I feel like I have just read one of the most scholarly, unique novels in quite some time. Muriel Barbery, a native of Casablanca, who has taught philosophy in France and now lives in Japan, knows how to get raw human emotions on the page in a terse, captivating, and humorous manner. Her popularity with the release of Elegance of the Hedgehog (2008) probably forcasted her success with this new release, Gourmet Rhapsody.
As the novel opens, the reader meets the internationally famous food critic who has been told by his physician that he has only 48 hours to live.
“I am going to die, but that is of no importance. Since yesterday, since Chabrot, only one thing matters. I am going to die and there is a flavor that has been teasing my taste buds and my heart and I simply cannot recall it. I know that this particular flavor is the first and ultimate truth of my entire life, and that it holds the key to a heart that I have since silenced.”
From this point on, the author organizes the novel into small, short and poignant chapters all written from the point of view of the protagonists’ family members, friends, fellow food afficionados, lovers, and even his dog and cat. Clever beyond clever! Additional chapters have titles which reflect food groups, including meat, fish, ice cream and mayonnaise , among others,and what role they have played in the food critic’s life.
The reader learns that the deathbed quest for the elusive taste takes precedence over the protagonist’s love for his downtrodden, desperate wife, who has received little or rare attention from her husband, as well as his children who have never felt loved, nor wanted. His has been a life lived selfishly and intellectually with his entire focus on food. This novel will pique the interest of all chefs, all food lovers, and even those who have even a vague interest in food.
Being the dog lover that I am, one of my favorite chapters,entitled “The Dog: Rue de Grenelle, the Bedroom” introduced me to “Rhett”. “He was a Dalmatian, and I’d baptized him Rhett, in honor of ‘Gone with the Wind’, my favorite film, because if I had been a woman, I would have been Scarlett–the one who survives in a world that is dying.” When Rhett grabs and quickly devours the coveted Christmas Yule log exquisitely and laboriously prepared by the grandmother, everyone ( once the immediate disappointment and anger subside of the great loss) become greatly amused at Rhett’s aroma during the rest of the holiday. The levity and humor with which Barbery writes gives great delight and joy.
So, does Monsieur Arthens find his nostalgic, long lost flavor before his death? The reader will find out as he voraciously consumes the language of this delectable book as if he were consuming his last feast. This French translation, a good one, takes the reader on a gastronomic voyage, one which he will not soon forget.
-Nan
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