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A review by drifterontherun
A Moveable Feast by Matthew Fort, Lonely Planet, Stefan Gates
5.0
This is one of the best short story collections I've ever had the pleasure of reading - and it's from Lonely Planet! The unifying theme here, in case you couldn't tell by the title, is food, so what we have is an assortment of 38 stories - or courses - of culinary experiences from around the world.
Naturally, every short story collection is going to feature stories that range in quality, and that's no different here. The weakest story probably comes from Anthony Bourdain, whose inclusion is shouted about on the green sticker adorning the top right of the page. His story is only two pages, and, were he not Anthony Bourdain, I am quite certain it wouldn't have been included at all. But his name sells books, so there it is. But I didn't mind, because there are more than enough great stories here to make up for the odd misfire.
It's hard to say exactly which story I enjoyed the most. It might have been "The 'Cue Quest", about a father and son's mission to find the best barbecue joint in the midwest, or perhaps "Long Live the King", a story of a particularly pungent fruit found on an island in the Western Pacific. But let's not forget "Siberian Chicken", "The Scent of Love", or "Tijuana Terroir" all of which moved me in ways beyond just stimulating my appetite. And, of course, "Mango Madness", "Peanut Butter Summer", and "Breakfast Epiphanies", all of which made for delicious reading! "Speciality of the House" and "The Icing on the Japanese Cake" are both hilarious stories of adopting a "just say 'yes'" philosophy while traveling, and - oh, forget it. Better just read them all!
While the unifying here may be food, it's also love - of travel, of discovery, and of life. This wonderful collection will bring a smile to your face, in addition to a craving to your belly.
Naturally, every short story collection is going to feature stories that range in quality, and that's no different here. The weakest story probably comes from Anthony Bourdain, whose inclusion is shouted about on the green sticker adorning the top right of the page. His story is only two pages, and, were he not Anthony Bourdain, I am quite certain it wouldn't have been included at all. But his name sells books, so there it is. But I didn't mind, because there are more than enough great stories here to make up for the odd misfire.
It's hard to say exactly which story I enjoyed the most. It might have been "The 'Cue Quest", about a father and son's mission to find the best barbecue joint in the midwest, or perhaps "Long Live the King", a story of a particularly pungent fruit found on an island in the Western Pacific. But let's not forget "Siberian Chicken", "The Scent of Love", or "Tijuana Terroir" all of which moved me in ways beyond just stimulating my appetite. And, of course, "Mango Madness", "Peanut Butter Summer", and "Breakfast Epiphanies", all of which made for delicious reading! "Speciality of the House" and "The Icing on the Japanese Cake" are both hilarious stories of adopting a "just say 'yes'" philosophy while traveling, and - oh, forget it. Better just read them all!
While the unifying here may be food, it's also love - of travel, of discovery, and of life. This wonderful collection will bring a smile to your face, in addition to a craving to your belly.