Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

**** 8/4/24 **** I'm a Ruth Reichl fan, but am embarrassed to say that I did not realize this was a fiction book when I picked it up at the LA public library. Realizing this was an adult coming of age fiction story I was hopeful, but I didn't love several choices Reichl made in her writing, and decided to DNF about 60% in. Reichl's food history shines, but in a way that felt like the food happened to the protagonist, instead of the protagonist being in control of the food exploration. Ultimately I was just not bought into this character or storyline, so I had to let it go, as is my 2024 resolution. Other readers may fall in love with the French- and food-centric story. 3-stars.

*** 7/21/24 *** Snagged a hardcover of Ruth Reichl's new release at the library. I didn't realize she wrote fiction?! Quick thoughts at about 40% through: the novel is about Stella, an adult book editor, whose negligent and uncaring mother recently passed away, leaving her a small sum of money with instructions to "Go to Paris." She does so and seems to be blessed to find the most iconic and interesting people fairly easily! A woman selling a designer dress (who sewed for said designer and agrees to let Stella basically borrow a $6K dress), a wealthy widower who takes her to incredible dining experiences (the descriptions of which is where Reichl really shines), the owner of the famed Shakespeare & Co Paris bookstore, and more.

The story about Stella's mother and Stella's upbringing was fairly painful to read in the beginning, but the oft-mentioned-in-reviews (view spoiler)[sexual abuse (hide spoiler)] scene near the beginning of the book was unnecessary and distasteful for an otherwise 'luxurious' book. I also didn't love that Stella ate and drank so much in southern France that she fell asleep at the table and had to be carried to the car and also to bed by her wealthy friend's driver. Made me uncomfortable.

But we'll see how this "adult coming of age" novel turns out - review coming soon.