Book Beginnings – ELZA’S KITCHEN by Marc Fitten
Elza’s Kitchen Synopsis
For years, Elza has gotten by. A divorcee out of culinary school, she started her own little restaurant in the mid-size Hungarian city of Delibab, and she’s grown a decent business, cooking quality versions of Hungarian classics and serving them with a smile. But lately her smile has gotten tired. Her loveless affair with her sous-chef has become an irritation. She’s getting sick of the same old dishes and the same old customers. And in these nascent years of capitalism, it will take some competition – both personal and professional – to make her see that her restaurant, and her happiness, are worth fighting for.
Marc Fitten fell in love with Hungary after years spent living there, and his second novel is a celebration of its culture and cuisine, as well as a portrait of a woman and her country in transition. (Amazon)
The Book Beginning is:
Elza woke alone. Alone and distraught over it.
I did not read Marc Fitten’s first novel, Valeria’s Last Stand, but read lots of positive reviews so I was excited to receive this next title of his from Bloomsbury for review.
It is early days but so far I am enjoying the slightly offbeat and direct prose.
Find out more about this novel – Elza’s Kitchen by Marc Fitten ( Amazon | TheNile – Aus | Kobobooks )
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I’ve seen reviews of this book around. Sounds an interesting story.
I love movies set in Eastern Europe but didn’t know about this one yet, so thanks for bringing it to my attention. I also love food, so this sounds good! Thanks for sharing
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Juli @ Universe in Words
I have had my eye on this one. Love the beginning. Short and showing the emotions of her situation.
Here’s MY FRIDAY MEMES POST
I’m curious to know why her kitchen is the title of this book.
Here’s my Book Beginnings Post.
This sounds like the kind of book I adore. Thank you for introducing me to this author and his books.
Here’s my Friday 56/Beginnings post.
A book about love AND cooking! The premise sounds really promising and the first line is good, too.
Mystica, Juli – The Eastern European setting is as much a part of the story as the goings on in Elza’s restaurant.
Laurel – Yes, the writing style is very direct, much like the main character.
Chris – I’m thinking the use of ‘kitchen’ in her title has at least two references. The first very direct – the restaurant she runs is her life. The second – kitchen is used as a metaphor, along the lines of ‘in life we reap what we sew’.
Sandra, Tammi – The descriptions of food are mouth watering.
I have this one to read too. Just need to make time to red it!