Tag Archives: Hungry Hearts

The Slender One by Caroline Tung Richmond

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Slender One
Author: Caroline Tung Richmond
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Family, Food
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I love that throughout this short story, Charlie is trying to figure out how his school and personal life fit together. He also has the added challenges of racism to contend with and people’s assumptions. And there’s a bit of a paranormal aspect that he also has to figure out how to balance.

In his journey to figure out how to move in the world, I love that Charlie’s attention switches from racist Helen to lovely Andie. I also love that Andie is not only interested in engaging with his family and culture, but also that she just jumps onboard the supernatural train and tries to help him.

The Slender One is not just about growing up and figuring out your own identity, there is also the spirits of the departed an dhow they try to move on to the next life. I love that in this it’s food which is a vessel for comfort and happiness. And using this, those who have left this world with unfinished business are able to move on.

<- Moments to ReturnGimme Some Sugar ->

Image source: Goodreads

Gimme Some Sugar by Jay Coles

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Gimme Some Sugar
Author: Jay Coles
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Family, Food
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I love that this short story is all about soul food made from the soul. It’s also about family and love. And the ways in which food reminds us of who we are. Leo’s love for his family and the catharsis of cooking his love for them is beautiful and drew me in from the very beginning.

Even though this story focuses on a cooking competition, I wasn’t’ convinced that Leo would actually win in the end. It was fun spending the whole time trying to figure out if Leo’s food would actually win the day, or if he would just find a way to be closer to his mother and grandma.

Although this was a fairly simple and enjoyable story, I also enjoyed the fact that there was a little commentary about the cost of life and medical care in the US. It hit a little close to home as I currently have a parent fighting cancer, but, unlike in the US, I live in a country that makes it a lot more affordable to live.

The Hungry Heart Row cooking competition, quite honestly, just sounds delicious. And it definitely made me salivate while I read this.

<- The Slender OneThe Missing Ingredient ->

Image source: Goodreads

Moments to Return by Adi Alsaid

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Moments to Return
Author: Adi Alsaid
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Death, Food
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

At least to a degree, everyone is aware of death knocking at the door. At least, that’s how I’ve always felt. And I really enjoyed the fact that this story focused on that fear. And took it to a whole new level. There’s knowing in an abstract way, and then having an existential crisis over it.

This whole short story is about finding a ‘cure’ for the fear of death. I really like that although there wasn’t a complete cure for this fear, it was also hinted at. Particularly as the story closes – just an idea of curing a paralysing fear.

Part of the ‘cure’ found throughout this is all about stolen moments in time. I like that instead of not being afraid of death, there is a focus on the moments in life that make it worth living. The moments that you return to when you’re having a moment of fear.

This was a beautiful short story. One that reminds you to stop and take in the world around you. The fact that it’s done through food just made it all that much more tantalising.

<- Sugar and SpiteThe Slender One ->

Image source: Goodreads

Sugar and Spite by Rin Chupeco

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Sugar and Spite
Author: Rin Chupeco
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Family, Food
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

There is something about the idea of magic being tied up in cooking that I’ve always enjoyed. I mean, cooking is, for me, an act of love and giving, and magic is much the same thing (if you’re looking at white magic that is). Which meant that I was already predisposed to enjoy this story from the very beginning. The fact that it explored another culture was just another moment of joy for me. And nailed that final feeling of joy into my happy, little coffin.

I love that the Lolas in this spend a lot of time subtly trying to teach the difference in vengeance and standing up for oneself. I mean, vengeance for vengeance sake isn’t right. But also, letting yourself be completely run over by others isn’t right either. It’s definitely a fine line, and one I’m sure is easy to blur. But it definitely is one that works.

This story deals wonderfully with the past and the present. Family traditions and modern spins. It’s a great story that is about women, power and striking out on your own. One that I looked forward to diving into again in the future.

<- The Grand Ishq AdventureMoments to Return ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Grand Ishq Adventure by Sandhya Menon

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Grand Ishq Adventure
Author: Sandhya Menon
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Food, Romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I loved this little romance, it was sweet and cute. And, although I completely guessed that Prem was the one writing in and just why he was writing in, it was still a fun journey. After all, what better way to get advice on how to approach the person you are interested in, than by asking them? The fact that this involved food and gaining courage… well, it just made it all that much better.

Honestly, I kind of want to try this challenge – I mean, I’ve eaten out by myself before, but I’ve never done so without using some kind of “shield”. The idea of going out to a restaurant and eating out alone, without a shield, and just enjoying the world flow by. That kind of appeals, and scares me. Plus, doing so in new locations and with new experiences… that just makes it all that much more appealing.

I love that this is a story set in the between time of adulthood. That moment when you are about to jump into college and your first forays away from the parents. But, you’re not quite read to do so. Throughout this tale, the narrator sees people from her high school – and in a way says goodbye to that part of her life before embarking on the next steps. Her journey is not just about finding bravery in being alone, but also in saying goodbye to the past. A seriously enjoyable short story.

<- Kings and QueensSugar and Spite ->

Image source: Goodreads

Rain by Sangu Mandanna

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Rain
Author: Sangu Mandanna
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Family, Food
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

This is a beautiful and touching short story about the grief of losing a loved one. And the long process that people go through to start moving on from that. Father and daughter are constantly struggling to find a way to say goodbye, and to find their way back to one another. And a beautiful change of pace in Hungry Hearts Row is just what they need to get themselves back on track.

Food is a pretty potent love language in my family – it comes from marrying a Maltese man and being a little food obsessed myself. It made the idea of father and daughter reconnecting over their mother / wife’s favourite food all that much more meaningful. I mean, what better way to remember someone? I myself tend to bake cakes and bread when I’m missing my grandfather – it was something that we shared and I still heavily associate with him.

Food is not only a great love language, but it is also great for healing and stirring up memories. It’s nice that in this, the first attempts to get the well-remembered curry right go epically wrong. And it is in slowly getting it right that father and daughter are able to reconnect and begin to talk to one another again. It’s only when they finally start to find laughter again that they also find the secret ingredient to the recipe.

For me, this story was all about food and love and healing. And the power of food in that healing. But, there was also the great symbolism of rain throughout that made me smile. I mean, every key moment throughout this journey is symbolised by rain, and it’s a great metaphor for the overwhelming emotions that are being experienced. Many nuances and moments throughout this that I seriously enjoyed. Definitely an author I will be reading again in the future.

<- Hungry HeartsKings and Queens ->

Image source: Goodreads

Kings and Queens by Elsie Chapman

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Kings and Queens
Author: Elsie Chapman
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Family, Food
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I really wasn’t expecting this short story to be about gang life to be quite frank. I’m not quite sure what I anticipated. But I think, from the cover of this collection (I know, you should never judge a book by its cover), I was expecting something a little bit more… cuddly. And I love that this wasn’t. I mean, I loved this short story completely. And part of that was because it was such a surprise, but it was also brilliantly written.

One of the things that I loved about this is that it is a story, at the centre, about family. And food, but mostly family. I really enjoyed how the mother manages to get her final revenge, in an incredibly symbolic and surprising way. I figured that this story was going to end in death, but I actually thought that it might be the death of the narrator as she tried to enact her revenge.

Whilst I really enjoyed reading this story, it was also kind of difficult. I can’t imagine the pain of having a brain dead child. Particularly when this brain death was caused by the actions of someone you love and respect. And then you have to look at her killers face and smile… I understand the anger that just seeps out of this storyline.

This is a fairly serious storyline, with a whole lot of anger and death. I love that there was delicious food that acted as a counterpoint to this more serious storyline. In fact, there was a lot of food in this that I kind of want to try my hand at making. Or at least, its inspired a few dishes in my mind…

<- RainThe Grand Ishq Adventure ->

Image source: Goodreads