The Kitchen Daughter

Nov 29, 2011 Chachic rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebooks, received-as-gifts

Won a copy of this from MangoJuiced. My review is originally posted here.

Ginny has never been good with people – she doesn’t like strangers and she doesn’t like talking to people. She’s not comfortable with physical contact and only allows a handful of people to touch her. She lives with her parents, in the house where she grew up and fills her days with cooking. Food comforts her and that’s what she uses as a coping mechanism. Here’s a sample of the writing and how Ginny uses food to calm herse...more Won a copy of this from MangoJuiced. My review is originally posted here.

Ginny has never been good with people – she doesn’t like strangers and she doesn’t like talking to people. She’s not comfortable with physical contact and only allows a handful of people to touch her. She lives with her parents, in the house where she grew up and fills her days with cooking. Food comforts her and that’s what she uses as a coping mechanism. Here’s a sample of the writing and how Ginny uses food to calm herself:

Her hand is close to my arm. My options are limited. I can’t run away. I can’t handle this.

I lose myself in food.

The rich, wet texture of melting chocolate. The way good aged goat cheese coats your tongue. The silky feel of pasta dough when it’s been pressed and rested just enough. How the scent of onions changes, over an hour, from raw to mellow, sharp to sweet, and all that even without tasting. The simplest magic: how heat transforms.

It’s not surprising that when her world is shaken by several events (the death of her parents, the presence of strangers in her home because of the funeral and her sister’s demands), Ginny turns to food. Even though I’m not a good cook like Ginny is, I could relate to how food comforts her. I find food comforting too but my interests lie in consumption rather than production. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way. The Kitchen Daughter is something that I’d recommend to readers who like their fiction with generous helpings of various food items. Just make sure that you have a snack within reach when you decide to pick this up. Each chapter starts with a recipe and this is it how it looks on my Kindle:

I think we’ve established that there are a lot of food references in The Kitchen Daughter but it’s more than just about food – it’s also about Ginny coming to terms with the death of her parents and in the process, learning more about herself and her family. It was interesting being inside Ginny’s head because she’s such a unique character. Right from the start, the reader knows that there’s something different about Ginny. When asked if she has a condition or anything, she says that what she has “is a personality.” I liked that the story is told from her perspective because it gives us an inside look of how she processes everything around her. It makes me realize that I take so many things for granted in my life – that I’m not socially awkward, that I’m not bothered by physical contact, which I think is a big thing when you live in the Philippines because people have no respect for personal space around here (e.g. public transportation). So even if I don’t think I have a lot of things in common with Ginny, I could still sympathize with her.

I feel like The Kitchen Daughter is a quiet sort of novel because it’s mostly about Ginny and her internal struggles – how she copes with everything that happens in her life and how she tentatively reaches out to the secondary characters. It’s a book about relationships between family members and between friends. It’s also about the intricacies of life – how people have different ways of handling grief and sadness. The Kitchen Daughter is a heartwarming read and a well-written debut novel, the kind of book that you read during a weekend afternoon when you want to get cozy. I’m looking forward to seeing what Jael McHenry has in store for us next.(less)

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Dec 18, 2011 Nancy rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is actually my favorite kind of book. It's about something relevant but also about something else much more relevant. It reminds me of The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake which is about a girl who feels what people feel when they cook the food. But it's really not. It's about coping skills or it's a little story about growing up...

This book is about Ginny who is 26 years old and has a personality. At least that's what she's always been told. Secretly, Ginny has never been officially diagno...more

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May 02, 2011 Athira (Reading on a Rainy Day) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, fiction, source-review, source-own, f-general

After the sudden death of her parents, Ginny is left feeling isolated and unsure of what to do. Her sister, Amanda, is trying to cope with the tragedy in her own way, but she doesn't really know how to look after Ginny, who has Asperger's syndrome. Ginny throws herself into cooking, because nothing else seems to be able to address her intense sadness the way cooking and food does. The first time, she makes a bread soup from a recipe written by her grandmother. Even before she could relish the aw...more After the sudden death of her parents, Ginny is left feeling isolated and unsure of what to do. Her sister, Amanda, is trying to cope with the tragedy in her own way, but she doesn't really know how to look after Ginny, who has Asperger's syndrome. Ginny throws herself into cooking, because nothing else seems to be able to address her intense sadness the way cooking and food does. The first time, she makes a bread soup from a recipe written by her grandmother. Even before she could relish the awesome dish, her kitchen is visited by an unexpected visitor - the ghost of her grandmother herself, who warns her "Do no let her..." before disappearing.

The Kitchen Daughter is the story of autistic Ginny, who finds that thinking of food helps her cope with her sadness, anger and anxieties. She imagines the smell, feel and taste of food when she's feeling upset. She thinks of each person in terms of the food that comes to her mind when she hears their voice. For instance, her father has a tomato juice voice, her sister an orange juice voice, her friend David has a muddy/espresso voice.

I am usually skeptic of books featuring characters who have autism. Recently, there's been an explosion of literature in that category, and while some have been exceptional, quite a few have been just "following the trend". That said, I do like it when a book shows the disorder authentically. And in that respect, I thought The Kitchen Daughter did a great job in portraying Ginny's illness - her fears, her behavioral tics, her determination to do things her way. I was worried about the mystical element in the book - that of Ginny seeing ghosts when she cooks from their hand-written recipes. While I didn't exactly get comfortable with the ghosts, I thought it was a nice touch.

The Kitchen Daughter is the first foodie fiction that I've read. It was a change reading books with characters interacting first-hand with recipes (which have been shared) and even discussing methods of cooking them. I can see how this would appeal to someone who loves cooking. And since, I'm just beginning to get intimate with cooking (I've been lucky to have been with people who loved to cook for me), some of all that food references just went over my head. That's not to say I didn't enjoy the book or get hungry, but it was not as much as I hoped to.

One thing that disappointed me about this book is that one mystery which was portrayed as very important early on in the book isn't solved by the end of the book. It didn't turn out to be too relevant later, because I understood Ginny to receive closure even without it being revealed, but there was still that little something nagging me at the back of my head. Barring that, I thought this was a different read of a usual storyline told in a refreshing novel way.(less)

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Mar 16, 2012 Megan rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Kitchen Daughter is masterfully written and full of surprises, I was caught up in all the cooking and the idea of being able to bring back the dead when using their recipes. Interesting.

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Nov 28, 2011 Patty rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ginny has just lost her parents to a tragic accident. She lived with them in a magnificent old home in Philadelphia and was not at all prepared either emotionally or in reality for them to be gone. She is living with undiagnosed Asperger's and her parents had protected her all throughout her life. After the funeral her sister blows in like a tornado trying to take over her life and sell the house and take her away from everything she has ever known. Her sister refuses to accept that Ginny is cap...more

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May 11, 2013 Lynn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own-it, aspberger-s, debut-novel

A favorite book for me! I loved the characterization; each person seemed so real! And I believe the lack of communicative ability was accurately depicted. Or perhaps more accurately, the discomfort with typical interactions would be a more accurate statement/description. Ah, and those family dynamics! How they can change when elder family members are no longer around in everyday life. Ginny can seem much like a defiant teenager, though she really is not, in my opinion. Thanks to her mother she h...more

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Apr 23, 2013 Jenni VanDeVoorde rated it 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars rounded down.

http://readingatrandom.blogspot.com/2...

This was our book club selection this month, and I had no idea what to expect when I started this very quick read. The description doesn't capture the essence of the book for me, which was a young woman trying to make sense of her life when everything she knew and depended on was gone. That aspect of the story was absorbing; living the interactions through Ginny's eyes made my heart break a little, and I just wanted to shake her sist...more

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Dec 05, 2012 Gwen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"Il cibo ha un potere. Nonna lo sapeva. La mamma pure. Adesso lo so anch'io. E anche se non può salvarmi, potrebbe aiutarmi in qualche modo. È tutto quello che ho, oltre al dolore".

Il titolo in italiano, più ammiccante ma meno fedele alla profondità della storia rispetto all'originale The Kitchen Daughter, sembra essere il preludio di un romanzo leggero, condito da magia e cucina. In realtà, come riportato più giustamente nella definizione data da Jamie Ford in quarta di copertina, questo libro...more

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Nov 18, 2012 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book came up in a book group, and I assumed it was "just chick lit" which usually seems to me superficial and silly and which I don't normally read. But since it was a book group selection, I ordered a used copy. Took a lo g time to arrive and was a pretty fast read when it did. And surprisingly insightful.

Ginny and Amanda have recently lost their parents to a freak accident where they were staying on an extended vacation. The story opens at the funeral where Ginny is trying very hard to ho...more

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Sep 27, 2012 Andrew Clark rated it 4 of 5 stars

The kitchen daughter is a pleasant story about finding normality in one's self in a time of distress. Ginny is a young woman with aspergers syndrome who just lost her parents. On top of that, Ginny's sister, Amanda, who treats her like a child who cannot care for herself. wants to sell the house they used to live in and is the only place where Ginny feels safe. She has a passion for cooking and finds out she can summon the spirits of the dead by cooking the recipes of past family members or fri...more The kitchen daughter is a pleasant story about finding normality in one's self in a time of distress. Ginny is a young woman with aspergers syndrome who just lost her parents. On top of that, Ginny's sister, Amanda, who treats her like a child who cannot care for herself. wants to sell the house they used to live in and is the only place where Ginny feels safe. She has a passion for cooking and finds out she can summon the spirits of the dead by cooking the recipes of past family members or friends. This allows her to discover a mystery about her family's past and allows her to overcome the grief of her parents.
The book had two main themes; finding what is “normal” and getting over the death of a loved one. People can relate to bot of these if they feel lost in the world, such as people like Ginny, who suffer from a condition or have recently lost a loved one. This is where the book shines, it helps the people suffering from grief or are otherwise socially disconnected from society help understand their surroundings. Ginny has to get over her awkwardness in social situations and grief over her parents and many readers would be able to relate to the situation that Ginny has been put into.
The book makes great use of Ginny's love of cooking and food in general. Without knowing anything about the author, it would be clear that she has a passion for food because of how she describes it. She makes the food that Ginny makes seem so delectable and delicious so that the reader can relate to the love for cooking because of the beautiful imagery that the author uses to connect with the reader’s senses. “Food is love. Food has power. I knew it it my mind, but now I know it in my heart” (Mchenry 272). The author also uses the literary device of magical realism to enhance the story, by making it possible for Ginny to summon ghosts, which allows her to connect with the past and evolve as a person.
Overall, the Kitchen daughter was a story about accepting the loss of a loved one and find what is truly normal. This relatable themes makes the book easy to connect with on a deeper level. The authors beautiful imagery on the delectably cuisine that is made by Ginny makes the food come to life to the point where the reader is craving food. The time I spent reading this novel was greatly enjoyed and I would strongly recommend it to anybody with a passion for food or anybody who cannot find what is normal.(less)

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Sep 27, 2012 Adrian rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I think the good is really good I find the story a bit unpredictable because there were events in the story did the exact opposite of what you are thinking at that time. A theme of the story is to open up in the world, don't isolate oneself. Ginny's isolated herself throughout her life. In the beginning, thinks she is normal and refuses treatment of her syndrome. She stays in her home most of the time and cooks throughout the day, and have very little interaction to other people and the outside...more I think the good is really good I find the story a bit unpredictable because there were events in the story did the exact opposite of what you are thinking at that time. A theme of the story is to open up in the world, don't isolate oneself. Ginny's isolated herself throughout her life. In the beginning, thinks she is normal and refuses treatment of her syndrome. She stays in her home most of the time and cooks throughout the day, and have very little interaction to other people and the outside world. As the story progresses, Amanda revealed that Ginny has aspergers and wanted her to be treated. At first, she refused to set foot in a doctor's office until Amanda tricked her into going. Afterwards, she started to open up and had an affair with David. At the end of the book, she opens up more and goes to the doctor a few times a month and becomes closer to Amanda and her family. The conflict is man to self because it is mostly Ginny dealing with herself. She reads her normal book to convince herself she is normal like everybody else and cooks to find out more about herself. The main symbol in the story is cooking. It symbolizes that Ginny has aspergers and shows how it helps her relax. IF she had suffered a problem like getting into a fight with Amanda, she usually cooks to keep her mind off the problem. Another symbol are the ghosts. They were warning her that she should not move in with Amanda. If she had, Ginny would be completely dependent on Amanda and her family for everything. The ghosts were warning her to not let Amanda force her to move in and to be independent. I would recommend this book to others because it is full of suspense and is unpredictable. For example, in the beginning when Ginny heard her first warning, you will most likely assume that Amanda should not sell the house. Later, you will realize that Ginny should not move in with Amanda. The book also have many plot twists. One example is when Ginny and David kissed. At that point, the reader may think that they would get married, however David gets killed while biking home. Overall, I think that this is a really good book with mystery, suspense, and many more aspects.(less)

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Sep 26, 2012 Larry Nguyen rated it 5 of 5 stars

In this novel lies a tale of a young woman with Asperger's, incapable of successfully interacting with society but finds her peace with cooking. Amidst the clatter of the pots and pans she finds she can summon ghosts. This entire book has a very intriguing plot that makes me appreciate food even more; having briefly chatted with the author I have a new respect for food, the idea that the food's smells can bring back certain memories linked to a relevant person or an unforgettable experience. Th...more In this novel lies a tale of a young woman with Asperger's, incapable of successfully interacting with society but finds her peace with cooking. Amidst the clatter of the pots and pans she finds she can summon ghosts. This entire book has a very intriguing plot that makes me appreciate food even more; having briefly chatted with the author I have a new respect for food, the idea that the food's smells can bring back certain memories linked to a relevant person or an unforgettable experience. The entirety of the book is avant-garde; bringing an entirely new perspective on what food is capable of if one lets food swallow one's being. In the whole book the only part that annoyed me was the cliff-hanging messages from the ghosts, telling her mysteriously to not let Amanda do something. That was the only part that annoyed me but the way McHenry orchestrated those parts of the plot stifled my aggravation making me want to finish the book.
Ginny Selvaggio began as an awkward young woman, abhorring the thought of company in her house where she and her parents lived, showing obvious symptoms of a person with Asperger's syndrome, fleeing the touch of strangers and family into the refuge of her obsession, cooking. As the book progresses Ginny grows stronger with the help of David, Gert and the blossoming trust of a psychotherapist letting her whittle away at her aversion towards touch and eventually come into full contact with David, a relatively new character in her life. At the end Ginny is strong and works at adapting into society, looking up articles to help and practicing basic social skills. This change is caused by what happened to David and how he changed her; Ginny had actually welcomed his touch but now she wants more after David passed away. By battling with herself, Ginny overcame most of her symptoms that caused her to be awkward, making this a man(woman) vs. herself.
An apparent theme of this novel is the frequent theme of food. Using this theme Mchenry developed the story by having Ginny keep cooking, making that the only thing that can keep her sanity intact. Also Ginny used food to describe other people, connecting everything that Ginny does to food. Asperger's syndrome has Ginny obsessed with food making this a prominent theme. The author's attitude seemed like she loved the idea of using food as a theme in this book. Ebulliently describing every morsel of food and making it seem like everything could be compared to food demonstrates McHenry's affinity towards food.
One symbol is that of mud and snow. When David appears in front of Ginny the first thing she notices is the mud and snow on David's shoes. This symbolized taint since the mud dirties the snow and is affiliated with David's death. Another symbol is of food; usually food scenes are not describe unless something relevant is happening such as the appearance of ghosts or important steps in Ginny's life with her family happen when she eats food or the event has food. An example of that is the funeral when Ginny cooks, or when she summons ghosts from the scent of cooking.
McHenry's writing style displays a passion for food, demonstrated by the entire book. For example, "Panic, panic, can't panic. Think of food. Think of sugar. I am a sugar cube in cold water. I won't dissolve. Precise edges. made up of tiny, regular secure parts. If the water were hotter I would worry, but it's cold. I stay together. Precise. Clean. Surrounded, but whole." reveals Ginny's thoughts when she is panicking (McHenry 41). Her voice projects clearly through this quote, showing her passion for food and the sting of her words as she writes the novel. A different side to her writing style is the question of normality; her stance on normality is that “There is no normal. There's only what's right for you and being honest" demonstrating what she thinks about it. With this dogmatic style, McHenry reveals Ginny's thoughts, but also reveals her own thoughts about normality making the book emphasize that normality does not exist for anybody.
I would definitely recommend this book to any person that loves food, but also loves a good plot twist or mystery. The fact that the main character has a syndrome does not impede the book's impressiveness, it only makes it even more realistic and relevant to real life situations. To be able to read this book is a privilege since it entertains the senses with food, an endless bombardment of descriptions and tastes. That is what makes this book unique, and a must read.
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Sep 26, 2012 Vanessa Mendy rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry is an absolutely amazing book. The author does an amazing job of presenting an imperfect and somewhat relatable character who wants nothing more than to function on her own. I greatly appreciated the use of description and beautiful detail that went into talking about multiple ingredients and dishes. The only thing that frustrated me was how the ghost's prophecy was never directly addressed at the end of the novel. However, I can appreciate the air of myster...more The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry is an absolutely amazing book. The author does an amazing job of presenting an imperfect and somewhat relatable character who wants nothing more than to function on her own. I greatly appreciated the use of description and beautiful detail that went into talking about multiple ingredients and dishes. The only thing that frustrated me was how the ghost's prophecy was never directly addressed at the end of the novel. However, I can appreciate the air of mystery the author created, allowing the reader to create their own interpretation of it. The part of the novel that made me react the most was undoubtedly the death of David. I distinctly remember re-reading the page where it talks about his suicide, desperately hoping that I had misread it. The central conflict in this novel is man vs society. Throughout her life, Ginny struggled to fit in with those around her. After loosing her parents, she gained a strong desire to become independent and break away from what society expected of her.

The most prominent theme in this novel is normality. Ginny constantly reassures herself that she is normal, despite her condition. The author seems to have a wider definition of what normal is than Ginny does. I can say the same for myself because I believe that that no one can really say what is normal. Everyone is unique and it's impossible to try and force others to conform to what you believe is correct. A major motif that helps support this theme is the normal book that Ginny keeps hidden in her home. She often reads it when she needs to know that she is not abnormal. This shows how important the theme is to Ginny and how she really wants to believe that nothing is wrong with her.

Jael McHenry has a very nice writing style, providing an accurate look into the mind of someone with Asperger's syndrome. She typically writes in very short, concise sentences. It sort of reminded me of how a recipe is, right to the point. This mirrors the attitude of some people with Asperger's. “Her hand is close to my arm. My options are limited. I can't run away. I can't handle this.” (McHenry 3). This continues through the duration of the novel, however McHenry also integrates a great amount of detail into the novel. Considering that cooking is her passion, Ginny describes food in it's entirety in a way that is enchanting. McHenry, who is also loves to cook, was able to show her adoration of food through Ginny and the many times food is described. “The rich, wet texture of melting chocolate. The way good aged goat cheese coats your tongue. The silky feel of pasta dough when it's been pressed and rested just enough. How the scent of onions changes over an hour, from raw to mellow, sharp to sweet, and all that even without tasting.” (McHenry 3-4). The combination of these two techniques created an interesting narration; one that I also thoroughly enjoyed.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to others. Jael McHenry does an amazing job of creating a story with an interesting protagonist, a bit of mystery, and drama, keeping the readers guessing until the very last page. I am pleased to say that The Kitchen Daughter is now one of my favorite novels, and I hope that everyone gets the opportunity to read it.(less)

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Sep 26, 2012 Kellie Bain rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. When I finished reading this book, I was shocked. All of the events that happened were unpredictable and were the opposite of what I had expected to happen. I liked how Ginny used food and the Normal book to bring her comfort, and her parents' closet. But when I got to the ending, my jaw dropped. I could not believe that David had died. I expected him and Ginny to have a relationship and get married. I was also very confused about the warning given to Ginny, "Don't let Amanda...” That sentence w...more When I finished reading this book, I was shocked. All of the events that happened were unpredictable and were the opposite of what I had expected to happen. I liked how Ginny used food and the Normal book to bring her comfort, and her parents' closet. But when I got to the ending, my jaw dropped. I could not believe that David had died. I expected him and Ginny to have a relationship and get married. I was also very confused about the warning given to Ginny, "Don't let Amanda...” That sentence was never really completed, and I had no idea what it meant. There was a lot of mystery and suspense in this book, and I couldn't stop reading.

At the beginning of the novel, Ginny is very shy and can't control her syndrome very well. She gets freaked out if someone touches her and needs to run to a closet and stick her hands in her father's boots to feel comfortable. She doesn't socialize well and can't handle being around too many people. Her Aspergers syndrome is more severe in the beginning. Towards the end of the novel, Ginny is more capable of socializing and becomes more comfortable. She is able to push past her comfort zone and look into David's eyes, and she doesn't completely lost control when she is touched. She has more control of herself and can fight the syndrome. The change was caused mainly by her visit to the psychiatrist. She learned that she can fix the syndrome and she doesn't have to be so uncomfortable with other people. She learns how to get past her problems and have relationships.

The main conflict of the book was Ginny vs. herself. She was fighting her syndrome and fighting her comfort zone and her grief and just trying to live normally.

One of the major themes of this novel was normality. The whole story was centered on being normal and how Ginny just wanted to be normal. Throughout the story, Ginny reads "The Normal Book" to make her think she is normal. As the plot moves along, she finds that there really is no meaning of normal, that everyone is normal in their own ways. After reading this book, I learned what it's like to be in the perspective of someone with Aspergers. I also learned that there is no normal and that it can mean anything.

The Normal Book was a great symbol used in the book. It represents Ginny and her personality and syndrome. A motif in the book was the warning, "do not let her...”. Ginny's Nonna and Mother both gave her this warning, but it was never completed. It added some mystery to the story and Ginny was constantly trying to figure out what it meant. As the plot unraveled, she started to figure out what it was about, and she thought it was about not letting Amanda deny the possibility of Shannon having Aspergers. This symbol and motif are very effective in showing the theme of normality.

The author's writing style is very unique. She uses short sentences that are very descriptive. For example, she writes, "Third grade. precise, repetitive drawings of fruits from every angle. The delicate spotting at the base of a ripening Anjou pear...” She also writes with a lot of imagery, for instance, "At the end, the aji comes together as it should, its yellows and whites correct, the black olives like punctuation...It smells like creaminess. There's a slight heat in the yellow pepper, a sweet note, and of course the booming color...” The author uses very descriptive words and I feel like I can imagine what she is describing.

I would definitely recommend this book to others. It has great imagery, and it is a great story. It has a lot of irony and mystery in it and it is a very calm book even with all of the crazy events that go on. It is also very shocking and it is easy to get lost in.
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Sep 26, 2012 Jason Cooper rated it 4 of 5 stars

Overall, I enjoyed reading the Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry, however, small parts of the book I did not enjoy as much. I enjoyed the way McHenry was able to give the readers a glimpse into the life of someone who has Asperger’s Syndrome, it was quite eye opening to me and I was able to learn much about Asperger’s which I previously did not know. What made the book slightly less enjoyable for me was how the events seemed to come as I predicted. For the majority of the book I was able to, wit...more Overall, I enjoyed reading the Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry, however, small parts of the book I did not enjoy as much. I enjoyed the way McHenry was able to give the readers a glimpse into the life of someone who has Asperger’s Syndrome, it was quite eye opening to me and I was able to learn much about Asperger’s which I previously did not know. What made the book slightly less enjoyable for me was how the events seemed to come as I predicted. For the majority of the book I was able to, with little thought, have an idea of what was to come next. Regardless of this I still very much enjoyed the book, and was happy with the end result.
The main character of the novel, Ginny Selvaggio, went through the most change of all the characters. She had to overcome both the shocking death of her parents, and the realization that she has Asperger’s Syndrome. At the beginning she is both confused by her parent’s death, and by the way she is able to conjure the ghosts of her family with her cooking. Ginny is extremely unstable (emotionally) and relies heavily on food to get through her troubles. At the end of the novel, Ginny is much more of a stable figure, and is in the process of realizing that she has Asperger’s. Even though she is aware of the syndrome, she must still come to terms with knowing she is in fact different from others. In addition, she is less reliant on food to get through tough times, and is slowly but surely becoming more ‘normal’.
Throughout the novel the main conflict faced by Ginny Selvaggio, was that of man v. self. All of the challenges which Ginny face are against herself, she is the obstacle she must overcome. For example, when Ginny is told by her sister that she has Asperger’s Syndrome, she completely denies the possibility. As time goes on she had to come to terms with her “difference” and accept who she is.
While reading the book one central theme is present almost constantly, there is no normal. This theme applies mainly to Ginny, who throughout the book is facing the fact that she is not normal in the eyes of others. However, as the book progresses, she realizes that there is no normal, and that everyone is different in their own individual way. This theme can be applied to the life of any person. Personally, this theme reintegrated in me the fact that no person can be called normal. Every person is different, if people in society would take this more into account, life for many people would be much more enjoyable without harsh critiques from others.
A reoccurring symbol used in the book to help the author convey the theme of no normal, is “The Normal Book”. This book is used by Ginny while she is struggling with the fact that she is different. In the book, which Ginny made her, there are clippings from advice columns that Ginny believes reflect the fact that there is no normal. This is a great tool in Ginny coming to realize this theme because it shows other people’s problems, which could be considered ‘unusual’ to most, but give Ginny a sense of not being alone with her problems.
Jael McHenry, the author of The Kitchen Daughter, uses a unique and effective style of writing in the book. This style is down to earth and easy to read, while at the same time provides depth in words. One example of her writing style is, “There are so many flavors of normal, it doesn’t matter which one I am” (McHenry 82). This sentence, while written in such simple words, carries with it a much deeper and meaningful message. Another example of such simple elegance is seen in, “The dulce de leche eye, the bruise, the cheek the color of Arbequina olives” (256). Even when describing something as harsh as a dead body, McHenry still manages to keep the words elegant, and have them carry a message along with them.
I would definitely recommend this book to a friend, especially if they are having an issue with not being accepted by others. It tells a story which every person needs to know, what it’s like not being normal. With the perspective of the ‘outsider’ the reader can learn how there is no normal, and that society has created a “normal” which nearly nobody fits.

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Sep 26, 2012 Aaron Monajjemi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Aaron Monajjemi
Campanella
English 4H-7
26 September 2012
The Kitchen Daughter Review
Overall, I liked the novel The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry. The book was very knowledgeable about asperger syndrome and taught me a lot about the disease. I thought that it was a great idea to write it from the point of view of a character who has aspergers because then it is easier to understand what someone like that goes through and what they think about. What I didn’t like is that the story spoke very litt...more Aaron Monajjemi
Campanella
English 4H-7
26 September 2012
The Kitchen Daughter Review
Overall, I liked the novel The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry. The book was very knowledgeable about asperger syndrome and taught me a lot about the disease. I thought that it was a great idea to write it from the point of view of a character who has aspergers because then it is easier to understand what someone like that goes through and what they think about. What I didn’t like is that the story spoke very little about Ginny’s parents. While it is portrayed that her parents were overprotective, it is plainly obvious. I think that the story would have been better if Jael had stressed the protectiveness of Ginny’s parents more. Ultimately though, the novel helped me understand that while people without aspergers have trouble dealing with those who have it, it is also the same the other way around. So it taught me that not only does one person have to deal with the afflicted person, but the afflicted person has to deal with those uninflected and it is just as difficult.
The story’s main conflict was man vs. self, and this was shown mainly and most importantly through the development of Ginny. In fact the whole novel is about her adapting and adjusting to an environment without her parents. At the beginning she is very introverted and in a sort of denial. However, throughout the novel she learns things about the world that she couldn’t with her parents protecting her. By the end of the novel, Ginny is still introverted, but less so. She begins to start to communicate with people more and get along with them. The main reason for this is when Amanda cuts Ginny off, this forces Ginny to start fending for herself more, plus she wants to prove Amanda wrong and show that she can handle herself. By attempting this Ginny learns many new things about herself and others and how she can handle her problems.
The main theme of the novel is that everyone has their own problems, no matter what mental condition they may or may not have. Jael’s attitude to the theme was most definitely positive; she wanted to show that everyone can overcome their problems if they try. I felt that theme is a very important one for everyone to understand, it didn’t change my opinion much because I already knew it, but it is an important theme none-the-less and Jael portrayed it excellently in The Kitchen Daughter.
I noticed that throughout the novel Jael uses a lot of metaphors, especially when ever Ginny is describing someone. Also, she often uses her metaphors in conjunction with a synecdoche. By using synecdoche and metaphors Jael depicted Ginny’s reliance on food for just about everything very clearly. Plus it also showed that when Ginny thought of people she represented them with their voices, this especially fits because Ginny has aspergers and has trouble looking people in the eye os she usually looks somewhere else. By using synecdoche Jael shows that she instead focuses on the person’s voice rather than their eyes.
Jael McHenry’s writing styles is very unique, for example, “Nonna’s espresso voice. Do no let her” (23). I have never seen an author describe a character by first describing their voice with a flavor/food and then using that as a synecdoche for the rest of the person. Another excellent example of McHenry’s writing style is, “She’s uncrossing her toothpick arms” (50). This metaphor is just one example of many that McHenry uses throughout the entire novel. Ultimately McHenry’s writing style is very well suited for this novel and it brings out the details very clearly, the writing style couldn’t be better for this particular story.
Ultimately this book was an interesting read and it taught me a lot about aspergers and gave me a new perspective on people who have it and the difficulties that they have to deal with. It is an excellent learning source about aspergers because it gives the life of someone who has it, and there is no better way to teach people about it then give the perspective of those who have it. Ultimately, I would recommend this book to others to read.
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Sep 27, 2012 Sarah Schirle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry is a thought provoking novel about a young woman with Asperger’s syndrome trying to find herself and the true meaning of normal. Overall, I really liked reading the Kitchen Daughter. I appreciated the detailed and vivid cooking descriptions sprinkled throughout the novel. Every description was artfully done to the point where I felt like I was also making the dish and tasting it too. I also enjoyed the accurate portrayal of Asperger’s syndrome. Even with a cousin...more Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry is a thought provoking novel about a young woman with Asperger’s syndrome trying to find herself and the true meaning of normal. Overall, I really liked reading the Kitchen Daughter. I appreciated the detailed and vivid cooking descriptions sprinkled throughout the novel. Every description was artfully done to the point where I felt like I was also making the dish and tasting it too. I also enjoyed the accurate portrayal of Asperger’s syndrome. Even with a cousin who has this syndrome, I still had more to learn about it and got a lot out of reading this book. Not many readers get to see the point of view of a person with Asperger’s, especially a woman’s. However, some things did annoy m,e like David dying. He was one of my favorite characters and I was hoping Ginny and David were eventually going to fall in love. They learned a lot from each other and became closer as the novel progressed. David dying was one of the saddest moments of the whole novel and I am still stunned that he committed suicide. I definitely never saw that coming, especially after they shared a kiss.
Ginny developed into an independent and aware woman. At the beginning of the novel, Ginny never knew how to live and function without her parents being around. She was a very sheltered child because of her mother and her condition. Ginny’s mother controlled most of her life, except her cooking, which was the only time she got to express herself. Every decision was made for Ginny, instead of letting her decide what she wanted or felt like doing. When her parents died, Ginny was forced to think and live on her own. She finally had to start standing up to Amanda so she could live how she wanted. In the end, Ginny grew up a lot.
The central conflicts in the novel are between Ginny, Amanda, and herself. Ginny had to fight with Amanda so she could make her own decisions and live how she wanted. Ginny also had many battles within herself. Ginny knew she could not let grief and fear control her, so she fought to be happy and move on from her parents tragically dying. Another battle Ginny fought was the struggle with being labeled and the idea of being normal. With the help of her friends and Normal book, a book filled with newspaper article clippings, Ginny realizes there are many definitions of normal. No one can label someone unless they allow it to happen.
The biggest theme I got from the novel was the idea of normality. The theme develops throughout the whole novel and around the idea of Asperger’s. Ginny is looked as being weird and strange by many because she is anti-social and awkward due to her condition. Readers see Ginny internalize her condition with her Normal Book and telling herself there is no such thing as one type of normal, there are many types. McHenry also agreed with Ginny’s understanding of normal, that there is no true definition. Normality is based on an individual’s standards of being normal, not someone else’s. Before reading this novel, I had never really thought about the definition of normal. This book showed me how there are many different meanings of the word, and this is no standard to what it means.
There are many symbols, motifs and literary devices used by McHenry to convey the main theme. One of the major symbols of the novel is the Normal Book. Ginny created the Normal Book out of newspaper clippings to remind herself that normal takes many forms and there is no concrete meaning. She used the book to comfort and help her through rough times. Cooking is a huge motif in the Kitchen Daughter. Ginny finds reassurance when she cooks because it reminds her of her family and it just comes naturally to her. Being in the kitchen is one of the only places where Ginny is truly accepted and is not constantly judged. She actually excels in the kitchen. McHenry uses imagery to help show cooking within the novel. Each phrase describing Ginny’s meals is skillfully created to make the readers’ mouths water and picture the food. Without this wonderful imagery, Ginny’s cooking would not be as powerful or important. Each food image is meant to comfort Ginny, so without the perfect description, the image would be pointless.
Jael McHenry has a very interesting writing style full of contrasts. “Food has power. Nonna knew that. Ma did too. I know it now.” (42). McHenry likes to use fragments and shorter sentences to add simplicity and emphasis to her novel. The shorter sentences still spark a reader’s interest and move along the novel. To contrast the shorter sentences, McHenry uses a lot of imagery “When shortbeard melts on your tongue, you feel the roundness of the butter and the kiss of sugar and then they vanish.” (29). The imagery in the novel lets the reader know how important cooking is to Ginny and the author. Readers can see the passion and love Ginny puts into her cooking. The shorter sentences also showcase the imagery more because the imagery provides more description and speaks to readers’ senses.
I enjoyed the book and I would absolutely recommend it to others. It really gives readers a spot on example of a person with Asperger’s and most people do not really know what the condition is. The novel is also a wonderful book about cooking and normality. It also takes unsuspected turns many times throughout the novel. I could never predict what was going to happen next and I love that in a book. Overall, I am so glad I chose to read this book and I would love to have others read this wonderful novel as well.
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Sep 26, 2012 Corinna Sales rated it 4 of 5 stars

From the very first chapter to the last page of the book, McHenry’s exceptional story kept me at the edge of my seat with surprises waiting for me at every turn. McHenry masterfully interweaved several, unrelated issues in society into a beautifully crafted novel that was unique and difficult to put down. The protagonist, Ginny, had Asperger’s and gave the entire story a unique perspective that was far different from any other book that I have read before. Although Ginny was a minimalistic speak...more From the very first chapter to the last page of the book, McHenry’s exceptional story kept me at the edge of my seat with surprises waiting for me at every turn. McHenry masterfully interweaved several, unrelated issues in society into a beautifully crafted novel that was unique and difficult to put down. The protagonist, Ginny, had Asperger’s and gave the entire story a unique perspective that was far different from any other book that I have read before. Although Ginny was a minimalistic speaker, she related situations in her life to food. Her various descriptions were so rich and detailed and simply were a pleasure to read. I appreciated the fact that this story is in no way predictable; the story was exciting because I never would have been able to anticipate the ending of the story.

Ginny began as an extremely shy, socially awkward individual who avoided direct eye contact and physical contact with the people around her. However, when tragedy struck and she lost both of her parents, she was forced to look after herself and protect what she loved. Throughout that entire process, she transformed and evolved, allowing herself to step out of her comfort zone for the first time in her life. Ultimately, she fell in love and built friendships that truly illustrated the metamorphosis she experienced because of her struggles. Not only did she face internal conflicts that prevented her from accepting the reality of her parents’ death, but she also faced conflicts with her family and the supernatural. A question that was frequently brought up in the story was what it really meant to be normal. In the end, Ginny realized that there is no “set” definition to the world “normal.” The word has various interpretations that are different to every individual, so anyone can be normal. It reminded me that being normal is not simply about fitting in, but accepting oneself instead. A motif that made its appearance several times throughout the story was Ginny’s Normal Book. She read magazine or newspaper articles and pasted excerpts into the book that contained the word “normal.” Naturally, every sentence held a different meaning to the word “normal,” just like every individual has a different interpretation of the word. It also reminded Ginny that just because she was different, it did not mean she was not normal.

I truly enjoyed reading McHenry’s writing simply because her style was so elegant and simplistic. For example, whenever Ginny set foot into the kitchen, her descriptions of food and cooking were simply joyful to read. “The thick brown batter pours in a glistening ribbon into the foil lined pan…the rich, dark batter coats the inside of my mouth. The dark bitterness of the espresso cuts the sweetness (McHenry 49)” McHenry so easily made clear illustrations in my head that transported me into the story itself. Additionally, McHenry’s minimalistic style can be seen within the first sentences of the novel, “Bad things come in threes. My father dies. My mother dies. Then there’s the funeral” (1). The simplicity within McHenry’s concise sentences gets messages across bluntly but effectively. Her diction was extremely simple to comprehend which contributed to the novel’s simplicity.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I would recommend it to anyone who wishes to read a unique, unpredictable story. I enjoyed witnessing Ginny’s transformation and the journey she experienced in order to make that transformation. While reading this story, I experienced a wide range of the emotions that Ginny and the other characters felt. Not only did McHenry write about the meaning of the word “normal,” but she described many other ever-present themes in modern society today. The story underwent so many twists and turns that the ending left me breathless and mind blown.
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Sep 26, 2012 Michael Li rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jael McHenry’s The Kitchen Daughter is an extremely captivating novel. From the moment the reader opens the book and reads the first several words, he or she is hooked into a magical world, yet seemingly real. The book centers around a young woman named Ginny who is afflicted with Asperger’s Syndrome. Her strange background introduces one of the main conflicts: man versus self. Throughout the novel, she struggles to fit in with society, constantly searching for what is considered “normal”. From...more Jael McHenry’s The Kitchen Daughter is an extremely captivating novel. From the moment the reader opens the book and reads the first several words, he or she is hooked into a magical world, yet seemingly real. The book centers around a young woman named Ginny who is afflicted with Asperger’s Syndrome. Her strange background introduces one of the main conflicts: man versus self. Throughout the novel, she struggles to fit in with society, constantly searching for what is considered “normal”. From this quest, another conflict is introduced: man versus society. Due to her having Asperger’s, Ginny also struggles to form any relationships with friends and family. Her awkward and shy nature usually isolates her from the rest of society. However, when Ginny does have the chance to interact with others, she usually irritates them in some manner.
The theme of The Kitchen Daughter is “persevere through hardships, no matter how hard”. McHenry conveys this wisdom by effectively using character development and literary devices. In the beginning, Ginny was insecure with herself, as was shown in her actions after her parents’ funerals. Whenever she was scared or sad, she would sprint upstairs and conceal herself in the closet until she was ready to come out. However, over the course of the novel, Ginny began to slowly change. After her unexpected visit to the psychiatrist, Ginny underwent some minor changes that benefited her. She was slowly overcoming the hardships of Asperger’s Syndrome by modifying her personality and abandoning her idiosyncrasies. By the end of the novel, Ginny felt more secure about herself and was more outgoing than she was before. She was making efforts to reach out to other people in her life and actually caring about them. What brought about this change was David’s unfortunate death. David’s sudden death allowed Ginny to realize what she had been doing all her life: pushing people away from her. Because David had actually been so intimate with Ginny, she felt the need to help Gert through the mourning process, which showed Ginny’s transformation. All of this is described vividly and beautifully by using certain literary devices. One that was used quite often in the novel was the simile. Whenever Ginny looked at a new person, she immediately glanced at him or her, associating their physical characteristics with food. McHenry does this so effectively that the reader is able to visualize this fictional person in their mind. A majority of the novel is filled with food-related similes, which allows the reader to think constantly about how things are being described. McHenry definitely was adamant about this theme and showed it using two of the characters: Ginny and David. Ginny overcame the hardships of Asperger’s and David overcame his fear of automobiles. The actions of these two characters show that perseverance reaps great rewards. As a whole, this novel boosts the self-esteem of any reader. The reader is instilled with a new sense of hope about life and realizes that almost anything is possible, as long as he or she perseveres.
Jael McHenry’s writing style is interestingly unique. One part uses long, comforting sentences, whereas the other part uses short, dramatic sentences. “The columnist counsels her to either address it head-on or let it go, because the pent-up resentment is harmful. Channel negative energy into something positive, says the advice” (McHenry 159). McHenry captures a sense of peace and allows the reader to relax for a while. However, when it becomes more dramatic, her writing style seems to almost change completely. “It’s David, but it isn’t David…His eyes are tired and sad. David is dead” (254). Although McHenry uses such short sentences, she uses them in a fashion that still contains much detail and impact. In a way, she plays with the human imagination so that readers think about things more in depth. Her two-sided writing style is something that many authors do not really use. She suddenly inserts plot twists in the middle of nowhere to completely throw the reader off, but this is what attracts and interests some people.
Overall, this book was quite satisfying. It is something that is certainly refreshing and new in its genre. It captures the essence of Asperger’s Syndrome, which many people falsely associate with normal autism. The Kitchen Daughter never failed to disappoint and certainly kept readers captivated with each new detail that was added. I would definitely recommend this novel to others because it is something unique. The unexpected plot twists and development truly entertain readers and keep them wondering what will happen next. This book certainly lives up to modern-day standards and is definitely worthy of its praise.
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Jul 06, 2012 April rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads

A book with so many layers I am struggling to articulate my review...

On the surface, it's a book about the oddly peculiar Ginny Selvaggio and her struggle to pick up the pieces after the sudden and tragic death of her parents. Extraordinarily sheltered and shy, she rarely leaves her home, holing herself up in her closet to calm herself. Her older sister, Amanda tries to step up and act as caretaker and protector for her younger sister, a role previously played by their mother. Amanda constantly...more

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May 16, 2012 Gwyneth Stewart rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is one of my remainder table finds. I love shopping the remainder table at my local bookstore, searching out books that didn't hit the best seller's list, but still might be interesting. This book is a perfect example of why I like shopping the remainder table. It's a first novel, and a truly original take on family, cooking, ghosts, and the things that bind us together. The main character, Ginny, and her sister Amanda, have just lost their parents. Both of them are still in their 20's, but...more

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Apr 11, 2012 Samantha Harvey rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was nothing like I thought it would be. Good Reads recommended it to me based on the fact that I liked "Garden Spells," by Sarah Addison Allen, so I assumed it would be similar, however as soon as I began to read about Ginny I knew there was something different about her... and then I discovered she was more like Temple Grandin than Claire Waverley. Actually, there's a little nod to Temple in the book regarding her "Hugging Machine."

The book, contrary to Good Reads' description of it,...more This book was nothing like I thought it would be. Good Reads recommended it to me based on the fact that I liked "Garden Spells," by Sarah Addison Allen, so I assumed it would be similar, however as soon as I began to read about Ginny I knew there was something different about her... and then I discovered she was more like Temple Grandin than Claire Waverley. Actually, there's a little nod to Temple in the book regarding her "Hugging Machine."

The book, contrary to Good Reads' description of it, is not about a 26 year old woman who is "painfully shy and sheltered," it is about a 26 year old woman who as been living with Asperger's syndrome, un-diagnosed, for her entire life. When her parents die suddenly, she is forced to live in a world without the protection of her parents and her sister, Amanda, the new family matriarch, suspecting that Ginny has Asperger's, worries so badly that Ginny will not know how to get along in this world without her parents, which causes a sudden rift between them.

Ginny, distraught and panicked at the wake, decides to cook, which is her most dear hobby and source of comfort. She finds a recipe of her grandmother's and when the smell of the food fills the kitchen her grandmother appears to her, with a warning.

It was a very good book and I fear that it has been thrown in with romance and magical realism. The ghosts Ginny sees might be scent memories, recalled so strongly to her mind due to her incredible eidetic memory, but then again, she can call people whom she's never met, so maybe there is some magic to it... Anyway, that's no reason to lump this book in with chick-lit.

It's a complex story, and it's wonderful. I think it could be used as a learning tool for families dealing with a child with Asperger's or a mild form of autism. Not everyone is the same, but it might help parents with a child on the spectrum.

The story was lovely, sad at times, but still nice. I gave it 4 stars because I really liked it, but I didn't love it.(less)

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Feb 24, 2012 Roberta rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Dopo la morte di entrambi i genitori Ginny, una ragazza particolarmente timida e con una personalità molto particolare, si ritrova a dover affrontare non solo le sue mille paure, ma anche la sorella che vorrebbe vendere la casa in cui ha sempre vissuto.
Ginny trova consolazione e forza nelle ricette tramandate dai membri della sua famiglia e attraverso esse riporta "in vita" i suoi familiari...
Sarà attraverso le sue ricette che Ginny ritroverà se stessa e capirà quale strada prendere per riusci...more

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Feb 18, 2012 Erin rated it 3 of 5 stars

I thought this book was a very calm and gentle book, despite the massive, sad tragedies that occur within its pages. Ginny has Aspergers, and sees and feels the world in a way that is different from most people. She doesn't like to be touched, and tries to understand the emotions of others. The book begins with the death of her parents, which rocks her world. They were her touchstones, they were her guides in a world that was difficult for her to manuever in certain ways. She is left with alone,...more

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Feb 05, 2012 April rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: women-s-fiction, asperger-s-syndrome, cooking, recipes

THE KITCHEN DAUGHTER by Jael McHenry is an interesting women's fiction. It tells the story of Ginny Selvaggio, a young women who is shy,sheltered,loss her parent's to an unexpected death,finds comfort in the kitchen and has Asperger's syndrome. It has ghosts,cooking,recipes,mystery,family,secrets,living with Asperger's,acceptance,loss,grief,intrigue,love and characters who are compelling along with the delicious almost smelling recipes described throughout this delightful story. "The Kitchen Dau...more

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Jan 31, 2012 Katherine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Katherine by: Holly of Nothing But Bonfires

I really enjoyed this book--it's kind of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time mixed with Like Water for Chocolate and The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake. The plot twists in unexpected ways but it's still a quick read and fairly straightforward in the end. I identified with the main character a lot in the personality traits that overlap between those with Asberger's and strong introverts as well as the feeling of sinking into the process of cooking.

I think Holly's review sums it u...more

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Jan 13, 2012 Jackie rated it 2 of 5 stars

I would probably rather give this book 3 stars for effort, and only 2 stars for result. I get the sense that Ms. McHenry isn't quite sure what she herself wants this book to be: A "cause" book (informing the public about aspbergers), a book about cooking, a book about relationships, a book about grieving or simply a narrative about life. In any event, I don't think she accomplishes any of these particularly well.

I expected to like this a lot better than I did. And I admit that I stuck with it,...more

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Jan 12, 2012 JenniferJ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: zzz2012

This was a fascinating story of a young lady who has Asperger's Syndrome and has tragically lost her parents and now trying to live on her own. She never really knew anything was wrong with her because she led a sheltered life which has not prepared her for living in the "real" world so to speak. Even so I still got angry with her sister quite a bit. She just assumes Ginny should now come to stay in her home and they will automatically sell the family home and get rid of the things inside and ne...more

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Jul 29, 2011 Jan rated it 4 of 5 stars

I don't do "chick lit," but I was intrigued by the premise of this story, and I'm so glad I read it. Ginny, the protagonist and voice of this story, has Asperger's syndrome, but she also has the tendency to think of things and people in terms of food. Someone has an "orange juice voice," and another has an "espresso voice." When she is confused by a social situation, Ginny finds comfort in food, either cooking it or imagining it being cooked. Just thinking of the colors and smells of carmelizing...more

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Jul 03, 2011 Cathy rated it 4 of 5 stars

I loved this book and couldn't put it down until I finished it. Ginny's voice is so fresh and different from the average female protagonist. I have read several nonfiction books about Asperger's and felt McHenry did an excellent job portraying a young woman with that syndrome. Ginny had Asperger's but the book became more about her acceptance of herself and reaching out to others in her life so that they would accept her as well.

I am not a particularly good chef, I'm more of a baker, but I love...more

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