By Jael McHenry
I recieved copy from the publisher
This review is going to be short and sweet. I read this a few weeks ago, and don't recall all of the details.
The Kitchen Daughter, when the story opens Ginny's parents just pass away. Her sister, and the family come home to the funeral. Ginny is different she doesn't do well in social situations.She doesn't like to be touched by others. Ginny doesn't feel comfortable after the funeral with the relatives and friends visiting. The relatives, are interferring and her sister Ginny is domineering.
After they leave it is just her sister, Amanda and her left in the house. Amanda has family of her own, and lives a distance from Ginny.
Her sister doesn't feel comfortable with Ginny left in the house by herself. Ginny has Asperger's Syndrome. But, we learn later in the story, she was not diagnosed, it was just suspected.
As anxiety starts to take over, Ginny decides she is going to stir up some recipes. Each time she makes recipes from her dead relatives their spirits come to her. As soon as the smells disappear the spirits disappear.
My Thoughts: I am not going to ruin the rest of the story. First off I loved the book cover. That got me from the start. Isn't it unique?
I wasn't sure if I was going to like the story. It reminded me of another book, The Sadness of Lemon Cake. That one I could not relate to. This one I did. I just enjoyed reading about the spirits coming forth. It worked with the book.
The only person that Ginny relates to is Gert, she is a Jewish woman that has taken care of the house since Ginny was little. Gert asks Ginny to come with her to help set up a "shiva meal". She wants Ginny to help her with the cooking. Ginny agrees. This worked in the story, in Judiasm, there is lots of mysticm in our traditions. This worked for the story with the recipes stirred up the relatives.
There is a mystery that goes along with the story as well. This caused me to keep turning the pages. Even though if you are not a great fan in the spirits, or even cooking this was a lovely story.
Mixed into the story was the acceptance of her sister having Asperger's, letting her live on her own. Ginny's parent's never let Ginny out of their sight, never let her become independent. Her sister, Amanda did not trust her living alone.
I enjoyed reading Kitchen's Daughter, this is a awesome summer read. If you have a chance pick up a copy.