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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
inspiring
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
medium-paced
I wish the book had been a little less introspective - even when she’s talking about the hard parts of her life, the amount of analysis and interpretation of the events makes it seem like you are reading through rose tinted glasses. Or at least through very thick glasses. That being said, the topic matter is important and close to my heart and my family (my mom has worked in food service and restaurants for 40 years, including some underpaid baking). It was a quick read and certainly woke my own hunger…
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Interesting memoir about being a mother, a woman, a chef.
I have a brother in the industry, so I am always interested in learning more but this often just seemed scattered to me and all over the place.
I have a brother in the industry, so I am always interested in learning more but this often just seemed scattered to me and all over the place.
One of the most gorgeous memoirs I’ve ever, well, read, yes. But I really want to say experienced, instead. Lisa Donovan takes the reader’s hand and dives with you straight into the deep end of survival and desire. Her stories are particular and specific, but also lush, fragrant, tactile, shimmering. Our Lady of Perpetual Hunger is a love story to women, to family food traditions begun and sustained by women, to complicated lineages, and to the stories women learn to keep to themselves. It’s honest and generous and wise and I’m pretty sure the book itself gives off the scent of fresh masa and yeasty brioche and warm apricots.
I listened to Lisa Donovan read her book on audio, and her low vocal tones and Southern inflections were an extra layer of delight for me. In certain passages, especially near the end and nearly always when describing her daughter, her voice is so emotive and nearly breaks on words of love and longing and I was completely in tears. I look forward to also adding a paper copy to my home library for future rereading and sharing.
I listened to Lisa Donovan read her book on audio, and her low vocal tones and Southern inflections were an extra layer of delight for me. In certain passages, especially near the end and nearly always when describing her daughter, her voice is so emotive and nearly breaks on words of love and longing and I was completely in tears. I look forward to also adding a paper copy to my home library for future rereading and sharing.
Good memoir but great commentary on how broken our service economy is and how it exists by breaking the backs of those who work in it. Read this and then listen to Ezra Klein’s “The Take This Job and Shove It Economy” and I feel like you will understand why no one is showing up to work in 2021....
Well known pastry chef Lisa Donovan shares her personal and professional struggles and triumphs in this deeply personal, well written, emotional memoir. Donovan came from humble beginnings and knows what tough times look like but she had enough grit and determination to pull through those times. Her struggles also touch on social issues that many people can relate to and they brought me to tears. I loved her story and think it would make a great book to discuss.
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape