Kitchens of the Great Midwest

J. Ryan Stradal

Pamela Dorman Books/Viking

2015

310 páginas

10h 20m

ISBN-10: 052542914X

“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 Pick

“Kitchens of the Great Midwest is a terrific reminder of what can be wrested from suffering and struggle – not only success, but also considerable irony, a fair amount of wisdom and a decent meal.”—Jane Smiley, The Guardian

As seen on The Skimm: "Warning: this will make you hungry. . . . You won’t be able to put it down. And it will up your kitchen game."

Kitchens of the Great Midwest, about a young woman with a once-in-a-generation palate who becomes the iconic chef behind the country’s most coveted dinner reservation, is the summer’s most hotly-anticipated debut.

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 puréed 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.

Resenhas (1)

2.5 (Razoável)

Kitchens of the Great Midwest

Talvez mais adequado fosse chama-lo de “Fragmentos da Vida de Eva com Breves Menções à Comida”. O livro apresenta Eva Thorvald de forma bastante rápida de um bebê recém-orfão a uma deusa com habilidade de discernir sabores individuais dos pratos mais simples e requintadamente preparados.
Os capítulos contam história de pessoas aleatórias que de forma direta ou absurdamente sútil passam pela vida de Eva. Achei muito confuso e várias vezes desconexo, e de forma geral uma leitura muito difícil de manter.
Não é uma boa literatura, ou particularmente bem escrito, e também não é um livro sobre gastronomia, o título parece enganar muito.
Nenhum personagem é bem desenvolvido e o final foi abrupto.