Saturday, January 9, 2010

Review - The School of Essential Ingredients

The School of Essential Ingredients
By Erica Bauermeister
Publisher: Putnam
Release Date: January 21, 2009 (Hardback)
January 4, 2010 (Paperback)





Every so often a book comes along that makes all other books pale in comparison, that quite simply leaves you in awe. For me, The School of Essential Ingredients is that book. Erica Bauermeister's debut novel is a feast for the senses and the soul, filled with lush and evocative prose that will leave readers eager for a second helping.

Lillian's father left when she was very young. Stunned by his departure, Lillian's mother copes by escaping with the endless procession of books that she reads. Lillian is left to deal with household chores, and she soon discovers a love of cooking. She adores experimenting and creating recipes, and she somehow thinks that she can reach her mother through food. With the help of Abuelita, the owner of a small grocery store, Lillian makes a special concoction for her mother's coffee to help her "remember what she lost and want it again."

The chocolate made a rough sound as it brushed across the fine section of the grater, falling in soft clouds onto the counter, releasing the scent of dusty back rooms filled with bittersweet chocolate and old love letters, the bottom drawers of antique desks and the last leaves of autumn, almonds and cinnamon and sugar.

Years later, Lillian is a restaurant owner and once a month on Monday night, she hosts a cooking class, The School of Essential Ingredients. The students gather to learn more about the culinary arts, but they discover so much more. There's Claire, a young wife and mother, longing to rediscover herself; Helen and Carl, a long-time married couple whose relationship hides surprising secrets; Antonia, a kitchen designer who is trying to transition from life in her native Italy; Tom, a lawyer whose life is colored by loss; Isabelle, an elderly woman coping with dementia; Chloe, a young woman who is struggling to find her identity; and Ian, a software engineer, endeavoring to find his creative side.

Each character's story is emotionally rich and Bauermeister's delicious prose is as sensuous and succulent as the dishes created in Lillian's kitchen. You can practically taste each savory bite.

"Now we'll try some prosciutto with it." She took a piece of melon in her fingers, wrapped it with a translucent slice of pink meat, and motioned for him to open his mouth. The meat was a whisper of salt against the dense, sweet fruit. It felt like summer in a hot land, the smooth skin in the curve between Charlie's strong thumb and index finger. The wine afterward was crisp, like coming to the surface of water to breathe.

I fell in love with The School of Essential Ingredients, wishing I could be a student of Lillian's and immerse myself in the heavenly aromas and mouthwatering morsels found in her kitchen. Give yourself a gift for the new year and spend time with Lillian and her proteges and fall in love with this superbly written masterpiece. Bon Appetit.


~Gannon



One lucky commenter will win a hardback copy of The School of Essential Ingredients.


Note:  The trade paperback version of this book was released January 5, 2010 with a lovely new cover. (shown below)







39 comments:

  1. 5 stars ?
    WOW, what a great book and thanks for the review Gannon.

    i fall in love with 'cooking and baking' things for the last one year. kindda late i guess :)
    coz cooking is so fun !

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  2. Great review Gannon! Sounds like a fabulous book, but one that would make me very hungry while reading it - LOL!

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  3. Wonderful review, Gannon! This was one of my top reads of 2009. I've gushed about it to everybody I know. It's just so beautifully written.

    Btw, it was just released in trade paperback on January 5th.

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  4. Wow. And now I'm hungry. I can see what you mean about the prose being just lush & lovely. Five stars seems appropriate. Great review!

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  5. This sounds like a super book! Thank you for the review, Gannon; you did a great job. The premise of the story reminds me of Debbie Macomber's story about the yarn shop...It sounds as if the characters in this book learn a lot about themselves and gain friendships while learning the basics of cooking.
    Wouldn't it be fun to get together with others to have a cooking course? A grocery store near here does this and my sisters and I have talked about doing it this summer. There's another place that has you make enough meals for 7 nights and you take them home to put in the freezer.
    I look forward to this book!

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  6. This sounds like a book that should be a movie. Count me in!
    Margay

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  7. Oh wow, just the excerpt is exciting and the writing is powerful. Erica certainly is a master of description. Please count me in on the drawing.

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  8. Mariska, better late than never! I love playing in the kitchen too.

    Gannon did a wonderful job of capturing the spirit of this book. I'm usually a very fast reader but, with this story, I found myself reading at a leisurely pace and savoring every word.

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  9. Hi Susan! I found myself drooling at several points in the book. :) The author has several recipes from the book (including Abuelita's Hot Chocolate) posted at her website.
    I can't wait to try them!

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  10. Deb said .It sounds as if the characters in this book learn a lot about themselves and gain friendships while learning the basics of cooking.

    You're absolutely right, Deb!

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  11. This sounds like a book that should be a movie.

    Margay, it would make a beautiful movie!

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  12. Dianna, that's just a small sample of the author's masterful command of language. Every page unveils a new delight.

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  13. It really is a lovely book. I put it on hold at the library after PJ recommended it to me, and I just renewed it for the second time--not because I didn't read it soon after I had it, but because I keep dipping into it for another taste of the luscious prose. It's good to know a trade paperback has been released. Clearly I need my own copy and need to return the library copy so others can read this marvelous book. :)

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  14. Mariska, it is very deserving of 5 stars! I would make everyone around me read passages from this book--it's just that wonderful!

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  15. Buffie, it does make you hungry! LOL

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  16. Susan, I'm glad you liked the review. Erica's prose is gorgeous! And her descriptions of each dish made me want to try all of them. :)

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  17. It sounds as if the characters in this book learn a lot about themselves and gain friendships while learning the basics of cooking.
    Wouldn't it be fun to get together with others to have a cooking course?


    Deb, the journey of the characters is what makes this book so wonderful! I think taking a cooking course, especially one like Lillian's, would be fun!

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  18. Margay, this story would be a fabulous movie!

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  19. Dianna, Erica's writing is beautifully descriptive and those excerpts are just a small sampling of what's in store for you when you read the book!

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  20. I just renewed it for the second time--not because I didn't read it soon after I had it, but because I keep dipping into it for another taste of the luscious prose.

    Janga, that's the way I felt. I'm getting my own copy this week. Maybe I should get two, because I'll probably wear one out with all of the re-reading I'll do!

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  21. Five Stars! Wow Gannon, what a great review, and the excerpts you posted crackle with sensuous foodalitry (my own word, LOL!)
    Sounds like a delicious read to be sure, thanks for bringing this to my attention!

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  22. the excerpts you posted crackle with sensuous foodalitry (my own word, LOL!)

    Great word, Drew! :-D I can't recommend this book highly enough!!

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  23. Gannon, I remember you talking about this over on the Romance Bandits and thinking it sounded really interesting. Your review has made me order it! Sounds fantastic!

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  24. Anna, can't wait to hear what you think of the book. Gannon and I have both been gushing about it to everyone we know.

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  25. Great review. Now I am very intrigued. Sounds like a lovely read. Please count me in.

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  26. Your review has made me order it! Sounds fantastic!

    Anna, what a lovely compliment! I look forward to hearing what you think after you read it. :)

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  27. Armenia, it is indeed a lovely read!

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  28. Fantastic review, Gannon! It sounds delicious!

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  29. Andrea, I know someone who'll loan you a copy! LOL

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  30. Gannon,

    Isn't it a terrific book? I read it quite a while ago, and passed it on at the library. Love the new cover, although the earlier one attracted me. And, love Drew's phrase, "sensuous foodalitry." Very good description.

    Lesa Holstine - www.lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com

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  31. Based on PJ's enthusiastic recommendation I decided to buy this for my friend's birthday....

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  32. Lesa, as you can tell from my review and many comments, I adore this book!! And I think both covers are lovely.

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  33. Joanie, your friend is very lucky!

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  34. It sounds like a lovely book. I would love to read it. It really sounds delightful.

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  35. Linda, I can't imagine anyone not liking this book!

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  36. Sounds like a good read. Will have to read this one soon. It sounds like one to suggest for our book club to read.

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  37. Librarypat, yes, it would be a fantastic book club read!

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  38. librarypat, Erica has a terrific section for bookclubs on her website - complete with discussion questions and an author Q&A.

    www.ericabauermeister.com

    Click on Books, then School of Essential Ingredients, then Book Club Extras.

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  39. That review sounds so enticing. Seems to have a bit of a feel of 'Like Water for Chocolate'. I've been reading a few food-related novels lately and this sounds like a great addition to my 'collection'.

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