After a culinary near-disaster yesterday (and it was almost a near-culinary disaster, too), when I became so involved in working out how to conclude chapter ten of my wip that I completely forgot about the pasta sauce I was cooking, I started to think about food – and drink – in books. Food is one of those book-themes we encounter time and again, from picture books onwards – remember The Tiger Who Came To Tea?
Then there was Ma in the Little House books, who made such delicious cornbread, and biscuits and gravy. And although apparently there’s no mention of ‘lashings of ginger beer’ in Enid Blyton’s books, she describes some very yummy picnics and midnight feasts – I had my first encounter with radishes in the Famous Five books. I remember being slightly disappointed when I came to taste one…
Moving on to crime novels , I always enjoy the food sections of Elizabeth George’s books – they contrast so deliciously. DI Thomas Lynley dines in exclusive restaurants and knows exactly what to do with an oyster, while Sergeant Barbara Havers lives on crisps and unidentifiable remains from her fridge.
One of the most startling – and fun – ‘food’ books I’ve ever read is Ian Flitcroft’s The Reluctant Cannibals. The characters here enjoy some very exclusive grub…
My pasta sauce survived – just. Next time, I’ll use the timer!
linda huber 
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