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nmclaury's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn’t totally what I expected, and didn’t compare to a lot of the food-related memoirs I’ve loved. It was basically a long, philosophical essay on hospitality and generosity, and also race, immigration, and humanity. I liked it well enough, and she said a few things that made me stop and appreciate them, but overall I didn’t love it.
jenniecanzoneri's review against another edition
3.0
Some fascinating information on culture and hospitality. But written rather densely.
yooperann's review against another edition
4.0
An extended essay on the meaning of hospitality, both at the dinner table and as a nation. I would have enjoyed a memoir more, but I'm certainly not sorry I read it.
merixcil's review against another edition
3.0
Oh man the author SO NEARLY GETS IT on quite a few occasions. She knows that capitalism is Bad but can't quite let go of the liberal label. This was a fun read, more in the region of fist bumping 'hell yeah I agree' than giving me anything new to work with but her perspective is certainly unique and I appreciate the honesty with which she voices some of her more difficult opinions
janiswong's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
A beautiful reflection on food, community, and giving. I was not expecting intricate interweavings of identity and race within the book. For me, these conversations made the book more enjoyable but I also see how readers may be expecting something else when picking up the book. Perhaps the title does not fully encapsulate the contents of the book.
tracydurnell's review against another edition
A series of short reflections, all flowing into each other, not always perfectly, but always in a way that makes sense for a shift in the train of thought. Ideas, sometimes expressed in a couple hundred words, others in a couple pages. She weaves in reflections on the value of hospitality at a societal level, and what it means to welcome others to our communities, especially when they are different than we are. What are the conditions of our welcome? Is unconditional hospitality possible today? Interesting collection that's short but I liked spreading over several days to let it sink in more.