A review by katiez624
Savor: A Chef's Hunger for More by Fatima Ali

5.0

Fatima is inspiring, courageous, and incredibly resilient. Her story is filled with triumphs and tribulations. We hear the story from the perspectives of Fatima and her mother, two remarkably able and strong women making a life for themselves. The alternating perspectives provide a well-rounded narrative of difficult situations and the incredible bond between mother and daughter is evident. Fatima's ambition and drive are deeply inspiring and the accomplishments she was able to achieve in her abbreviated lifetime are astounding. The chapters about her health struggles are heart-wrenching, but her lively spirit permeates every painful side effect she had to endure. The love of her family and her own passion for food never wavers.

This book reminded me so much of another memoir focused acutely on Pakistani life and food, [b:Fatty Fatty Boom Boom: A Memoir of Food, Fat, and Family|59892260|Fatty Fatty Boom Boom A Memoir of Food, Fat, and Family|Rabia Chaudry|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1653065920l/59892260._SY75_.jpg|94307446]. In both memoirs, the descriptions of food are vivid and mouth-watering, and the rich cultural context is incredibly compelling. The writing is so well-done, and both Farezeh and Fatima are extraordinarily articulate. [a:Tarajia Morrell|20006650|Tarajia Morrell|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]'s contributions were woven in seamlessly, and the collaboration was done remarkably well.

Fatima is an inspiration and she will be remembered for the exceptional woman she was.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for my ARC.