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A review by katiez624
On the Noodle Road: From Beijing to Rome, with Love and Pasta by Jen Lin-Liu
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
This is the second book in which Lin-Liu embarks on an adventure and documents her journey to learn about something food-related. Her writing style is straightforward and easy to read. Food history is fascinating to me, particularly in China, and this book is chock full of it. I loved reading about the food culture in various parts of China, especially in the lesser-known Western regions. Central Asia is a part of the world that not many Westerners know about. Lin-Liu includes history lessons about the various regions she visits and their specific role on the Silk Road trading route.
I can see how Lin-Liu's tone may come off as entitled and patronizing. I was surprised at the lack of attempt that was made to remain unbiased, especially considering her journalistic background. But that did not detract from her storytelling, and I enjoyed reading about the sumptuous descriptions of food throughout the book. She commonly compares the food she encounters with ones she is familiar with and it can seem like she is disparaging these lesser-known cuisines. Nevertheless, she attempts to keep an open mind and objective stance when reporting on her experiences in her travels.
This is the second book in which Lin-Liu embarks on an adventure and documents her journey to learn about something food-related. Her writing style is straightforward and easy to read. Food history is fascinating to me, particularly in China, and this book is chock full of it. I loved reading about the food culture in various parts of China, especially in the lesser-known Western regions. Central Asia is a part of the world that not many Westerners know about. Lin-Liu includes history lessons about the various regions she visits and their specific role on the Silk Road trading route.
I can see how Lin-Liu's tone may come off as entitled and patronizing. I was surprised at the lack of attempt that was made to remain unbiased, especially considering her journalistic background. But that did not detract from her storytelling, and I enjoyed reading about the sumptuous descriptions of food throughout the book. She commonly compares the food she encounters with ones she is familiar with and it can seem like she is disparaging these lesser-known cuisines. Nevertheless, she attempts to keep an open mind and objective stance when reporting on her experiences in her travels.