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hollyd19's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
3.25
Home Cooking is what would have happened if, when Midge Maisel took a brisket to the bar to get Joel on the set list in the pilot of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, she got discovered by a magazine editor and became a food writer instead of a comedian. One who is particularly obsessed with baked chicken, might I add!
This collection of essays reflects on cooking, hospitality, eating, and socializing. Colwin is witty, dry, and charmingly self-deprecating. She has company over regularly despite really just wanting to sit in her pajamas and eat food directly from the skillet. I was particularly tickled by the pieces on kitchen disasters, childhood favorites, picky eaters, the worst meals she has ever been served. Also, I do not like fish, but was somehow mesmerized by the essay on how to cook one properly.
I could see this book being wildly relatable to a certain group in a certain era, but at times I did struggle to connect with it. Growing up in a different region and socioeconomic class meant some parts just didn’t land for me. Finally, this book was written in the mid-80s and, well... you can tell. It’s got some pretty dated (and a few borderline problematic) bits, that just didn’t age well with the way humor has evolved.
This collection of essays reflects on cooking, hospitality, eating, and socializing. Colwin is witty, dry, and charmingly self-deprecating. She has company over regularly despite really just wanting to sit in her pajamas and eat food directly from the skillet. I was particularly tickled by the pieces on kitchen disasters, childhood favorites, picky eaters, the worst meals she has ever been served. Also, I do not like fish, but was somehow mesmerized by the essay on how to cook one properly.
I could see this book being wildly relatable to a certain group in a certain era, but at times I did struggle to connect with it. Growing up in a different region and socioeconomic class meant some parts just didn’t land for me. Finally, this book was written in the mid-80s and, well... you can tell. It’s got some pretty dated (and a few borderline problematic) bits, that just didn’t age well with the way humor has evolved.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia