Edible Stories

Best known for his nonfiction works (Cod; Salt), Kurlansky rarely dabbles in pure fiction. His last work of fiction, Boogaloo on 2nd Avenue: A Novel of Pastry, Guilt, and Music, was an ambitious effort focused on the intersections of culture, love, and, of course, food. A similar concept is applied in this work, with a focus on food as the thread that ties humanity together. Though this book is presented as a novel, the main story is hidden within a gumbo of 16 different vignettes: blended versions of characters and ingredients, rearranged into a multitude of subplots. From hot dogs to hot pot, Kurlansky reaffirms the universal importance of food without the history lesson. As with his nonfiction, Kurlansky is an enjoyable author because his enthusiasm for his subject is undeniable. This latest work of fiction allows him to take the reader along on the journey, not just through the facts.