This memoir has everything I enjoy in a book. The detail Grace includes of a British 70s / 80s childhood brings back nostalgic memories. I also particularly enjoyed Grace's anecdotes about early and ambitious adulthood in London. There is glamour and humour in the stories.
There is also a really human thread running through. Grace Dent is honest and hides no warts as she describes losing her way a bit with friendshipson the path to success.
Most poignant, deserving of admiration and a bit heartbreaking, is the story of her family and in particular her wonderful dad's decline into dementia. All of this is described with beautiful prose, not shying away from honesty and emotion. It is humbling to read how hard Grace worked to support her parents in the background to forging her public career as a restaurant critic and Masterchef judge. I was always a fan, but now even more so.
There is also a really human thread running through. Grace Dent is honest and hides no warts as she describes losing her way a bit with friendshipson the path to success.
Most poignant, deserving of admiration and a bit heartbreaking, is the story of her family and in particular her wonderful dad's decline into dementia. All of this is described with beautiful prose, not shying away from honesty and emotion. It is humbling to read how hard Grace worked to support her parents in the background to forging her public career as a restaurant critic and Masterchef judge. I was always a fan, but now even more so.