false 2719 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890m/2719.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890s/2719.jpg In Paris, 1934, Binh has accompanied his employers, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, to the train station for their departure to America. His own destination is unclear: will he go with "the Steins," stay in France, or return to his native Vietnam? Binh has fled his homeland in disgrace, leaving behind his malevolent charlatan of a father and his self-sacrificing mother. For five years, he has been the live-in cook at the famous apartment at 27 rue de Fleurus.
Before Binh's decision is revealed, his mesmerizing narrative catapults us back to his youth in French-colonized Vietnam, his years as a galley hand at sea, and his days turning out fragrant repasts for the doyennes of the Lost Generation. Binh knows far more than the contents of the Steins' pantry: he knows their routines and intimacies, their manipulations and follies. With wry insight, he views Stein and Toklas ensconced in rueful domesticity.
But is Binh's account reliable? A lost soul, he is a late-night habitue of the Paris demimonde, an exile and an alien, a man of musings and memories, and, possibly, lies. Love is the prize that has eluded him, from his family to the men he has sought out in his far-flung journeys, often at his peril.
Intricate, compelling, and witty, the novel weaves in historical characters, from Stein and Toklas to Paul Robeson and Ho Chi Minh, with remarkable originality. Flavors, seas, sweat, tears -- The Book of Salt is an inspired feast of storytelling riches.]]> 2719 9 2983201 15 6 2003 The Book of Salt: A Novel total:992|5:183|4:339|3:312|2:108|1:50| 992 3473 1520 205 1852 3.50 996 206 20782558 604640 2719 0618446885 9780618446889 182 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890m/2719.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890s/2719.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2719.The_Book_of_Salt_A_Novel 3.51 911 In Paris, 1934, Binh has accompanied his employers, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, to the train station for their departure to America. His own destination is unclear: will he go with "the Steins," stay in France, or return to his native Vietnam? Binh has fled his homeland in disgrace, leaving behind his malevolent charlatan of a father and his self-sacrificing mother. For five years, he has been the live-in cook at the famous apartment at 27 rue de Fleurus.
Before Binh's decision is revealed, his mesmerizing narrative catapults us back to his youth in French-colonized Vietnam, his years as a galley hand at sea, and his days turning out fragrant repasts for the doyennes of the Lost Generation. Binh knows far more than the contents of the Steins' pantry: he knows their routines and intimacies, their manipulations and follies. With wry insight, he views Stein and Toklas ensconced in rueful domesticity.
But is Binh's account reliable? A lost soul, he is a late-night habitue of the Paris demimonde, an exile and an alien, a man of musings and memories, and, possibly, lies. Love is the prize that has eluded him, from his family to the men he has sought out in his far-flung journeys, often at his peril.
Intricate, compelling, and witty, the novel weaves in historical characters, from Stein and Toklas to Paul Robeson and Ho Chi Minh, with remarkable originality. Flavors, seas, sweat, tears -- The Book of Salt is an inspired feast of storytelling riches.]]> 2003 3 3 false Wed Apr 23 07:11:13 -0700 2008 Wed Apr 23 07:14:28 -0700 2008 more...]]> 8559769 595165 410691 0618304002 9780618304004 17 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174511082m/410691.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174511082s/410691.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/410691.The_Book_of_Salt_A_Novel 3.48 61 2003 5 2 false Fri Nov 02 07:30:24 -0700 2007 Tue Nov 06 18:17:40 -0800 2007 more...]]> 6802886 419772 410691 0618304002 9780618304004 17 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174511082m/410691.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174511082s/410691.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/410691.The_Book_of_Salt_A_Novel 3.50 992 2003 5 2 false Tue Sep 25 19:13:06 -0700 2007 Fri Sep 28 11:34:11 -0700 2007 more...]]> 7923579 187715 2719 0618446885 9780618446889 182 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890m/2719.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890s/2719.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2719.The_Book_of_Salt_A_Novel 3.50 992 In Paris, 1934, Binh has accompanied his employers, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, to the train station for their departure to America. His own destination is unclear: will he go with "the Steins," stay in France, or return to his native Vietnam? Binh has fled his homeland in disgrace, leaving behind his malevolent charlatan of a father and his self-sacrificing mother. For five years, he has been the live-in cook at the famous apartment at 27 rue de Fleurus.
Before Binh's decision is revealed, his mesmerizing narrative catapults us back to his youth in French-colonized Vietnam, his years as a galley hand at sea, and his days turning out fragrant repasts for the doyennes of the Lost Generation. Binh knows far more than the contents of the Steins' pantry: he knows their routines and intimacies, their manipulations and follies. With wry insight, he views Stein and Toklas ensconced in rueful domesticity.
But is Binh's account reliable? A lost soul, he is a late-night habitue of the Paris demimonde, an exile and an alien, a man of musings and memories, and, possibly, lies. Love is the prize that has eluded him, from his family to the men he has sought out in his far-flung journeys, often at his peril.
Intricate, compelling, and witty, the novel weaves in historical characters, from Stein and Toklas to Paul Robeson and Ho Chi Minh, with remarkable originality. Flavors, seas, sweat, tears -- The Book of Salt is an inspired feast of storytelling riches.]]> 2003 5 1 false Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Fri Oct 19 00:10:31 -0700 2007 Fri Oct 19 00:25:51 -0700 2007 more...]]> 5386700 318441 2719 0618446885 9780618446889 182 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890m/2719.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890s/2719.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2719.The_Book_of_Salt_A_Novel 3.50 992 In Paris, 1934, Binh has accompanied his employers, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, to the train station for their departure to America. His own destination is unclear: will he go with "the Steins," stay in France, or return to his native Vietnam? Binh has fled his homeland in disgrace, leaving behind his malevolent charlatan of a father and his self-sacrificing mother. For five years, he has been the live-in cook at the famous apartment at 27 rue de Fleurus.
Before Binh's decision is revealed, his mesmerizing narrative catapults us back to his youth in French-colonized Vietnam, his years as a galley hand at sea, and his days turning out fragrant repasts for the doyennes of the Lost Generation. Binh knows far more than the contents of the Steins' pantry: he knows their routines and intimacies, their manipulations and follies. With wry insight, he views Stein and Toklas ensconced in rueful domesticity.
But is Binh's account reliable? A lost soul, he is a late-night habitue of the Paris demimonde, an exile and an alien, a man of musings and memories, and, possibly, lies. Love is the prize that has eluded him, from his family to the men he has sought out in his far-flung journeys, often at his peril.
Intricate, compelling, and witty, the novel weaves in historical characters, from Stein and Toklas to Paul Robeson and Ho Chi Minh, with remarkable originality. Flavors, seas, sweat, tears -- The Book of Salt is an inspired feast of storytelling riches.]]> 2003 4 1 false Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Thu Aug 30 17:16:41 -0700 2007 Thu Aug 30 17:35:57 -0700 2007 more...]]> 10318902 6078 2719 0618446885 9780618446889 182 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890m/2719.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890s/2719.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2719.The_Book_of_Salt_A_Novel 3.50 992 In Paris, 1934, Binh has accompanied his employers, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, to the train station for their departure to America. His own destination is unclear: will he go with "the Steins," stay in France, or return to his native Vietnam? Binh has fled his homeland in disgrace, leaving behind his malevolent charlatan of a father and his self-sacrificing mother. For five years, he has been the live-in cook at the famous apartment at 27 rue de Fleurus.
Before Binh's decision is revealed, his mesmerizing narrative catapults us back to his youth in French-colonized Vietnam, his years as a galley hand at sea, and his days turning out fragrant repasts for the doyennes of the Lost Generation. Binh knows far more than the contents of the Steins' pantry: he knows their routines and intimacies, their manipulations and follies. With wry insight, he views Stein and Toklas ensconced in rueful domesticity.
But is Binh's account reliable? A lost soul, he is a late-night habitue of the Paris demimonde, an exile and an alien, a man of musings and memories, and, possibly, lies. Love is the prize that has eluded him, from his family to the men he has sought out in his far-flung journeys, often at his peril.
Intricate, compelling, and witty, the novel weaves in historical characters, from Stein and Toklas to Paul Robeson and Ho Chi Minh, with remarkable originality. Flavors, seas, sweat, tears -- The Book of Salt is an inspired feast of storytelling riches.]]> 2003 4 1 false Sat Dec 01 00:00:00 -0800 2007 Wed Dec 12 08:35:50 -0800 2007 Mon Dec 17 10:30:50 -0800 2007 more...]]> 23765580 764711 2719 0618446885 9780618446889 182 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890m/2719.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890s/2719.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2719.The_Book_of_Salt_A_Novel 3.50 992 In Paris, 1934, Binh has accompanied his employers, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, to the train station for their departure to America. His own destination is unclear: will he go with "the Steins," stay in France, or return to his native Vietnam? Binh has fled his homeland in disgrace, leaving behind his malevolent charlatan of a father and his self-sacrificing mother. For five years, he has been the live-in cook at the famous apartment at 27 rue de Fleurus.
Before Binh's decision is revealed, his mesmerizing narrative catapults us back to his youth in French-colonized Vietnam, his years as a galley hand at sea, and his days turning out fragrant repasts for the doyennes of the Lost Generation. Binh knows far more than the contents of the Steins' pantry: he knows their routines and intimacies, their manipulations and follies. With wry insight, he views Stein and Toklas ensconced in rueful domesticity.
But is Binh's account reliable? A lost soul, he is a late-night habitue of the Paris demimonde, an exile and an alien, a man of musings and memories, and, possibly, lies. Love is the prize that has eluded him, from his family to the men he has sought out in his far-flung journeys, often at his peril.
Intricate, compelling, and witty, the novel weaves in historical characters, from Stein and Toklas to Paul Robeson and Ho Chi Minh, with remarkable originality. Flavors, seas, sweat, tears -- The Book of Salt is an inspired feast of storytelling riches.]]> 2003 1 1 false Tue Jul 01 00:00:00 -0700 2003 Thu Jun 05 08:43:40 -0700 2008 Thu Jun 05 08:52:15 -0700 2008 Salt: A World History - so I kind of had salt on the brain.

This book - The Book of Salt - left me very unsatisfied. I don't have a particularly good recollection of why, as I read it several years ...more...]]> 28063222 1296744 2719 0618446885 9780618446889 182 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890m/2719.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890s/2719.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2719.The_Book_of_Salt_A_Novel 3.50 992 In Paris, 1934, Binh has accompanied his employers, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, to the train station for their departure to America. His own destination is unclear: will he go with "the Steins," stay in France, or return to his native Vietnam? Binh has fled his homeland in disgrace, leaving behind his malevolent charlatan of a father and his self-sacrificing mother. For five years, he has been the live-in cook at the famous apartment at 27 rue de Fleurus.
Before Binh's decision is revealed, his mesmerizing narrative catapults us back to his youth in French-colonized Vietnam, his years as a galley hand at sea, and his days turning out fragrant repasts for the doyennes of the Lost Generation. Binh knows far more than the contents of the Steins' pantry: he knows their routines and intimacies, their manipulations and follies. With wry insight, he views Stein and Toklas ensconced in rueful domesticity.
But is Binh's account reliable? A lost soul, he is a late-night habitue of the Paris demimonde, an exile and an alien, a man of musings and memories, and, possibly, lies. Love is the prize that has eluded him, from his family to the men he has sought out in his far-flung journeys, often at his peril.
Intricate, compelling, and witty, the novel weaves in historical characters, from Stein and Toklas to Paul Robeson and Ho Chi Minh, with remarkable originality. Flavors, seas, sweat, tears -- The Book of Salt is an inspired feast of storytelling riches.]]> 2003 5 1 false Wed Jul 23 10:29:05 -0700 2008 Wed Jul 23 11:08:52 -0700 2008
I was only a few pages into the book when I realized...more...]]> 39118916 1717549 2719 0618446885 9780618446889 182 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890m/2719.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890s/2719.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2719.The_Book_of_Salt_A_Novel 3.50 992 In Paris, 1934, Binh has accompanied his employers, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, to the train station for their departure to America. His own destination is unclear: will he go with "the Steins," stay in France, or return to his native Vietnam? Binh has fled his homeland in disgrace, leaving behind his malevolent charlatan of a father and his self-sacrificing mother. For five years, he has been the live-in cook at the famous apartment at 27 rue de Fleurus.
Before Binh's decision is revealed, his mesmerizing narrative catapults us back to his youth in French-colonized Vietnam, his years as a galley hand at sea, and his days turning out fragrant repasts for the doyennes of the Lost Generation. Binh knows far more than the contents of the Steins' pantry: he knows their routines and intimacies, their manipulations and follies. With wry insight, he views Stein and Toklas ensconced in rueful domesticity.
But is Binh's account reliable? A lost soul, he is a late-night habitue of the Paris demimonde, an exile and an alien, a man of musings and memories, and, possibly, lies. Love is the prize that has eluded him, from his family to the men he has sought out in his far-flung journeys, often at his peril.
Intricate, compelling, and witty, the novel weaves in historical characters, from Stein and Toklas to Paul Robeson and Ho Chi Minh, with remarkable originality. Flavors, seas, sweat, tears -- The Book of Salt is an inspired feast of storytelling riches.]]> 2003 3 0 false Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2008 Tue Dec 02 10:54:03 -0800 2008 Tue Dec 02 10:54:36 -0800 2008 more...]]> 69051389 1947476 2719 0618446885 9780618446889 182 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890m/2719.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890s/2719.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2719.The_Book_of_Salt_A_Novel 3.50 992 In Paris, 1934, Binh has accompanied his employers, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, to the train station for their departure to America. His own destination is unclear: will he go with "the Steins," stay in France, or return to his native Vietnam? Binh has fled his homeland in disgrace, leaving behind his malevolent charlatan of a father and his self-sacrificing mother. For five years, he has been the live-in cook at the famous apartment at 27 rue de Fleurus.
Before Binh's decision is revealed, his mesmerizing narrative catapults us back to his youth in French-colonized Vietnam, his years as a galley hand at sea, and his days turning out fragrant repasts for the doyennes of the Lost Generation. Binh knows far more than the contents of the Steins' pantry: he knows their routines and intimacies, their manipulations and follies. With wry insight, he views Stein and Toklas ensconced in rueful domesticity.
But is Binh's account reliable? A lost soul, he is a late-night habitue of the Paris demimonde, an exile and an alien, a man of musings and memories, and, possibly, lies. Love is the prize that has eluded him, from his family to the men he has sought out in his far-flung journeys, often at his peril.
Intricate, compelling, and witty, the novel weaves in historical characters, from Stein and Toklas to Paul Robeson and Ho Chi Minh, with remarkable originality. Flavors, seas, sweat, tears -- The Book of Salt is an inspired feast of storytelling riches.]]> 2003 3 0 false Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Wed Aug 26 22:39:53 -0700 2009 Wed Aug 26 22:41:28 -0700 2009 more...]]> 211078 15824 2719 0618446885 9780618446889 182 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890m/2719.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890s/2719.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2719.The_Book_of_Salt_A_Novel 3.50 992 In Paris, 1934, Binh has accompanied his employers, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, to the train station for their departure to America. His own destination is unclear: will he go with "the Steins," stay in France, or return to his native Vietnam? Binh has fled his homeland in disgrace, leaving behind his malevolent charlatan of a father and his self-sacrificing mother. For five years, he has been the live-in cook at the famous apartment at 27 rue de Fleurus.
Before Binh's decision is revealed, his mesmerizing narrative catapults us back to his youth in French-colonized Vietnam, his years as a galley hand at sea, and his days turning out fragrant repasts for the doyennes of the Lost Generation. Binh knows far more than the contents of the Steins' pantry: he knows their routines and intimacies, their manipulations and follies. With wry insight, he views Stein and Toklas ensconced in rueful domesticity.
But is Binh's account reliable? A lost soul, he is a late-night habitue of the Paris demimonde, an exile and an alien, a man of musings and memories, and, possibly, lies. Love is the prize that has eluded him, from his family to the men he has sought out in his far-flung journeys, often at his peril.
Intricate, compelling, and witty, the novel weaves in historical characters, from Stein and Toklas to Paul Robeson and Ho Chi Minh, with remarkable originality. Flavors, seas, sweat, tears -- The Book of Salt is an inspired feast of storytelling riches.]]> 2003 5 1 false Thu Dec 01 00:00:00 -0800 2005 Fri Mar 09 09:21:22 -0800 2007 Wed Dec 16 16:28:04 -0800 2009 more...]]> 26579368 994745 2719 0618446885 9780618446889 182 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890m/2719.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890s/2719.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2719.The_Book_of_Salt_A_Novel 3.50 992 In Paris, 1934, Binh has accompanied his employers, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, to the train station for their departure to America. His own destination is unclear: will he go with "the Steins," stay in France, or return to his native Vietnam? Binh has fled his homeland in disgrace, leaving behind his malevolent charlatan of a father and his self-sacrificing mother. For five years, he has been the live-in cook at the famous apartment at 27 rue de Fleurus.
Before Binh's decision is revealed, his mesmerizing narrative catapults us back to his youth in French-colonized Vietnam, his years as a galley hand at sea, and his days turning out fragrant repasts for the doyennes of the Lost Generation. Binh knows far more than the contents of the Steins' pantry: he knows their routines and intimacies, their manipulations and follies. With wry insight, he views Stein and Toklas ensconced in rueful domesticity.
But is Binh's account reliable? A lost soul, he is a late-night habitue of the Paris demimonde, an exile and an alien, a man of musings and memories, and, possibly, lies. Love is the prize that has eluded him, from his family to the men he has sought out in his far-flung journeys, often at his peril.
Intricate, compelling, and witty, the novel weaves in historical characters, from Stein and Toklas to Paul Robeson and Ho Chi Minh, with remarkable originality. Flavors, seas, sweat, tears -- The Book of Salt is an inspired feast of storytelling riches.]]> 2003 2 1 false Fri Sep 01 00:00:00 -0700 2006 Mon Jul 07 16:41:35 -0700 2008 Mon Jul 07 16:51:26 -0700 2008 loose ends. The narrator is a gay Vietnamese cook hired by Alice B. Toklas and Gertrude Stein for their Paris kitchen.
One sympathsizes with the cook in a country not his own, but
one doesn't really care because Truong does...more...]]> 65511337 233375 17993 0099455455 9780099455455 6 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166855214m/17993.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166855214s/17993.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17993.The_Book_of_Salt 3.06 18 2003 1 0 false Sat Aug 08 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Thu Jul 30 04:30:06 -0700 2009 Sat Aug 08 05:38:40 -0700 2009 "... cooks up a story of...";
"...writes about food... ";...more...]]> 38346773 1090679 410691 0618304002 9780618304004 17 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174511082m/410691.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174511082s/410691.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/410691.The_Book_of_Salt_A_Novel 3.50 992 2003 1 0 false Fri Dec 12 19:41:10 -0800 2008 Fri Nov 21 17:39:53 -0800 2008 Fri Dec 12 19:41:10 -0800 2008 1. Nothing happens. There is no ...more...]]> 8164207 572794 2719 0618446885 9780618446889 182 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890m/2719.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890s/2719.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2719.The_Book_of_Salt_A_Novel 3.50 992 In Paris, 1934, Binh has accompanied his employers, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, to the train station for their departure to America. His own destination is unclear: will he go with "the Steins," stay in France, or return to his native Vietnam? Binh has fled his homeland in disgrace, leaving behind his malevolent charlatan of a father and his self-sacrificing mother. For five years, he has been the live-in cook at the famous apartment at 27 rue de Fleurus.
Before Binh's decision is revealed, his mesmerizing narrative catapults us back to his youth in French-colonized Vietnam, his years as a galley hand at sea, and his days turning out fragrant repasts for the doyennes of the Lost Generation. Binh knows far more than the contents of the Steins' pantry: he knows their routines and intimacies, their manipulations and follies. With wry insight, he views Stein and Toklas ensconced in rueful domesticity.
But is Binh's account reliable? A lost soul, he is a late-night habitue of the Paris demimonde, an exile and an alien, a man of musings and memories, and, possibly, lies. Love is the prize that has eluded him, from his family to the men he has sought out in his far-flung journeys, often at his peril.
Intricate, compelling, and witty, the novel weaves in historical characters, from Stein and Toklas to Paul Robeson and Ho Chi Minh, with remarkable originality. Flavors, seas, sweat, tears -- The Book of Salt is an inspired feast of storytelling riches.]]> 2003 3 1 false Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Tue Oct 23 22:03:18 -0700 2007 Tue Oct 23 22:13:58 -0700 2007 7871200 251914 2719 0618446885 9780618446889 182 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890m/2719.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890s/2719.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2719.The_Book_of_Salt_A_Novel 3.50 992 In Paris, 1934, Binh has accompanied his employers, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, to the train station for their departure to America. His own destination is unclear: will he go with "the Steins," stay in France, or return to his native Vietnam? Binh has fled his homeland in disgrace, leaving behind his malevolent charlatan of a father and his self-sacrificing mother. For five years, he has been the live-in cook at the famous apartment at 27 rue de Fleurus.
Before Binh's decision is revealed, his mesmerizing narrative catapults us back to his youth in French-colonized Vietnam, his years as a galley hand at sea, and his days turning out fragrant repasts for the doyennes of the Lost Generation. Binh knows far more than the contents of the Steins' pantry: he knows their routines and intimacies, their manipulations and follies. With wry insight, he views Stein and Toklas ensconced in rueful domesticity.
But is Binh's account reliable? A lost soul, he is a late-night habitue of the Paris demimonde, an exile and an alien, a man of musings and memories, and, possibly, lies. Love is the prize that has eluded him, from his family to the men he has sought out in his far-flung journeys, often at his peril.
Intricate, compelling, and witty, the novel weaves in historical characters, from Stein and Toklas to Paul Robeson and Ho Chi Minh, with remarkable originality. Flavors, seas, sweat, tears -- The Book of Salt is an inspired feast of storytelling riches.]]> 2003 3 1 false Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2006 Wed Oct 17 21:33:50 -0700 2007 Wed Oct 17 21:34:17 -0700 2007 49800618 2143789 410691 0618304002 9780618304004 17 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174511082m/410691.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174511082s/410691.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/410691.The_Book_of_Salt_A_Novel 3.50 992 2003 4 0 false Tue Apr 14 15:46:48 -0700 2009 Thu Mar 19 14:30:38 -0700 2009 Tue Apr 14 15:46:48 -0700 2009 more...]]> 48092154 2084360 2719 0618446885 9780618446889 182 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890m/2719.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890s/2719.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2719.The_Book_of_Salt_A_Novel 3.50 992 In Paris, 1934, Binh has accompanied his employers, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, to the train station for their departure to America. His own destination is unclear: will he go with "the Steins," stay in France, or return to his native Vietnam? Binh has fled his homeland in disgrace, leaving behind his malevolent charlatan of a father and his self-sacrificing mother. For five years, he has been the live-in cook at the famous apartment at 27 rue de Fleurus.
Before Binh's decision is revealed, his mesmerizing narrative catapults us back to his youth in French-colonized Vietnam, his years as a galley hand at sea, and his days turning out fragrant repasts for the doyennes of the Lost Generation. Binh knows far more than the contents of the Steins' pantry: he knows their routines and intimacies, their manipulations and follies. With wry insight, he views Stein and Toklas ensconced in rueful domesticity.
But is Binh's account reliable? A lost soul, he is a late-night habitue of the Paris demimonde, an exile and an alien, a man of musings and memories, and, possibly, lies. Love is the prize that has eluded him, from his family to the men he has sought out in his far-flung journeys, often at his peril.
Intricate, compelling, and witty, the novel weaves in historical characters, from Stein and Toklas to Paul Robeson and Ho Chi Minh, with remarkable originality. Flavors, seas, sweat, tears -- The Book of Salt is an inspired feast of storytelling riches.]]> 2003 5 0 false Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2007 Tue Mar 03 05:33:23 -0800 2009 Tue Mar 03 05:42:12 -0800 2009 more...]]> 79042875 2824853 2719 0618446885 9780618446889 182 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890m/2719.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161516890s/2719.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2719.The_Book_of_Salt_A_Novel 3.50 992 In Paris, 1934, Binh has accompanied his employers, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, to the train station for their departure to America. His own destination is unclear: will he go with "the Steins," stay in France, or return to his native Vietnam? Binh has fled his homeland in disgrace, leaving behind his malevolent charlatan of a father and his self-sacrificing mother. For five years, he has been the live-in cook at the famous apartment at 27 rue de Fleurus.
Before Binh's decision is revealed, his mesmerizing narrative catapults us back to his youth in French-colonized Vietnam, his years as a galley hand at sea, and his days turning out fragrant repasts for the doyennes of the Lost Generation. Binh knows far more than the contents of the Steins' pantry: he knows their routines and intimacies, their manipulations and follies. With wry insight, he views Stein and Toklas ensconced in rueful domesticity.
But is Binh's account reliable? A lost soul, he is a late-night habitue of the Paris demimonde, an exile and an alien, a man of musings and memories, and, possibly, lies. Love is the prize that has eluded him, from his family to the men he has sought out in his far-flung journeys, often at his peril.
Intricate, compelling, and witty, the novel weaves in historical characters, from Stein and Toklas to Paul Robeson and Ho Chi Minh, with remarkable originality. Flavors, seas, sweat, tears -- The Book of Salt is an inspired feast of storytelling riches.]]> 2003 5 0 false Thu Nov 26 08:24:21 -0800 2009 Sat Dec 05 08:19:25 -0800 2009
...more...]]> 40596069 124879 410691 0618304002 9780618304004 17 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174511082m/410691.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174511082s/410691.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/410691.The_Book_of_Salt_A_Novel 3.50 992 2003 3 0 false Wed Dec 31 00:00:00 -0800 2008 Sun Dec 21 09:57:30 -0800 2008 Wed Dec 31 05:39:35 -0800 2008 more...]]> 8 http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=2719