A review by serendipitysbooks
Love & Saffron: A Novel of Friendship, Food, and Love by Kim Fay

emotional lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

 
I’m not sure why but I’ve got a real soft spot for epistolary novels. Something about the way characters are able to carefully choose what to reveal about themselves? Or because I carried out a long distance friendship and a long distance romance via letter? No internet or cellphone back in the day. Whatever the reason I decided epistolary novels might be just the thing to lift me out of my recent despondent mood.

My first pick was Love & Saffron and it was exactly what I wanted and needed it to be. I loved the personalities of Joan and Imogen - jaunty, curious, vivacious and slightly snarky. In that regard it reminded me of a couple of my all time favourites - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and 84 Charing Cross Road. I loved the focus on intergenerational friendship. I loved that the two women shared book and food recommendations. As their friendship deepened their letters became more intimate and personal and they shared some of the tougher issues they were facing or had dealt with in their lives - an unplanned pregnancy, PTSD, an interracial relationship, cancer, infertility. This is a book that made me laugh, but it also made me cry. I loved it. 
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