A review by rorikae
Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang

reflective medium-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

4.0

'Land of Milk and Honey' by C Pam Zhang is a thoughtful literary novel about a cook who takes up a position cooking for the rich on an Italian mountain. 
Animals are going extinct and the environment is devastated. In this world, a cook accepts a position to cook for the wealthy on a reclusive Italian mountain. At first unsure about her employer and his intentions, she slowly begins to understand more about her position as she gets to know his daughter. But there are questions about the true intentions of her employer and those who come to the mountain as she gets further and further entangled in their lives. 
C Pam Zhang has crafted a fascinating character study in a near future that shows us the perils of what may happen if we do not take ecological disaster seriously. The main character is an intriguing and deeply flawed character, which actually makes them more interesting to follow. I really appreciated how the truth of the world and the situation that the cook is in were slowly peeled back through her interactions. Many of the supporting characters were frustrating but in a very human, believable way. I would have loved to learn more about the world but I don't believe that was the intent of this book. I also really appreciated the food writing and how C Pam Zhang talked about different ingredients and dishes. 
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