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merixien's review against another edition
5.0
Tarihi kurgu sevmeyenlerin dahi keyif alacağı, yemeğin büyüsünü saray mutfağı ile harmanlayan, kimi zaman gidişatı tahmin edebilseniz de, genel olarak merak öğesini devamlı canlı tutan bir kitap. Bence tek sıkıntısı sonunun biraz aceleye getirilmiş olması. Onun dışında yemeğin büyülü dünyasına, baharatlara, yıldızlara ve hayata dair beklediğimin çok üstünde bir kitap oldu.
irene_addler's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Don't read this on an empty stomach!
The weakest point was the prose. There were shining moments, but most of the prose was fairly lackluster, and I even saw some typos in the ebook I read. I believe the book was translated into English, so I'm curious if the original text is more lyrical, or if the prose also feel bland and flat.
The omniscient narration and dubbing the main character "the cook" lent to some confusion as well, but overall, it's a fairly easy read.
Despite the few shortcomings, I was caught up in the story, and often find my mouth watering at the foods. The plot tugged at my heart and I loved many of the characters and hated others. The romance is beautiful and lovely. I definitely recommend this for a fun, quick, yet interesting read!
It was also very cool to learn a bit more about the Ottoman Empire.
The weakest point was the prose. There were shining moments, but most of the prose was fairly lackluster, and I even saw some typos in the ebook I read. I believe the book was translated into English, so I'm curious if the original text is more lyrical, or if the prose also feel bland and flat.
The omniscient narration and dubbing the main character "the cook" lent to some confusion as well, but overall, it's a fairly easy read.
Despite the few shortcomings, I was caught up in the story, and often find my mouth watering at the foods. The plot tugged at my heart and I loved many of the characters and hated others. The romance is beautiful and lovely. I definitely recommend this for a fun, quick, yet interesting read!
It was also very cool to learn a bit more about the Ottoman Empire.
tenasadie's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
themoonphoenix's review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
raekit's review against another edition
4.0
I went back and forth between 3 and 4 stars.
I love the deliciousness of this book; the loving way Ersin writes about food.
In some ways this reminded me of a much less violent and less developed Song of Fire and Ice. It has political intrigue and magic and power all entangled not to mention strange figures from around the world, dancers and prostitutes and love.
It does lack the depth of Martin's work but it has that adventure feel. Plus the writing about food is more detailed and more exciting.
I love the deliciousness of this book; the loving way Ersin writes about food.
In some ways this reminded me of a much less violent and less developed Song of Fire and Ice. It has political intrigue and magic and power all entangled not to mention strange figures from around the world, dancers and prostitutes and love.
It does lack the depth of Martin's work but it has that adventure feel. Plus the writing about food is more detailed and more exciting.
bookishnookish's review
4.0
Absolutely scrumptious! The characters and the intrigue is a very heady and exciting mix. While I would have liked more from Kamer, it was from the POV of the Cook. The only downside being that this tale will make you extremely hungry.
abookishtype's review against another edition
4.0
Food is powerful. A good meal can bring people together who normally can’t stand to be together (Thanksgiving, anyone?). A favorite dish can recall lost memories of childhood (Proust made a whole career out of this). But in Saygın Ersin’s The Pasha of Cuisine (translated by Mark Wyers), a man known only as the cook attempts to use his mastery of flavor and scent to win back his lost love from the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire himself...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss, for review consideration.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss, for review consideration.
seamyst's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
cjbookjunkie's review against another edition
4.0
A great story of a cook who masters all elements of the alchemy of food for one greater purpose. He lost his one true love through circumstances he could not control. Will his plan to use the power of cuisine help him to find her? The author beautifully melds the stories of the characters with lessons about the effects that flavors, scents, and all aspects of foods have on our lives all while giving us a history lesson about the Ottoman Empire. I've been to Turkey but did not know too much about the Ottoman Empire or culture, so this book taught me as well as entertained me with the story and the descriptions of the unique qualities and powers of foods. I will look for other books by this author.