Immoveable Feast by John Baxter. A Paris Christmas

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 Drool and Chuckle.  

I thoroughly enjoyed this amusing, sumptuous excursion into French food and customs blended with nostalgic reminiscence of an Australian childhood as John Baxter reveals his preparations for the perfect Christmas meal.  

 

This is one of those books that will make you hungry and want to get right into the kitchen and create something marvelous.  I also learned a few things about French culture I didn’t know like: “You would no more bring food or drink to a French house than arrive at one in America bringing your own plate, knife, and fork.” It’s an insult to arrive with a bottle of wine in hand implying that the host will not provide enough wine or one to your satisfaction.  I never thought of it that way.  Good to know.  Maybe stick to the flowers or would that be insinuating they have an ugly garden?  I’m not quite sure, the author didn’t mention anything about that. 

 

I also didn’t realize how very seriously the French take their cheeses.  “Cheese to the French is an absolute, an axiom of cuisine. Correctly experiencing its pleasures requires education, discrimination, even love.  Knowing when and where to eat it, how, with whom, and what quantity are matters of gravity, worth a lifetime of effort.”  Hmmm, now there’s a hobby I could get into.  

 

In all, this book is an uplifting, quick, and delicious read, perfect for a 2020 pick-me-up—and we could all use that this year!

 

Wishing you all the best for healthy and happy holidays despite the coronavirus!


Happy reading!


Annette

 

Other non-fiction books set in France that I loved:

 

-A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle and C’est La Vie by Suzy Gershman 

 

-French Dirt by Richard Goodman

 


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