I just sighed as I finished reading My Life in France, Julia Child's posthumously published memoir of the years between 1948 and about 1974. Alex Prud'homme, Julia's great-nephew, interviewed her and chatted with her extensively during the last few months of her life, recording all her stories and anecdotes. In the foreword he says that he did his best to write the book in her voice, using only her words.
I thought I loved Julia Child before reading this, and now I can't even describe how much more I adore her! I have so much admiration for all she accomplished, starting with no cooking experience at all and really very little exposure to fine food. What started it all was nothing more than her first dinner in France: a magnificent sole meunière that changed her life. I became so impressed with her tireless fascination with all the hows and whys of everything culinary, her determination to do everything the right way or not at all, and her endless supply of good cheer.
I was also thoroughly taken with the love story of Julia and her husband Paul. They were constant companions and forever encouraging and supporting one another in their endeavors. He was quite a Renaissance man and seemed to treat her as a full and equal partner in everything they did. All the photos in the book were taken by Paul, and some of them got me a little choked up, to see Julia looking so young and happy in Paris back in the '50s.
If you are a lover of all things foodie, and particularly if you have a special place in your heart for Julia, this is a must-read. The food descriptions will have you salivating, and every page sparkles with Julia's enthusiasm and joie de vivre.
Yes I also just loved this book. Hard to believe that someone so accomplished started out knowing nothing and learned everything on her own because she was just interested in anything connected with food. There's a new book I also enjoyed called Backstage with Julia : my years with Julia Child by Nancy Verde Barr.
Posted by: Lisa | July 12, 2007 at 05:30 PM
Thanks, you just added to my bedside table load. I've got Bourdain, a biography on Antoine Careme, Omnivore's Dilemma and Hugh Fearnley Whitingstall still in the queue...*sigh* will I ever read anything again that isn't food related?
Posted by: jo | July 12, 2007 at 05:37 PM
Please tell me you've read Heat (Bill Buford)? If not, put all others aside. I read most of it in the New Yorker, but I finally just my copy of the book back from an endless stream of borrowers -- I haven't actually read the whole thing straight through yet!
Next food-read for me is Animal, Mineral, Vegetable.
Posted by: Karen | July 12, 2007 at 05:42 PM
I can well imagine the sigh upon finishing. Oh jeez, I see another bookstore trip in my near future...
I pass around MFK Fischer's "Art of Eating" to friends for a taste of bygone romantic days. Now I can't wait to read about Julia and Paul, especially.
In the final months of this last school year, I ended my bickering boys' strife over morning PBS cartoons (Clifford vs. Curious George) by tuning in to Julia's "Cooking With Master Chefs" on another station. They were riveted, to my eternal amusement. Absolutely no more arguing. Not that they'll eat sauteed sweetbreads in puff pastry, but it sure looks cool.
Posted by: mommyralf | July 13, 2007 at 12:23 AM
I've loved Julia Childs since her days on PBS. Thanks for the heads up. Next on my list as well is Animal,Mineral, Vegetable by Barbara Kingsolver. I just finished reading "The Illuminator" by Brenda Rickman Vantrease. Any other historical fiction fans?
Posted by: Deb C | July 13, 2007 at 10:35 AM