Synopses & Reviews
Gretchen Lin, adrift at the age of thirty, leaves her floundering marriage in San Francisco to move back to her childhood home in Singapore and immediately finds herself face-to-face with the twin headaches shes avoided her entire adult life: her mothers drinking problem and the machinations of her fathers artisanal soy sauce business.
Surrounded by family, Gretchen struggles with the tension between personal ambition and filial duty, but still finds time to explore a new romance with the son of a client, an attractive man of few words. When an old American friend comes to town, the two of them are pulled into the controversy surrounding Gretchens cousin, the only male grandchild and the heir apparent to Lins Soy Sauce. In the midst of increasing pressure from her father to remain permanently in Singapore—and pressure from her mother to do just the opposite—Gretchen must decide whether she will return to her marriage and her graduate studies at the San Francisco Conservatory, or sacrifice everything and join her familys crusade to spread artisanal soy sauce to the world.
Soy Sauce for Beginners reveals the triumphs and sacrifices that shape one womans search for a place to call home, and the unexpected art and tradition behind the brewing of a much-used but unsung condiment. The result is a foodie love story that will give readers a hearty appreciation for family loyalty and fresh starts.
Synopsis
For fans of Kyung-Sook Shin and Anna Quindlen, a story of family, loyalty and fresh starts in the heart of Singapore.
Synopsis
Gretchen Lin leaves her heart (or at least her foundering marriage) in San Francisco, moves back to her childhood home in Singapore, and finds herself face-to-face with the twin headaches shes been avoiding her entire adult life: her mothers drinking problem and the machinations of her fathers soy sauce business. Gretchen explores new romance with the son of a client—a sexy man of few words—and struggles with the tension between ambition and family obligation. When her American college roommate comes to town, the two of them are pulled into the controversy surrounding Gretchens cousin, the only male grandchild and the heir apparent to Lins Soy Sauce. In the midst of increasing pressure from her father to remain permanently in Singapore—and pressure from her mother to do just the opposite—Gretchen must decide whether she will return to married life as a student at the San Francisco Conservatory or sacrifice everything and join her familys crusade to spread artisanal soy to the world.
About the Author
KIRSTIN CHEN was born and raised in Singapore. Her stories have appeared in Hobart, Pank, and the Good Men Project. She is a 2011-12 Steinbeck Fellow and has twice been nominated for the Pushcart Prize.