Every bit as masterful and moving as I had been promised it would be.

Riveting and brutal. I can't believe I haven't read this book before now!

Loved this charming, whimsical, and strangely sad coming of age novel set in 1930s England. Blogged about it here.

Beautiful and harrowing. I picked this novel up because it is frequently mentioned in broad surveys of food-focused literature, and indeed there are many important scenes that take place over meals as well as detailed descriptions of the never-ending domestic labor that Ginny and Rose undertake on the farm. But I hardly made note of these, because I was swept up in the minutiae of their family drama, neighborhood gossip, and domestic abuse. 

I really enjoyed this book, although I was surprised by the turn it eventually takes. This post is a little rumination on the role of food in the title character's life.