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A review by thuglibrarian
Jell-O Girls: A Family History by Allie Rowbottom
5.0
This is a unique memoir about the family who bought Jello-O patent & became fab rich and the mysterious ailments that plague them. In 1899, the author's great-great-great-uncle bought the patent for $450 and it changed their family dynamic forever, as it made them rich beyond their dreams. But with the change of social status came the the "Jell-O curse" which has followed the family for generations, and which the author's mother has been trying to write about for years. What is the curse? Readers will have to discover that for themselves.
But to label this book "just a memoir" is a disservice, as it's so much more. Author Allie Rowbottom also follows the history of processed food, (like Jell-O) to show how it untethered women from the drudgery of food preparation and allowed them to pursue their own goals. It's especially fascinating to read how marketing campaigns for Jell-O changed over the years as society changed. This is a wonderful memoir of food, family, wealth and society.
I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
But to label this book "just a memoir" is a disservice, as it's so much more. Author Allie Rowbottom also follows the history of processed food, (like Jell-O) to show how it untethered women from the drudgery of food preparation and allowed them to pursue their own goals. It's especially fascinating to read how marketing campaigns for Jell-O changed over the years as society changed. This is a wonderful memoir of food, family, wealth and society.
I read an advance copy and was not compensated.