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Trade Paperback
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9780143109419
Overview
Overview
"A sweet and savory treat." --People
"An impressive feat of narrative jujitsu . . . that keeps readers turning the pages too fast to realize just how ingenious they are."--The New York Times Book Review, Editor's PickFrom the New York Times bestselling author of The Lager Queen of Minnesota, Kitchens of the Great Midwest is a novel about a young woman with a once-in-a-generation palate who becomes the iconic chef behind the country's most coveted dinner reservation. When Lars Thorvald's wife, Cynthia, falls in love with wine--and a dashing sommelier--he's left to raise their baby, Eva, on his own. He's determined to pass on his love of food to his daughter--starting with pur ed pork shoulder. As Eva grows, she finds her solace and salvation in the flavors of her native Minnesota. From Scandinavian lutefisk to hydroponic chocolate habaneros, each ingredient represents one part of Eva's journey as she becomes the star chef behind a legendary and secretive pop-up supper club, culminating in an opulent and emotional feast that's a testament to her spirit and resilience. Each chapter in J. Ryan Stradal's startlingly original debut tells the story of a single dish and character, at once capturing the zeitgeist of the Midwest, the rise of foodie culture, and delving into the ways food creates community and a sense of identity. By turns quirky, hilarious, and vividly sensory, Kitchens of the Great Midwest is an unexpected mother-daughter story about the bittersweet nature of life--its missed opportunities and its joyful surprises. It marks the entry of a brilliant new talent.
- Format: TradePaperback
- Author: Stradal, J. Ryan
- ISBN: 9780143109419
- Condition: Used
- Dimensions: 7.80 x 0.60
- Number Of Pages: 336
- Publication Year: 2016
Customer Reviews
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5 ★
67%
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3 Ratings
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A life told through the view of others.
Kristen B. - 4 years 10 months agoKitchens of the Great Midwest is told as a combination of short stories about foodies who all have one thing in common a connection to Eva. We see Eva all throughout her life from birth to old age through the lives of others. From the very beginning of her life, Eva's father was constantly introducing her to new and interesting tastes, far beyond what her young palate should have been eating. As a result, Eva grew up loving food particularly new and unusual tastes which eventually leads her to become a chef. Don't be disoriented by the quick changes from chapter to chapter, but instead see the new chapter as an opportunity to get to know someone new. Stradal does a great job of creating these characters and making you care about what happens to them. Throughout these small snapshots of other people's lives, we see how Eva became a master chef, without being overwhelmed by her story. Highly recommended for foodies as well as people who love a good story with rich and complex characters.
HPB Staff Review -
"Perfection cannot be experienced...the work of brilliant people like Eva makes people doubt that for just a moment."
Jennifer N. - 5 years 11 months agoAs an undomestic goddess, culinary fiction is not my forte. As a Midwesterner, I prefer to venture beyond the borders of my known world. But compelled by the charming cover and its choice as a book club selection, I set aside my preconceived notions and J. Ryan Stadal’s Kitchens of the Great Midwest defied my expectations and drew me in. In true Midwest style, the novel serves up a potluck of short stories of seemingly disparate dishes/lives, collected and connected by the common table of main character Eva Thorvald. Each chapter, named for a single dish, tells the story of a different character while also expressing Eva’s character development. Lutefisk describes her birth, love from her father, and abandonment by her mother. Chocolate Habanero describes her preadolescent experience being raised by her aunt and uncle and being bullied at school. Sweet Pepper Jelly describes her weekend escape stay with her college age cousin in Chicago. Walleye describes her first date and introduction to the foodie culture, Golden Bantam describes her venture into what evolves into a legendary and exclusive pop-up supper club, Venison describes her intersection with the quintessential deer hunting tradition as well as the loss of a mother to cancer, Bars describes the quintessential Lutheran tradition and how the bitter taste of jealousy can alchemize into sweet friendship. The novel culminates in The Dinner, an opulent and emotional feast that brings the Eva’s story full circle in an unexpected mother-daughter reunion. “The world where great and heavenly things like this can exist is only possible because everything cannot be known and perfection cannot be experienced. But the work of brilliant people like Eva makes people doubt that for just a moment.” Kitchens of the Great Midwest is a testament to the bittersweet nature of life—its missed opportunities and its joyful surprises--one zeitgeist’s spirit and resilience. A five jalapeno read!
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Great kitchens of the Midwest
Calleen D. - 6 years 4 months agoI loved it so much I bought 3 for gifts. It is my midwestern family to a tee