Gastronomy Of Marriage: A Memoir Of Food And Love (2014) - Plot & Excerpts
I recognize so much of myself in this book. Cooking for someone else's palette and stomach, compromise, taking on household duties because my partner makes more money. Wanting my choices to last and stick, but also knowing that everything is temporary--you can renegotiate your roles, time changes all, and not everyone makes it through all the time.I like the tone, which I may be projecting from my own space. But I consider this a very wistful, melancholy goodbye to singlehood. She's enthusiastic and in love, but she recognizes the great change that will come with marriage in a way that I *thought* I did but did not. It's an acknowledgement of independence and youth and the trade-off for "adulthood" and its concomitant sacrifices and changes, but new possibilities as well. But no one gets to have all the lives, and every choice you make circumscribes you a little bit more. And choice becomes routine and routine becomes who you are. Even knowing that, it's hard to avoid, and maybe it's not worth trying to avoid. Choose carefully, think a lot (maybe a little less than she does or than I do), and keep the lines of communication open. Hope for the best, but do more than hope, too.My parents just left, and I had no dinner plans for the week. So I decided to see what would happen if I just let the dinner hour roll around with no plan. Here were the results: leftovers, eating out, cobbled-together soup followed by a trip to the store anyway, dinner at the in-laws, dinner at the in-laws. I shall not try this experiment again. I wonder if Dave noticed. I very much identify with Maisto's impossible focus on feeding two very different (even though compatible) people in a way to satisfy them both, and with the seeming obliviousness of a partner who often shoots down ideas but rarely offers actual meal suggestions. I guess it's not so bad. Her entire book on the topic made me realize that these are the problems to have: endless discussions about the overabundance of food and choices, free time to make delicious meals. As my mom noted while here, "You guys will drive anywhere for food." This creative nonfiction memoir interweaves several of my favorite themes: melding of cuisines, family, career, friends and love (and why we choose the people we do to populate our lives). Anyone interested in the tale of a Gen Xer writer planning a wedding and both questioning and enjoying the exploration of gender roles in the kitchen and in her personal life, will enjoy this tale of Michelle and her fellow writer fiance, Rich. While I'm not a great cook by any means, I especially enjoyed her food preparation descriptions. For foodies, there are recipes at the end of almost every chapter. I loved the vivid descriptions of her neighboorhood bodegas, her favorite dishes, and her relationships with her father and sisters. An easy read but a pleasantly artistic and thoughtful one. Excellent! :)
What do You think about Gastronomy Of Marriage: A Memoir Of Food And Love (2014)?
I read this book several years ago and really enjoyed it. I nice fast read.
—green
Really enjoyed this memoir. More complete review to come.
—Maddie
Alright book, liked the recipes more than the story.
—JenSA
