Monday, January 25, 2010

The Virago Book of Food

'A delightful selection of literary canapes' states the Evening Standard. I would also hasten to add 'delicious', in the sense that you could sit for ages gobbling up snippets from this wonderful book. There are several paragraphs interspersed throughout from Barbara Pym's books which brought about a 'wonderful' from R who was trying to be happy for me. From Excellent Women, 'I made myself what seemed an extravagant lunch of scrambled eggs preceded by the remains of some soup, and followed by cheese, biscuits and an apple. I was glad that I wasn't a man, or the kind of man who looked upon a meal alone as a good opportunity to cook a small plover, though I should have been glad enough to have someone else cook it for me.' Other culinary descriptions from books include works by Elizabeth Taylor, Katherine Mansfield, Beatrix Potter, Sylvia Plath, Sarah Waters, Emily Bronte and Virginia Woolf. Short though still delightful is 'I am glad the new cook begins so well. Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness.' Written by Jane Austen to Cassandra at Chawton. Non-fiction writings by domestic doyenne's are included as well. So if you're interested in reading the thoughts of Mrs Beeton or Fanny Farmer among others, you will find interesting advice scattered here and there. An abundance of writings by various aristocrats and ladies from more humble homes throughout history, are presented as well. I just bought this yesterday but couldn't resist telling everyone about its existence before I've explored it more thoroughly. Many of you will no doubt have it on your shelf already but if you don't, please look for it! It has had me smiling ever since I brought it home.

20 comments:

  1. Another addition to the wishlist. Thankyou, Darlene!

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  2. Cornflower, I'm so pleased to return the favour of recommending a wonderful book!

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  3. That sounds fantastic, but I'm not sure I could bear reading about wonderful food at the moment. I do love the idea of reading what all of my favourite authors have to say about it though in due course. Any recipes in the volume?!

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  4. I borrowed this from the library last year and it is indeed quite wonderful. I have The Virago Book of Shopping too but I am scred to open it.

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  5. I never knew this existed! It sounds brilliant! I love food and I love books so a book ABOUT food has got to be a winner!

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  6. This sounds like a fabulous read! I'll will be on the lookout for it:)

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  7. Oh thank you for posting about this! Sounds like a delightful read - I can't wait to add it to my collection :)

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  8. This sounds wonderful! Will definitely be adding it to the (ever-growing) wish list... K x

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  9. thank you so much for this recommendation.sounds really wonderfull

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  10. Oh, I'll be on the lookout for this one for sure... and a Virago Book of Shopping, too??

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  11. This sounds delicious (sorry, couldn't resist) :)

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  12. This sounds wonderful! Such a great book to get me through the remaining dark days of January - great writers and great food, what could be a better combination?

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  13. This looks very intriguing (and dangerous for one's appetite, of course).

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  14. verity, I found three by flipping through, one being an omelette recipe from Agatha Christie. No arsenic was called for.

    FleurFisher, You made me laugh! But seriously, that does sound too tempting!

    Rachel, You would love it so run, don't walk, to your local library!

    Book Psmith, I found it in the literary cooking section of Chapters. The library may have it as well!

    skirmishofwit, Some delightfully distracting reading from your law books...promise.

    Kristina, This book is so you! D x

    efi, Thanks for stopping by.

    JoAnn, This would be a lovely companion to your Secret Ingredients book and as for the Shopping edition of this book...too wonderful!

    A Bookish Space, It IS delicious isn't it.

    Bloomsbury Bell, This book is all the fun of food without the washing up! I hope you can get your hands on a copy.

    Claire, Definitely! Not a good idea to pick this one up if you're peckish.

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  15. *Sigh*

    I've already added it to my cart, thanks to you! Thanks for this great recommendation!

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  16. Tara, I'm surprised you don't already own it! This is a MUST read for you.

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  17. I think I'd buy this just for Agatha Christie's omelette recipe. I'm not sure I needed to know that Virago has non-fiction titles, though - dangerous!

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  18. makedoandread, I know...Fleur had to go and mention the shopping edition, sheesh!

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  19. How cool. I love reading about food in novels--somehow it makes the story more personal (or normal--like real life). Must look for this one! Thanks for sharing the snippets!

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  20. I have just popped over from Bloomsbury Bell and love the concept of your blog! This book is now added to my wishlist of good reading for this year.

    You may be interested in a recent post of mine on Persephone Books - why not pop over and say hello!

    From a fellow book/poetry/cottage lover!

    Jeanne

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