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What Members Thought
Sometimes this novel moved me deeply, and I found the premise to be both delightful and dark. What a gift and burden Rose has, to taste feelings and lineage in every bite! I was also really compelled by her brother Joseph, and his own gift/burden. I loved how the novel skipped years and compressed time. That was a real surprise to me, each time it happened.
I liked the book overall, thus 3 stars (goodreads has a bad inflation going on, guys! 3 stars means "I liked it"). I didn't love the book, t ...more
I liked the book overall, thus 3 stars (goodreads has a bad inflation going on, guys! 3 stars means "I liked it"). I didn't love the book, t ...more
I just finished reading this book, and I feel like I've been walloped.
I've always enjoyed Aimee Bender's stories, in the shrewd way she mixes surrealism, cutting observations, and exquisitely lovely turns of phrases. Her stories are light, quick jabs, and I wasn't sure how her writing would fare in a novel. But oh jeez, this book.
Every thought in this novel is so clear and so lovely, as if Bender had written this novel over and over until each phrase reflected its exact meaning. Although the co ...more
I've always enjoyed Aimee Bender's stories, in the shrewd way she mixes surrealism, cutting observations, and exquisitely lovely turns of phrases. Her stories are light, quick jabs, and I wasn't sure how her writing would fare in a novel. But oh jeez, this book.
Every thought in this novel is so clear and so lovely, as if Bender had written this novel over and over until each phrase reflected its exact meaning. Although the co ...more
I loved this book. I was hooked from the beginning and did not want it to end. Rose could sense people’s feelings by tasting whatever they made, starting with her mother’s lemon cake. This started around the time of her 9th birthday and the book carries her through her relationships with her dissatisfied and lonely mother, her non expressive precise father and her troubled but gifted brother, Joseph. It ends when she has grown up and with an anticlimactic surprise.
I love the artistry of the writ ...more
I love the artistry of the writ ...more
Aimee Bender's "The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake" is a surreal tale about young Rose who one day comes to the shocking and life-altering realization that she can taste the hidden and innermost emotions of people through consuming the food cooked by them. Instead of using this to her advantage, Rose finds herself in a dilemma, especially when she begins to taste the deep-seated discontent in her mother's cooking, and later on she tastes the betrayal brought on by her mother's affair. You witn
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I am an avid, unapologetic, and passionate fan of Aimee Bender. I have read both her novels and short stories and have been entertained and impressed. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake is the book that introduced me to Bender and her work. I loved this novel when I first read it in 2010. I promoted it and obsessed over it and encouraged friends to read it. I have had the great joy of arguing its merits and debating the author’s style and choices with fellow book lovers.
When my Book Club chos ...more
When my Book Club chos ...more
Loved it! Not too long ago this would have been classified as science fiction, which I used to love. This is better- a human story with science fiction aspects (most science fiction doesn't seem to have ordinary humans as we know them).
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clearly the strangest books I've ever read but I couldn't put it down! I think this is a book you can come away with something different each time and will def. re-read this one.
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Tender, deep, and thoughful. Full of heart, and very intelligent. I could relate to this book almost COMPLETELY. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, Aimee Bender!!! I have finally found someone who understands my brain...
Quirky!
Talk about a quirky, dysfunctional family. I enjoyed this story but found it lacking in some areas. There was a nice flow and my interest continued to increase as I read until I reached the last chapter. It felt as if I had been cut off or missed something crucial.
I liked this more than I thought I might, but it still seemed sort of unfinished to me, as if she had more she was going to write.
Aimee Bender is so good with language, so convincing with impossible scenarios, and I am always astounded how I am drawn in to her magic stories as if they happen everyday, next door. I came away wondering what my undiscovered power might be.
Sep 28, 2010
Carrie
marked it as to-read
