Book Review: Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal (as an E-book)

Kitchens of the Great Midwest
by J. Ryan Stradal (E-book)

The main character is Eva Thorvald, daughter of foodie parents. A few chapters feature her directly, and the rest are from the perspective of others who know her. Each chapter describes characters, formative events (and foods) in her life, starting when she was a baby and following her into adulthood. The structure is unique and keeps the reader trying to make connections between characters and events. The characters themselves make it great. These are ordinary, yet often quirky people described in an entertaining way. Each character was developed well enough in a chapter that sometimes when it was time for a new narrator, I wanted more of the previous story. The overall feel of the book was lighthearted, although loss, difficulty, and sadness were mixed in throughout the characters lives in a way that felt real.

I loved this book, not just because of the good writing but because several of its themes were close to my heart: it was for foodies, with discussions of types of heirloom tomatoes, popup restaurants, hot peppers, and it even included some recipes (prize-winning peanut butter bars … I might have to actually make them). It also featured places and people of the Midwest in an ordinary and (mostly) un-caricatured way.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Lager Queen of Minnesota, also by J. Ryan Stradal.]

[ official Kitchens of the Great Midwest page on the official J. Ryan Stradal web site ]

Recommended by Laura N.
Bennett Martin Public Library – Public Service

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