The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Mones
Thanks to Ruth and Marlene who added notes about this book to their Goodreads update feeds. I think this might be one of my favorite books. I know I want to listen to it again.
I wasn’t sure about listening to this book. I don’t know who recommended it initially or why I added it. I know I downloaded it, because I didn’t know what else to download.
I am not am not much of a fan of the premise, but find the food aspect fascinating. I love the descriptions in this book of how traditional Chinese cooking separates flavors and textures in dishes, for example. Seeing Beijing and China through Maggie’s eyes helped me appreciate it more. I also thought the idea of meals as community (served family style) was profound.
As I worked my way through the book, I began to see links between the stated theories and principles of Chinese cooking *as it is described in the book* and quiltmaking. There is a beauty and meaning to the way the Chinese cooking is described, which I do not feel when I enter an American Chinese restaurant.
The beginning of every chapter has excerpts from a book called the Last Chinese Chef. I don’t know if this a real book, but the passages are evocative and towards the latter part of the book, especially the last chapters, I found my mind forming connections between what the narrator was saying and the Design Series I work on with Sandy. Throughout the book, the characters talk about links between the food and history, literature and poetry. I find this very beautiful.
Maggie’s situation is very sad, but seems to be about money and since she has downsized, I had a hard time feeling sorry for her with regard to the suit in China. I do feel sorry for her loss of her husband and think the grief she feels is fairly well described. I don’t think the name is a good one for her character. I am not sure why; it doesn’t seem to fit the story or her life story.
After finishing the whole book, I see the sort of crudeness of the beginning chapters in the description of the suit and China. I think that Nicole Mones smooths out the writing in such a way that the reader is soothed as the story goes on. I liked the ending very much and thought it fit. While I think there are more stories for these characters, I was satisfied with the ending.
This is a book where I might want to see the words on the page. This book also makes me want to add a section on Aesthetic to the Design series.