3CS Book Club CDA discussion

I had been expecting a kitchen dunce to be given the task of cooking a French family's Christmas dinner. Instead I am treated to tales of the man's culinary education in advance of the project.

I followed his travels as he sought the ingredients. Brave man!

John Baxter has an ability to move you into a sentimental moment with the quick observation. He touched me with a different type of reflection on what it is to be in the grips of senility, something close to me as my father is has been loosing touch with the here and now, much to my distress. John Baxter notices the adoptive Uncle, in French culture a respected elder, Jean-Paul, now appearing in rumpled clothing and bedroom slippers. He is "maneuvered into his rightful seat at the head of the table, from which he looked around with the contentment of someone who lived in the perpetual present, with no memories to haunt him and no fears for what the future held."
Reading that put me into a different state of positive reflection on memory loss, and the importance of a happy attitude, and respect for all who sit at the Family table.

Not a book I would choose to read! It was like reading someone's diary!

Dianne, I find it a cross genre book—memoir + cooking + culture.
The author's voice surprised me. At times we hear the voice of the bon-vivant raconteur Baxter is, a product of his generation with shades of the macho-sexism that younger male authors might avoid these days. At other times we hear a poet’s reflection on mankind’s physical and spiritual connection with the earth.

I enjoyed the book, but it is not one I would call a favorite. The insight into French traditions and food was interesting and I liked the funny anecdotes that were sprinkled in the chapters. I could have done without the look who I know/have met references because that didn't add to the book for me. Glad I read it though, as it is always good to experience different types of writing and materials.

I liked the book overall--what's not to like in reading about preparing and eating good food? Ha ha! But I have to admit to being offput by the occasional sexist comment, such as using the name slut to refer to a woman. It wasn't a total joykiller but I hate hearing men refer to women that way. On the other hand John Baxter also wrote "Carnal Knowledge: the Concise Dictionary of Modern Sex." Maybe he was in a carnal language space--actually I wonder if anyone has read the latter and is it good?