The Hundred-Foot Journey
“Slumdog Millionaire meets Ratatouille” (The New York Times Book Review) in this “delicious fairytale-like read” (NPR) about family, nationality, and the mysteries of good taste.
Born above his grandfather’s modest restaurant in Mumbai, Hassan Haji first experienced life through intoxicating whiffs of spicy fish curry, trips to the local markets, and gourmet outings with his mother. But when tragedy pushes the family out of India, they console themselves by eating their way around the world, eventually settling in Lumière, a small village in the French Alps.
The boisterous Haji family takes Lumière by storm. They open an inexpensive Indian restaurant opposite an esteemed French relais—that of the famous chef Madame Mallory—and infuse the sleepy town with the spices of India, transforming the lives of its eccentric villagers and infuriating their celebrated neighbor. Only after Madame Mallory wages culinary war with the immigrant family, does she finally agree to mentor young Hassan, leading him to Paris, the launch of his own restaurant, and a slew of new adventures.
The Hundred-Foot Journey is about how the hundred-foot distance between a new Indian kitchen and a traditional French one can represent the gulf between different cultures and desires. A testament to the inevitability of destiny, this is a fable for the ages—charming, endearing, and compulsively readable.
Born above his grandfather’s modest restaurant in Mumbai, Hassan Haji first experienced life through intoxicating whiffs of spicy fish curry, trips to the local markets, and gourmet outings with his mother. But when tragedy pushes the family out of India, they console themselves by eating their way around the world, eventually settling in Lumière, a small village in the French Alps.
The boisterous Haji family takes Lumière by storm. They open an inexpensive Indian restaurant opposite an esteemed French relais—that of the famous chef Madame Mallory—and infuse the sleepy town with the spices of India, transforming the lives of its eccentric villagers and infuriating their celebrated neighbor. Only after Madame Mallory wages culinary war with the immigrant family, does she finally agree to mentor young Hassan, leading him to Paris, the launch of his own restaurant, and a slew of new adventures.
The Hundred-Foot Journey is about how the hundred-foot distance between a new Indian kitchen and a traditional French one can represent the gulf between different cultures and desires. A testament to the inevitability of destiny, this is a fable for the ages—charming, endearing, and compulsively readable.
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Community Reviews
Anthony Bourdain calls this book food porn. I don't know if I'd go that far, but foodies will love this book. It follows the Haji family from their lowly "truck stop" type restaurant in Mumbai; their stint in England after tragedy strikes their family; after their move to Lumiere, France, their noisy Indian restaurant directly across the street from a fine, old French restaurant with two Michelin stars, to Hassan Haji's rise to fame as a chef in Paris. Rags to riches, yes, but not so cliche as others of that genre.
The most enjoyable part of the book is when this extended family of loving, loud, passionate Indians arrives in quiet, traditional Lumiere and drives the chef in the competing restaurant across the street out of her mind. It touches on race issues, competition, jealousy and pride, and the resolutions are satisfying but not very credible. But I'd still recommend it!
The most enjoyable part of the book is when this extended family of loving, loud, passionate Indians arrives in quiet, traditional Lumiere and drives the chef in the competing restaurant across the street out of her mind. It touches on race issues, competition, jealousy and pride, and the resolutions are satisfying but not very credible. But I'd still recommend it!
I enjoyed reading this novel. The family interactions and the culture clash as the family tried to find their way. The competition between the traditional French restaurant and the family's Indian restaurant when they settled in France was hilarious. Most of the characters are well rounded, but some of them seem to be lost along the way. I guess that's just part of being a part of a large family.
I'm not sure I would count this as a favorite or even recommend it. But like all good books it left me wondering what was next for Hassan after the ending.
I'm not sure I would count this as a favorite or even recommend it. But like all good books it left me wondering what was next for Hassan after the ending.
A completely beautiful book. As someone that spends their money and free time on dining out and the experiences it brings with loved ones, I didn't want this book to end.The immense labor of love it is for chefs and their restaurants will open your eyes.
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