beckethm 's review for:

Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal
3.0

This was an entertaining vacation read, with lots of Minnesota color. [b: Kitchens of the Great Midwest|23398625|Kitchens of the Great Midwest|J. Ryan Stradal|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1428066565s/23398625.jpg|42955214] is more accurately a collection of linked stories rather than a novel, and as in most books of this type, some stories are more enjoyable than others. The tale of Pat Prager, the small-town home cook who enters her county fair award-winning bars in an upscale baking contest, was a wonderful tongue-in-cheek critique of foodie culture. A few of the other stories, though, had only a tenuous connection to the central plot and themes.

As the book progresses, the stories move farther away from the ostensible central character, Eva. This disappointed me, as she is a captivating figure. I wish the author would have kept the focus on her.

For a few hours' light reading, this is a fine book. Just don't go into it expecting coherence.