Culinary Magic? Um, not really.

[Mathis]

I had high hopes for this book, but at the end of the day it just didn't delivery. It took me a minute to get into this story due to all the narration and back story which I had to wade through like jello. I wanted to give up within the first few pages, but I decided to soldier through. It didn't become interesting until the Hajis moved to Lumiere. That is where the fun begins! But unfortunately it doesn't last long. Once Hassan moves away to Paris, everyone that seems pivotal to the plot, just instantly dies off. And with these colorful figures gone Hassan's character becomes cold and stoic. He spends most of his time worrying about financial business crisis and burying love ones. I don't know, I just found the last segment unsavoring and depressing.

Also, I noticed there was a slight racial undertone throughout the story, which was a bit unexpected, yet interesting. For some reason, I thought this book was going to be about a blossoming romance laced with a food adventure like Julie and Julia. But unfortunately I was wrong. However the food descriptions were beautifully written and mouthwatering.


Here is a brief synopsis:

The Hundred Foot Journey is about a Muslim Family, the Hajis, who starts a restaurant business in Mumbai, and then packs up and leaves after a tragedy strikes due to a religious riot. The Hajis moves to London, and then settles in Lumiere in France. There, the family opens up another Indian bistro and meets Madame Mallory, a haughty, xenophobic, renowned chef of a 2 star French restaurant. She becomes the Hajis' rival and she desperately attempts to force them out of her quaint village.

I could see why Oprah picked this up and made it into a movie given its filled with life lessons and spiritual principles, which to follow your dreams. But at the end of the day this simply wasn't my cup of tea; I would have liked more garam masala. I give it 2.5 stars.

[Jane]

I really wanted to love this book too and was hoping for more food and romance. After reading the book, I didn't want to see the movie.

[Mathis]

Sweetpea wrote: "I really wanted to love this book too and was hoping for more food and romance. After reading the book, I didn't want to see the movie."

Yeah, the romance was disappointing. I understand that Hassan had an issue with falling in love due to his mother's untimely death. But sometimes he came across as an unromantic, little prick. I really didn't care for his character.

I think I could wait to see this on DVD.

[Son]

I could NOT get past the third chapter. It made me rot inside when talking about his father and then the drudgery of continuing was too great. I expected so much more. I really thought that there would be more food involved and found that lacking, especially after watching the author on YouTube who NEVER tasted some of the dishes he wrote about!!! That made me mad, write about the food you know so you can get the tastes and smells right the first time.

I'm gonna go to my local Pakistani eatery now.

[Claudette]

I agree. A very disappointing book. The first half was promising, but once Hassan went to Paris, the story was effectively over, except for words.

[Carolyn]

I agree. Although I enjoyed it overall, this book fell a little flat for me. I found the Hajis' dialect difficult to translate in my head to something realistic, and maybe as a result I never fully connected with that part of the book; it felt like an overdone caricature.

** spoiler alert **



I also felt the last segment of the book (after the final Michelin star was awarded) was different in tone and tempo than the segments in India and in Lumiere, and in Paris up to that point.

[Thea]

This book was very herd to read but I hate leaving started books unread. I had to make my self read it. I will see the movie tomorrow I hope it is better.