Wednesday 30 October 2013

Toast by Nigel Slater

Toast-Nigel-Slater

I don't quite know what to say about Toast by Nigel Slater other than that I loved it – even though memoirs are not usually my sort of thing.  It was sort of like an Angela's Ashes without being so grim.  It is written by the UK food writer Nigel Slater – who has a wonderful way with words and a wit that is so dry it is a wonder that it doesn't strike sparks.

The book has been made into a movie – but I don't think I'll seek the movie out – I wouldn't want to spoil the foodie aftertaste of the book.

The book tells of the author's early life from about 8 until his late teens all through the lens of food memories.  He doesn't pull any punches and doesn't try to come across as perfect and certainly portrays his parents in less than flattering terms in many ways.  But he leavens it all with great humour.

A quick but satisfying meal of a read.



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7 comments:

  1. I love memoirs and will have to look for this one!

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  2. I read this last year and then watched the movie afterwards. You don't get the same feeling of loneliness in the movie. Isn't it funny how annoyed readers get when they do away with pivotal book characters in the movies? One of my favourite quotes from the book: "My father loved a jam tart and would put one in whole and swallow it like a snake devouring a bird’s egg." Such great imagery :)

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  3. I didn't realise it had been made into a film. I loved this memoir - he beautifully avoided being too bleak, although there were many things that were indeed quite grim.

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  4. Carole, I found your comment about his wit sooo funny... :-)
    Regards.

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  5. I would see the film for Freddie High more who is currently brilliant in Bates Motel. Sadly I cannot stand Nigel slater's little-naughty-boy-glances on his otherwise fascinating cookery show, so for that reason would give it a miss

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  6. I watched the movie and didn't read the book (so many books, so little time). I enjoyed the British setting!

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  7. I have this book sitting on one of my shelves. I didn't know it was a movie either.

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