A third fabulous book about present-day China by Nicole Mones! A widowed American food magazine writer travels to Beijing to interview an outstanding chef, who is competing in a prestigious cooking contest. The writer also needs to learn if her husband has a secret child. Schools of Chinese cookery, historic culinary techniques, and actual dishes are mouth-wateringly described. And the chef's delicate dance with the writer is enhanced by passages from his grandfather's book, "The last Chinese chef." Wonderful!
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The outward spiral of the life of wealthy, neurotic Richard Novak begins when he sees a hole developing in his yard and feels that he is dying of "pain." As the hole enlarges, his small circle widens to include a weepy housewife, a movie star neighbor, the Indian proprietor of a doughnut shop, a reclusive author, and Richard's own estranged son. Laugh-out-loud hilarious and poignant at the same time. I loved it!
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Dense, but clear, prose describes the angst of three thirtyish New Yorkers--Marina, the dilletante daughter of a pundit; Danielle, a documentary film producer; and Julius, a caustic film reviewer. All are casting about for more meaning--or better living conditions--and further complications appear by way of journalist Ludo, Marina's father Murray, and Marina's young, confused cousin, Frederick.
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Joan Bregger has commented on (3) products.
The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Mones
Joan Bregger, June 22, 2008
A third fabulous book about present-day China by Nicole Mones! A widowed American food magazine writer travels to Beijing to interview an outstanding chef, who is competing in a prestigious cooking contest. The writer also needs to learn if her husband has a secret child. Schools of Chinese cookery, historic culinary techniques, and actual dishes are mouth-wateringly described. And the chef's delicate dance with the writer is enhanced by passages from his grandfather's book, "The last Chinese chef." Wonderful!(1 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
This Book Will Save Your Life by A. M. Homes
Joan Bregger, February 14, 2008
The outward spiral of the life of wealthy, neurotic Richard Novak begins when he sees a hole developing in his yard and feels that he is dying of "pain." As the hole enlarges, his small circle widens to include a weepy housewife, a movie star neighbor, the Indian proprietor of a doughnut shop, a reclusive author, and Richard's own estranged son. Laugh-out-loud hilarious and poignant at the same time. I loved it!(2 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud
Joan Bregger, May 31, 2007
Dense, but clear, prose describes the angst of three thirtyish New Yorkers--Marina, the dilletante daughter of a pundit; Danielle, a documentary film producer; and Julius, a caustic film reviewer. All are casting about for more meaning--or better living conditions--and further complications appear by way of journalist Ludo, Marina's father Murray, and Marina's young, confused cousin, Frederick.(8 of 15 readers found this comment helpful)