The Writers Table by Valerie Stivers

The Writers Table

 by Valerie Stivers

The Writers Table by Valerie Stivers was published on 9th October by Frances Lincoln.

My thanks to the author and the publisher for sending me a copy to review and to 

Random Things Tours for inviting me on the tour.

Synopsis

A celebration of food and creativity, The Writer’s Table invites you to feast upon the dishes that fuelled great writing. Did you know that Laurie Colwin was known to wash dishes in the bath and that Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton’s favourite drink was an Extra-Dry Martini? In fact, the friends were known to enjoy a three martini lunch. The Writer’s Table brings together 50 favourite recipes from the world’s most beloved authors, offering a glimpse into their kitchen rituals. Each recipe is paired with an introduction to the author and dish, alongside clear instructions and modern ingredients. Some draw from the historical record, others from cookbooks written by the writer, as well as some contemporary recreations of dishes from their work. With beautiful illustrations and gems of knowledge throughout, the book is a treat for the eyes as well as the table. Featured writers and recipes include: Jane Austen’s White Soup, Ernest Hemingway’s Fried Trout, Joan Didion’s Parsley Salad, Franz Kafka’s Hard Pretzels with Caraway Seeds and Emily Dickinson’s Coconut Cake

This is a “food” book with a difference. Valerie looks at different authors in each chapter giving us an insight into either recipes that were mentioned in one of their books or what they would have eaten at the time.

My thoughts

This is not a book to read all in one go; it is one to pick up and read an author at a time. A lot of the recipes may not be appealing to eat, however they are interesting and it makes you realise how times have changed in what we eat and what combinations of food we choose to put together; for instance I personally would not want to eat a leg of mutton stuffed with oysters which is the Charles Dicken’s recipe. However, at the time that may well have been the height of Michelin starred dining !!!

Overall this is an interesting read that shows a different side to the authors we know from their writings and it certainly provides interesting talking points, especially for me , the chapter on D H Lawrence and his “Apology” cake.

The book is enhanced greatly by the superb illustrations by Katie Tomlinson which,like any recipe book, are liberally spread throughout , adding another dimension to the individual chapters. to read, make , and mull over.

About the author

Valerie Stivers is a contributing writer on literature and culture for UnHerd and previously wrote the long-running “Eat Your Words” column for The Paris Review, in which she developed recipes and cooked from classic novels. She now cooks from Catholic literature and the lives of the saints for Our Sunday Visitor Magazine, and writes frequently about books for other publications such as Compact, First Things and The Rumpus.

Katie Tomlinson is an award-winning visual artist and illustrator whose work blends bold linework with vibrant colour and narrative flair. With experience across editorial, publishing, and print design, her illustrations have appeared in international campaigns and independent publications alike.