to read this book.
Thanks to the LT Early Reviewers program for the chance to read this book.
bookbrig's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.5
I looooooved this book. Her descriptions of food are mouth-watering, and the story of her family is super interesting. I only wish there were photos included, as so many of the dishes were unfamiliar to me. I will definitely have to spend some time Googling around to learn more.
I also wanted recipes for pretty much everything she describes, since her writing makes it all sound so delicious. The recipes at the end are great; I just wanted more!
*This is my Food Memoir chioce for the Read Harder challenge*
I also wanted recipes for pretty much everything she describes, since her writing makes it all sound so delicious. The recipes at the end are great; I just wanted more!
*This is my Food Memoir chioce for the Read Harder challenge*
ralovesbooks's review
3.0
Would recommend: Yes
So, I liked this. My only quibble was that I expected the narrative to be more tightly focused on food, so I didn't enjoy the parts where the author investigated her family history as much. I think that's personal preference, though, and I will probably buy this for my mom for Christmas.
So, I liked this. My only quibble was that I expected the narrative to be more tightly focused on food, so I didn't enjoy the parts where the author investigated her family history as much. I think that's personal preference, though, and I will probably buy this for my mom for Christmas.
krisis86's review
1.0
I made it to page 147. This book might have been interesting if it had had any action at all. I was just really bored. The stories about the food were weak at best and I have to admit, I'm not interested in Singaporean culture/cuisine.
hweezbooks's review
4.0
I have always love Cheryl Tan's writing and so I read her first book and enjoyed her journey tremendously. If I were to be objective - yes, I think it was disconnected in some places. But it depends on what you expect from the book if, after all, it is a memoir, then it does have to take a journey through her (disconnected) thoughts. I think this book is still a commendable effort and I can only think that with more experience, she will do a lot more in inspiring through her writing. At any rate, I bought this book together with Amy Chua's "other" Tiger book and I found Cheryl much more focussed, grounded, and in touch with herself!