A review by caitlinxmartin
In the Kitchen by Monica Ali

2.0

Urk. What to say about this novel ...

The writing is good. The story should be interesting - a chef who is spiraling down into a nervous breakdown, his work in his restaurant kitchen, his interactions with his staff, his family, his girlfriend, a body, human trafficking, cancer ...

Somehow this just all falls flat. It's all sort of bleak, but nondescript - like a bus ride you take to & from work every day. The people on the bus look like they might be interesting & the scenery is okay, but by day 30 or so it's all just one big muddle & you ending up sleeping through it like everybody else. Very disappointing.