The Last Chinese Chef: A Novel by Nicole Mones
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Book Reviews of The Last Chinese Chef: A Novel
Book Review: Elegant and delicious
Summary: 5 Stars
Like one of the Chinese banquets Ms. Mones eloquently describes, The Last Chinese Chef is subtle, leisurely and nuanced, serving up a sequence of lovely things that are not what they appear to be. From the first pages, the reader senses that this is something special, like being at a Chinese banquet, and happily waits for the next course, knowing it will be extraordinary.
On the surface, it's the story of a grieving woman faced with the possibility she didn't know her dead husband as well as she thought and is compelled to travel to China to confront the facts. Her serendipitous encounter with a young Chinese American chef with his own challenges enables both to move beyond their present difficulties. On a deeper level, this is a love letter to Chinese culture and cuisine past, present, and future, and is richly populated with wonderful characters such as Sam's three uncles, who provide encouragement and comic relief, and Sam's ancestor who wrote the original Last Chinese Chef--authored by Ms. Mones--that is excerpted at the beginning of each chapter. Different aspects of historical and contemporary Chinese society, such as the Cultural Revolution, American ex-pats living and working in Beijing, the contemporary Chinese worship of money, and the double moral standard that still affects Chinese women are deftly illustrated.
The Last Chinese Chef is a little gem. Taking the reader inside another culture, it is enormously satisfying as a story, and a crash course in Chinese cuisine. Just don't read it when hungry.
Book Review: A book with many layers--like a fine Chinese meal!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is a delight on many levels. It informs the reader as to the political history of China and the way that Chinese cuisine has been inextricably linked with the politics for many generations. It describes the intricacy of planning and preparing Chinese menus which satisfy the eye and the taste buds, while entertaining, educating, and delighting the person who is dining. It discusses the balance a chef should strive for in taste and texture, and brings a whole new dimension to westerners reading about Chinese cooking for the first time.
All of these things are intertwined in a plot about an American food writer who goes to China to find out about her dead husband's past and to interview a fine, young Chinese chef. The author lived and worked in China for many years and she brings her inside knowledge of Chinese culture to this book, while presenting to the reader a treat that that is every bit as satisfying as a fine Chinese meal.
Book Review: Left me eager to learn more about Chinese imperial cuisine!
Summary: 5 Stars
Prior to starting the book, I wondered to what extent Chinese cuisine and historical facts would be misconstrued, as sometimes is the case when books (especially fictional ones) are written by Western authors. Happily, this is not one of those books.
Nicole Mones has created a wonderful piece of literature, seamlessly weaving fact and fiction and the past/present into a compelling story. A bonus - factual sources are distinguished from fictional aspects of the storyline in the Author's Notes section. The depth of her research is obvious and reflected in her references to specific dishes, many situated in historical times. She also draws from her past experiences of being a resident and business owner in China.
I had a difficult time putting the book down and highly recommend this book if you are curious about Chinese imperial cuisine. A few recipes are included at the end of the book and can also be found on the author's website.
Book Review: Monese works soars
Summary: 5 Stars
Nicole Monese has published 3 books, all superb. She spends years doing meticulous research on her subjects: food, porcelain and archeology all located in China. The books are rich in characterizations, history and poltics. She weaves an intricate tapestry of the past and present-day Chinese life. And her books all focus on strong women protagonists. I recommend her books often and frinends are uniformly grateful for the tip. Why isn't she more reknown? Her work is wonderful. Anthoer one is coming but not soon. She takes years creating these books and it's evident. They are big books but get all 3 you won't regret the time spnet.Book Review: From China with Love
Summary: 5 Stars
Nicole Mones spoke at the Day of Authors, charitable event in Fullerton, CA in 2009. Her presentation of her personal experience doing business in China as a young woman (before diplomatic relations with communist China were established) was delightful. I bought this book and slowly ambled through it. It is a page turner but of a different type. There is gentility to the story: a mix of love of fine dining and food preparation, an exploration of the connection between Chinese culture and cuisine, and love. Surprisingly educational as well as a fine story.