I must admit that I saw the beautiful cover and the stunning
sprayed edges of The Language of Food and could not resist buying a copy, but
wow, what an amazing book! It really does not disappoint.
It is based on the life of Eliza Acton, who in the 1800s
went on to write one of the best-selling cookery books.
Eliza is a poet and has already published a volume of poem
when she visits a publisher in London. She is shocked when he does not want her
poems and instead commissions her to write a cook book. While not at all
thrilled initially with the concept – she has never cooked before, when Eliza’s
circumstances change, she takes on the challenge and it changes her outlook on
life completely.
Ann is from an extremely poor family and despite being able
to read, she has very few prospects. However, she finds employment at Eliza who
has recently moved to the area with her mother. Soon their lives become
intertwined with their mutual passion for recipes and cooking.
Eliza cooks with her kitchen maid Ann Kirby and the novel is told
in the alternating voices. It also brings in a fascinating look at the social history
of the time.
The Language of Food is beautifully written and deeply compelling
– I read it in two sittings. The descriptions are so vivid that you can almost
smell the book cooking and the freshly baked cakes coming out of the oven.
It also highlights the vast difference in society at the
time, especially the devastating rural poverty and the contrast that existed
between town and country.
I highly recommend this book.
5 stars
