(c) 2003 W. W. Norton and Co, Inc
4.5 Stars
This is something of a divergence for me. I don't usually read love stories, and I don't usually read things set in the present day (another flight of fancy was "The Bronze Horseman" another excellent read). This book caught my eye. Mostly because I was at my uncle's house and had nothing to read and found this on a table.
There are some reviews I found on amazon that rave about the portrayal of Iraqis, which I find interesting because that wasn't the tone I picked up from it. I read it as part of the family I guess, my family was half Arab growing up and we went to a lot of dinners and gatherings. Which is I think what really brought me to this book. The food. the lovely descriptions of the food. In the same way that I watched "Waitress" for the pie. Also, I think I associated the main character's uncle with my own. Or maybe the kind of uncle I hope to be someday. Full of old stories and mystery.
The middle of the plots drags, so you really have to be in love with the story before that point or you will never make it. I found that easy enough though. I was content to simply drift through the lives of the characters in what was a lull of their lives. Learn recipes and hear simple stories of life. The richness of the descriptions allow you to exist there in California with them.
Also the association with food and sensuality, while not a new idea, is told beautifully in a way that will make you want to cook or make love, or both. A fantastic read, give it a whirl!
4.5 Stars
This is something of a divergence for me. I don't usually read love stories, and I don't usually read things set in the present day (another flight of fancy was "The Bronze Horseman" another excellent read). This book caught my eye. Mostly because I was at my uncle's house and had nothing to read and found this on a table.
There are some reviews I found on amazon that rave about the portrayal of Iraqis, which I find interesting because that wasn't the tone I picked up from it. I read it as part of the family I guess, my family was half Arab growing up and we went to a lot of dinners and gatherings. Which is I think what really brought me to this book. The food. the lovely descriptions of the food. In the same way that I watched "Waitress" for the pie. Also, I think I associated the main character's uncle with my own. Or maybe the kind of uncle I hope to be someday. Full of old stories and mystery.
The middle of the plots drags, so you really have to be in love with the story before that point or you will never make it. I found that easy enough though. I was content to simply drift through the lives of the characters in what was a lull of their lives. Learn recipes and hear simple stories of life. The richness of the descriptions allow you to exist there in California with them.
Also the association with food and sensuality, while not a new idea, is told beautifully in a way that will make you want to cook or make love, or both. A fantastic read, give it a whirl!
