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shubka's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Racism, Classism, and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Toxic friendship, and Sexual content
jayisreading's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Racism, Death, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Classism, and Violence
Moderate: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Eating disorder
Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, and Car accident
alleahwebb's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Classism, Confinement, Colonisation, Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Pandemic/Epidemic, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Blood, Physical abuse, and Violence
scifi_rat's review against another edition
3.75
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Racism, Eating disorder, Sexual content, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Animal death, Classism, Confinement, Grief, Pandemic/Epidemic, Blood, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Vomit, Violence, and Toxic relationship
lorenag5's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Confinement, Deportation, Animal death, Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, Cultural appropriation, Xenophobia, Slavery, Sexual content, Classism, and Fire/Fire injury
wynnebirchmaple's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Lesbophobia, Grief, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, Fatphobia, Classism, Vomit, Sexual content, Pandemic/Epidemic, Confinement, Sexual violence, Racism, Emotional abuse, Cultural appropriation, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Eating disorder, Cannibalism, and Colonisation
It’s not as bad as the content warnings might suggest but it tries to be for brief moments. Is this why Ron Charles hated this book? I enjoyed itdhritigupta's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
i didn’t like the flashback format and the constant metaphors went over my head sometimes. i didn’t find the romance compelling or believable (which made the epilogue chapter feel off). the themes were somehow repetitive and hard to discern at the same time.
while the descriptions of food were lush, the writing overall was too literary for my taste
Graphic: Animal death, Physical abuse, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
C. Pam Zhang’s How Much of These Hills is Gold was one of my favourite books of 2020 so to say I was looking forward to her sophomore novel is a bit of an understatement. And while Land Of Milk and Honey didn’t capture my heart in quite the same way it is an incredibly accomplished novel that has much to recommend it.
It is set in a near future where toxic smog envelops the world killing most of the crops and animals. The majority of the world grapples with hunger and starvation, except for a private enclave on a mountaintop in Italy where the very wealthy can enjoy meals and a lifestyle now totally unimaginable to most. That this novel is so different from its predecessor speaks volumes about Zhang as an author- she’s no one trick pony whose books will stay safely in a single wheelhouse.
The obvious standout feature of this novel is its food writing which is sizzlingly sensual - the smells, the texture, the visual appeal, and of course the taste. I’ve never before read a book that’s made me so hungry - even for foods that I don’t normally enjoy.
I also really loved the political commentary - the exploration of the privilege afforded to and extracted by the wealthy in times of crisis, a crisis very much of their making, and the moral and ethical implications of this. Is it okay for the powerful and privileged to enjoy a life of pleasure while most of the world suffers or could/should that money be put to other uses that would benefit more people? Trick question, obviously but Zhang really highlights the socioeconomic iniquities inherent in capitalism and their obsceneness. But she also raises the issue of whether the wealthy can do valuable things that democratic governments cannot.
Finally, I loved the characterisation of the main character which was nuanced and with lots of moral ambiguity. She’s not wholly likeable yet is written in such a way that the reader can still feel for her, understand her motivations and relate to her. It’s much harder to find the good in her employer or his daughter, yet they were written with enough depth that they never became mere caricatures
I think the characterisation of the protagonist, the unnamed chef, is a key reason this book didn’t capture my heart. But it did make her very memorable and in some ways I think it takes more skill to create a character like her than one who is totally loveable and who tugs at a reader’s heartstrings.
A very clever, well-executed and thought-provoking novel exploring some of the key issues of our age.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Classism, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
savvylit's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thirdly, Land of Milk and Honey is also a critique of anti-Asian sentiment and stereotyping in the culinary world and beyond. For one: Francophilia still dominates the industry to the detriment of nearly every other regional fare. Lastly, and certainly not least, this novel is a literary romance that is nuanced, sexy, and devastating. The sensual descriptions that Zhang so expertly applies throughout the novel don't only apply to cuisine.
Zhang's debut, How Much of These Hills is Gold, is one of my favorite books. Land of Milk and Honey has already joined its predecessor as a book that I will never stop recommending. C Pam Zhang is just such a brilliant writer. Her words are crisp, immersive, delectable, and - dare I say - near perfection. Consider me a lifelong devotee of her work.
Thank you so much @riverheadbooks for sending me an advance reader copy of Land of Milk and Honey in exchange for my honest review! I nearly cried when I opened this mail. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racism, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Car accident, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Animal death, Classism, and Death of parent