Who Would Like This Book:
This book is a total treat for foodies, fans of quirky family sagas, and anyone who loves a creative storytelling twist! Each chapter unfolds like a perfectly plated dish - told from the perspective of a different character connected to Eva Thorvald, a once-in-a-generation culinary prodigy. The story celebrates Midwestern food, family, and the evolving foodie culture, bringing in plenty of humor, heart, and mouthwatering recipes. If you enjoyed books like 'Olive Kitteridge' or appreciate novels where food is front and center, this one's for you.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the structure a bit jarring, wishing they got more direct time with Eva herself. If you enjoy tightly plotted stories told from a single viewpoint, the shifting perspectives and sometimes unresolved side stories might feel frustrating or leave you wanting more closure. Others noted a few unlikeable or less-developed side characters, and if you’re not a big fan of foodie culture or recipes sprinkled into fiction, this might not be your cup of tea.
About:
'Kitchens of the Great Midwest' by J. Ryan Stradal is a series of interconnected vignettes that follow the life of Eva Thorvald, a renowned chef, from infancy to adulthood. The book delves into Eva's culinary journey, her relationships with family and friends, and the impact she has on those around her. Each chapter is narrated from a different character's perspective, providing a unique insight into Eva's life and the Midwest setting.
The novel skillfully weaves together themes of family, food, and life, capturing the complexities of relationships and personal growth. Stradal's writing style is described as humorous, poignant, and engaging, with colorful and realistic character development that resonates with readers on an emotional level.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of abandonment, loss, and parental death, which may resonate deeply with some readers and require caution.
From The Publisher:
"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
From 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 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.
Ratings (16)
Incredible (1) | |
Loved It (7) | |
Liked It (4) | |
It Was OK (3) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (61):
Read It (16) | |
Want To Read (27) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (17) |
1 comment(s)
****4.0****
We follow Eva Thorvald through out her life but she is not alsways the center of her life. Eva is abandoned by her mother in few months after she is born but her father, a good chef and good hearted man stays. Eva is looked after by her uncle and aunt who take her in as their own baby when her father too dies when she is still a baby.
“When it came to Eva’s life, her mom had the awareness of a fifty-cent guppy; there were sad-eyed janitors at school who seemed to have more insight into Eva’s heart than her own parents did.”
We follow Eva through her middle school bullying, her cousins, her culinary interests and journey towards being a great chef. She is the center part in the stories narrated by different people and sometimes she is not.
“She suddenly felt sorry for these people, for perverting the food of their childhood, the food of their mothers and grandmothers, and rejecting its unconditional love in favor of what? What? Pat did not understand.”
It is a very light read with food and food culture being the center of the story. Different read. Light yet serious.
Happy reading!!
What can you read after
Kitchens of the Great Midwest?
About the Author:
J. Ryan Stradal is the author of New York Times bestseller Kitchens of the Great Midwest and national bestseller The Lager Queen of Minnesota. He is a contributing editor at TASTE Magazine, and his writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Granta, The Rumpus, and the Los Angeles Review of Books, among other places. Born and raised in Minnesota, he now lives in Los Angeles, where he co-hosts a culinary-themed reading series called Hot Dish. He has also worked as a TV producer, notably for Ice Road Truckers and Deadliest Catch.
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