I was drawn to this one as I recognised the name of the writer and thought it would make for an interesting read, focusing on her working class background and how she made a name for herself in the very high class world of Michelin star restaurant criticism & Master chef professionalism. Grace is a humorous and talented food critic, writer and comedian and her talent in all three of these areas shines through in this book.
This is a book I have completely devoured in just a couple of short sittings. It is an easy read, but Grace’s talent as a writer is clear. The narrative is peppered with a humour and honesty so real and raw, you feel as if you are having a therapeutic catch up with an old friend over dinner. I expected her childhood stories to be ones I could relate to, but I did not expect for that relatable voice to stay with me throughout. The way the memoir is told – not strictly chronologically – is also very original and striking, bringing the themes and focus of the book to the forefront, for example, social class.
There is much debate and observation in this country over class divides and how easy it is to go “up in the world”. Grace includes some very important social commentary on the issue of class and self development, which I have found totally refreshing and interesting. It is clear that her roots have remained part of her, and in fact at the end of the book she feels impelled to go back and discover those Cumbrian roots again…
Her observations around family, gender roles and familial love in relation to food are also very original and thought provoking. It is clear that for Grace, the three things – food, love and family – live in a triangulation that cannot be separated and I completely agree with this view.
The powerful voice that speaks to me through the pages of the book is an honest, wise, determined, affectionate, loyal person and I have loved learning about her life and her road to success.
The end of the memoir is absolutely beautiful – heart warming and heart breaking. I felt as if I had been on a rollercoaster of a journey. I have really enjoyed this wonderful memoir and already recommended it to so many people. This is a definite contender for my book of the month.
This is a book I have completely devoured in just a couple of short sittings. It is an easy read, but Grace’s talent as a writer is clear. The narrative is peppered with a humour and honesty so real and raw, you feel as if you are having a therapeutic catch up with an old friend over dinner. I expected her childhood stories to be ones I could relate to, but I did not expect for that relatable voice to stay with me throughout. The way the memoir is told – not strictly chronologically – is also very original and striking, bringing the themes and focus of the book to the forefront, for example, social class.
There is much debate and observation in this country over class divides and how easy it is to go “up in the world”. Grace includes some very important social commentary on the issue of class and self development, which I have found totally refreshing and interesting. It is clear that her roots have remained part of her, and in fact at the end of the book she feels impelled to go back and discover those Cumbrian roots again…
Her observations around family, gender roles and familial love in relation to food are also very original and thought provoking. It is clear that for Grace, the three things – food, love and family – live in a triangulation that cannot be separated and I completely agree with this view.
The powerful voice that speaks to me through the pages of the book is an honest, wise, determined, affectionate, loyal person and I have loved learning about her life and her road to success.
The end of the memoir is absolutely beautiful – heart warming and heart breaking. I felt as if I had been on a rollercoaster of a journey. I have really enjoyed this wonderful memoir and already recommended it to so many people. This is a definite contender for my book of the month.