Literary Gastronomy

The Hundred Foot Journey By Richard C Morais Scribner 2010 First published 2008 Also available on DVD This is a charming story of “culture clash” , when a young Indian chef, Hassan, crosses paths with a staunch matriarch, Marguerite, in a small village in France. “Food is memories” Hassan Kadam Marguerite- “ five mother sauces .You must find them in your heart .Then bring them to your pots. That’s the secret.”

Alice’s adventures in Wonderland : 150 th Anniversary Food in Literature and Culture : Volume 1 By Lewis Carroll London UK Vintage Publishing 1 October 2015 Food features throughout Alice in Wonderland. For example, the mad hatter’s tea party.This book is a celebration of the food in Alice books. This book features: A biography of Lewis Carroll 10 tea party recipes A look at the role that food plays in the Alice books as well as the role that food played in the Victorian Era A complete bibliography of all the research behind the food in literature. A must for “foodies” ,Alice in Wonderland fans and those interested in history. This information is referenced from the website. The story of Alice in Wonderland is a classic and revolves around Alice who falls down a rabbit hole and to whom all sorts of incidents occur. Its relevance to this blog is that a book specifically about the 150th anniversary food in literature and culture has been published.

Like water for Chocolate By Laura Esquivel Translated by Carol and Thomas Christensen London Black Swan 1993 Also available on DVD This is an exquisite novel revolving around a love story. Tita, the youngest daughter of the family,is duty bound to look after her mother til her mother dies. She is forbidden to marry due to Mexican tradition. Each chapter we are greeted with a culinary delight from Mexico. “perhaps I am as sensitive to onions as Tita,my great aunt, who will go on living as long as there is someone who cooks her recipes”

The Joy Luck Club By Amy Tan Minerva ed. London Minerva 1990 Copyright 1989 Also available on DVD This is a beautifully interwoven story of 4 mothers and their daughters that crosses cultural lines and personal journeys. When the joy luck club meets, each host provides a delicious ,mouth-watering meal. “the week before she died, she called me ,full of pride, full of life. Auntie Lin cooked red bean soup for joy luck . I’m going to cook black sesame seed soup” “my father hasn’t eaten well since my mother died.So I am here in the kitchen to cook him dinner. I’m slicing tofu .I’ve decided to make him a spicy bean curd dish .My mother used to tell me how hot things restore the spirit and health. But I’m making this mostly because I know my father loves this dish and I know how to cook it.I like the smell of it:ginger, scallions , and a red chili sauce that tickles my nose the minute I open the jar.”

To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee Philadelphia PA: Lippincott 1960 This novel explores racism and prejudice in Southern USA when Atticus Finch defends a black man accused of rape. This novel also explores family relationships in particular the young Scout’s relationship with her father. Its characters can be seen to be complex.Its tone is bittersweet and thoughtprovoking “ the kitchen table was loaded with enough food to bury the family : hunks of salt pork, tomatoes, beans even scuppernongs..” And “the black community of the town bring gifts of food, to thank Atticus for his sincere defence of Tom”

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café By Fannie Flagg New York Random House 1987 Made into a movie entitled : Fried Green Tomatoes This is a heart warming tale of a friendship between an older woman, Mrs Threadgoode and a younger woman,Evelyn, interwoven with recipes and stories of fried green tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café in Southern USA. “I may be sitting here at the rose terrace nursing home but in my mind I’m over at the Whistle stop café having a plate of fried green tomatoes.” Mrs Threadgoode