In the winter or 1970, the South Of France found itself with six culinary figures who more or less coincidentally all found themselves at the same place at the same time. Julie Child, James Beard, and MFK Fisher were among this group. Together this group talked, and cooked, and drank and ate – discussing taste, and recipes, and the future of food.
Cook books were being written… history was being made, and this book made from photographs and journal entries of MFK Fisher compile what happened… one season…. in 1970.
I have been looking forward to this book ever since I learned it was about food and chefs and a gathering that by all rights made history! What an exciting time! This gathering was one that changed food as we think about it.
Author Luke Barr, nephew to MFK Fisher, puts together a setting from the journals and notes MFK had written of this time and recreates a time that foodies of today would have bought tickets to see, me among them.
John Rubinstein narrates this audio very well.
While I did enjoy listening to this historical event, I did not love it as much as I thought it would. I found some points to drag longer than necessary. I have this in paperback as well, I may try it again someday in that format and perhaps I can sink more into the storyline then.
Adding this to Weekend Cooking:
- Audible Audio Edition
- Listening Length: 9 hours and 7 minutes
- Program Type: Audiobook
- Version: Unabridged
- Publisher: Random House Audio
- Audible.com Release Date: October 22, 2013
Book Journey 
I agree – the production was fantastic but the story did drag in places.
I would be willing to try it again…
I read the a print arc and agree that it dragged at times. At the same time, who knew there was such drama in their world.
Right? It is good but didnt hold me. Not sure why.
I loved this and didn’t find it draggy. But I might be in the minority
I think a lot of people loved this book Candace, not sure why I didnt get into it.
Sounds such an interesting book.
It is super cool because it happened!
I think I would find this tough to read or listen to without picturing Meryl Streep dressed as Julia.
LOL, good point!
I’ve had this one on my TBR list for awhile now…I need to get to it! I loved Julia Child’s memoir, My Life in France, and this sounds a bit similar. Plus, I need to learn more about MFK Fisher. Glad you enjoyed it…I’ll probably read it rather than listen.
I was pretty busy while listening to it so that may have taken away part of my enjoyment.
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I’m reading this on my Kindle now. So far not as engaging as My Life in France, but still interesting as it features so many notable food people.
Interesting – love all things French … except their bureaucracy. Cheers
I would rather read a memoir than a journal, because the author has really polished and edited the work. If you change a journal too much to make it sound better or be more consistently interesting, I guess you can’t publish it as a journal!