Kitchens of the Great Midwest: A Novel
“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.
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Community Reviews
310 pages
Really 3 1/2 stars....
What’s it about?
This novel seemed like a collection of interwoven short stories. Each chapter was from a different time and viewpoint. The book begins with Lars. Lars is a talented chef who loves food, his wife, and his new baby girl Eva. The rest of the novel centers on Eva who is introduced to us as a baby with a "once in a generation palate".
What did it make me think about?
This novel centers on food and relationships. Actually two of my favorite subjects. However this novel was so uneven to me. It had some great sections and some disjointed sections. I did love the last 25% of the book. I just wish the first 3/4 had been as compelling.
Should I read it?
If you love food and the world of celebrity chefs then I would highly recommend this one. Patience will be the key as this book all comes together in the end. The wait was worth it for me. The social commentary about the pretentiousness that surrounds food right now was spot on! If food is not a subject that interests you then skip this one.
Quote-
"As for Petite Noisette itself, it seemed a little weird. Nothing she'd much care to read regularly. They reviewed restaurants and boutique hotels and seemed intensely concerned about where stuff like the cotton in your hotel towels came from or the chives on a baked potato were grown. They sourced every ingredient of every meal they reviewed and put them all on little maps. Pat assumed they weren't very trusting people."
If you like this try-
Dietland by Sarai Walker
All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews
Elegies for the Broken Hearted by Christie Hodgen
Good read, but a disappointing ending. Well written, keeps you engaged in the story, but it felt like I was left hanging at the end.
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