I loved this book! It's a nice story - which sounds weird - "nice" but it really is. Meg's mother is weird. She lives in a fantasy world and tells the craziest stories. At age 8 Meg told a story at school about runner beans getting up and running away and her classmates gave her weird looks and then and there she decided to ground herself in science and reality and not in her mother's crazy stories. The problem is, all Meg remembers are the crazy stories that her mother told her about her childhood -- how she was caught in a frying pan when she was born, and put in next to the boiler room to "rise" (get bigger) and a whole host of other crazy tales. Meg's mother is also an amazing cook and spends all her time between her garden and her kitchen. She prepares food for her neighbors, but doesn't talk to them or interact with them - in fact she is a total recluse.When Meg returns "home" to tend to her mother who is sick and dying, she tries to get some facts out of her mom and find out more about where she came from. But her mother isn't telling, and her mother is also in complete denial about her being sick at all.Enter Ewan, the gardner Val hires to help (at Meg's suggestion). Ewan is a down to earth fellow, great with plants, herbal remedies, greek myths and an active imagination. Val and Ewan get along fabulously, and Meg is the odd one out. Meg's boyfriend is a scientist and as stiff and serious as can be. He is annoying and even Meg's uptightness is as well. But obviously, the story is about them coming around.Meg eventually finds out a bit more about her childhood and her history and it's not at all what she expected. The question is, is knowing better than not knowing. In the end, like I said, this is a nice story. Nice as in heartwarming and good fuzzy feelings. I loved the garden and cooking basis and the down to earth stories of Val. Not a bad "mother's day" week book. Simmer at a Low Heat From the Kitchen of Half Truth emerges a beautiful story of a mother's love. Seductively hidden amid the magical, mystical stories she has created for her daughter all of her life, is hidden the truth of Valerie's life -- and the hurt, rejection and abuse have caused her to create a world for her daughter void of anything but fantasy, flavors and laughter. Daughter Meg struggles with the endless imaginary stories of her childhood and upon the impending death of her mother seeks answers she feels she needs in order to bring order and meaning to her life. Little does she realize that what her mother gave her will inspire her to forge ahead in life and open her eyes to the beauty and lives around her. This was a whimsical, beautiful story that caused me to laugh, shake my head in anger at times and made me shed tears. Fact is stranger than fiction? Perhaps. And the truth shall set you free? Be careful what you ask for. Either way, there is much truth to be had in the Kitchen of Half Truth -- an inspiring read for all mothers.
What do You think about Nutmeg (2012)?
Underbar och välskriven historia! Kreativ och känslosam utan att vara för förutsägbar.
—Abby
Perhaps a bit too unrealistic but after a somewhat slow start the characters draw you in.
—seyi
