What would you do if you could taste people's emotions just by tasting a meal they have cooked or prepared? Wouldn't it be overwhelming, as well as emotionally draining?
Well, that is what "The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake" by Aimee Bender is all about. I pick books at the library sometimes based on the picture on the jacket, and well, this one is cute. Then I read the inside of the jacket or the back, and if that catches my attention, I read the book. Here you can see for yourselves:
Of course, sometimes I don't read the book if it's too graphic or full of foul language. One thing I cannot stand is extreme swearing in books. It is completely unnecessary, and I really don't understand why some authors decide to just ruin their books that way. Does anybody agree with me?
Anyway, back to Aimee's book. It was a wonderful read and it really grabbed my attention, plus she made me feel for Rosie, the main character. She starts to taste emotions at nine years old.
I love fanciful books and ones full of impossibilities. It makes me happy to immerse myself in that author's imagination and see what they see. In this case, the book is full of food, and she talks about the way food is prepared, the emotions that can go when one makes a meal. There is one part where Rosie discovers a terrible secret from her mother, and it really struck me. If one found out something like that at the age of Rosie, well, I can see how it can really mess one up. Instead, Rosie just buries it inside and pretends nothing is wrong.
The character of her brother, Jonathan, is super quiet, which is a contrast to the personality given to Rosie. I wish there had been more insight on what made him tick, but the book is about Rosie, so I made do. The mom, I cannot help but dislike. Really, get a grip. Ha! I love the father, though. I wish I had such a mellow father. However, it would be annoying if your dad was that blind to what is going on with his own family. Of course, there has to be a love interest, and I like how Aimee makes Rosie fall for an "older" boy, and how it doesn't work out in the end. How sad, but true. How many of us have ended with our firs crush? I didn't, and I am thankful I didn't. What a jerk! That's another story.
If tasting emotions was an everyday occurrence, well then, my meals would be full of anxiousness, boredom, and sometimes just rushing. Rare would be the time when I cook with emotions that are nice, where I'm feeling relaxed. I do not enjoy cooking as much as my twin, or my husband, but I'll cook. If the occasion rises where I want to impress, well then I can impress. It's just not often.
Thank goodness, my girls have my hubby as an example that one can use recipes and create a nice meal. I do like to bake, though. I have this awesome book that's all about muffins and cupcakes, and well, I have to say I've made quite a few of those recipes and they turn out good. From scratch, and they are easy!
I really liked this book, so hopefully you look for it and read it. Give me your opinion of it.
Here's a link from Random House that has a preview of the book - nice.
I'll get it out of the library and read it. I like to eat and I like to read, and I'm emotional so sounds like a book for me.
ReplyDeleteI have returned many books for excessive swearing and vulgar descriptive sex. I wish books on the back would list the content like movies used to.