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A review by kelic
John Saturnall's Feast by Lawrence Norfolk
3.0
Synopsis- A beautiful, rich and sensuous historical novel, John Saturnall's Feast tells the story of a young orphan who becomes a kitchen boy at a manor house, and rises through the ranks to become the greatest Cook of his generation. It is a story of food, star-crossed lovers, ancient myths and one boy's rise from outcast to hero.
Orphaned when his mother dies of starvation, having been cast out of her village as a witch, John is taken in at the kitchens at Buckland Manor, where he quickly rises from kitchen-boy to Cook, and is known for his uniquely keen palate and natural cooking ability. However, he quickly gets on the wrong side of Lady Lucretia, the aristocratic daughter of the Lord of the Manor. In order to inherit the estate, Lucretia must wed, but her fiance is an arrogant buffoon. When Lucretia takes on a vow of hunger until her father calls off her engagement to her insipid husband-to-be, it falls to John to try to cook her delicious foods that might tempt her to break her fast.
Reminiscent of Wolf Hall and Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, John Saturnall's Feast is a brilliant work and a delight for all the senses.
Review- I really didn't know what to expect with this one. I initially took it out from the library based on the cover and title. I wondered if it would be like [b:Chocolat|47401|Chocolat (Chocolat, #1)|Joanne Harris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388674628l/47401._SY75_.jpg|2930558]. I don't often read the synopsis or summaries or teasers or blurbs, whatever the descriptions of books are called. I have found that they often don't fit. So I stopped ages ago and base my reading solely on recommendations or the cover. I am not often disappointed with this system, except with YA but that’s a whole different kettle of fish. Anyway, this little semi-precious stone of a gem didn't let me down. It didn't dazzle me like the ruby that is Chocolat, but it was better than I expected, which granted wasn't much, but still.
It's set during the English civil war, which was a fascinating setting to place a foodie novel in. We don't really associate the 17th century with delicious food. And, honestly, based on the descriptions in the book, we're not wrong. The foods sound disgusting. Amazing in its presentation but vile in taste. They literally ate anything back then. I like our modern trend of being a bit choosier, a refined palate if you will. So every section starts off with these unappetising but fascinating recipes, which relate to what's occurring in the story. There is a fair amount of cooking in the rest of the book but I think this is eclipsed by the budding romance of our MCs. I loved the descriptions of the Jacobean/Caroline era kitchens and the social structure of the estates. I always find it shocking how little freedom people had back then. Intellectually I know it, but for some reason it just gets me every time I'm reminded of it, particularly the little things. In this one, it's the fact that all the staff have to avert their eyes from the toffs. They have to recognise their every passing with a bow, bob, curtsey or nod but can't look at them. No looking at your betters, ugh. Another reason I'm happy to be born now.
The characters are almost as interesting as the setting. The part with John and his mom in their little village was great. There was real tension in this part and we got to know John and his mom. Sadly, that didn't last very long. The kitchen staff save, Scovell and Philip, were all one and the same. Lady Lucretia was fairly well fleshed out though. I quite liked her, she had spirit. Oftentimes women and girls are overshadowed or ignored in ye olden times novels because of their perceived lack of value outside of a marriage. So they are relegated to objects without personality and the men are center stage. Actually all of the women in the book have distinctive personalities; Mrs Poole the governess, Gemma the maid, John's mom are more that just feudal era cutouts. We're even given an insight into Lucretia's dead mother. I really liked this. I wouldn't say the novel is female centred but Lawrence does give his women agency, which is so often lacking.
The prose and pacing of the plot were pretty good. I can't say I loved Lawrence's use of language or style but it certainly didn't offend. It lacked the magic and beauty of Chocolat, which is why it is ultimately a three star read and not a four. Also, I really didn't understand the whole Feast thing. I wasn't sure if this was a biblical thing or a social hierarchy thing or a pagan thing. Ultimately, I didn't care and it didn't ruin enjoyment of the book.
Rating - Three weird and wonderful food stars. ⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Devoured the book, couldn't put it down.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Really liked it, consumed within days
⭐⭐⭐ - Enjoyed a fair bit, better than average
⭐⭐ - Meh
⭐ - Absolute drivel
Orphaned when his mother dies of starvation, having been cast out of her village as a witch, John is taken in at the kitchens at Buckland Manor, where he quickly rises from kitchen-boy to Cook, and is known for his uniquely keen palate and natural cooking ability. However, he quickly gets on the wrong side of Lady Lucretia, the aristocratic daughter of the Lord of the Manor. In order to inherit the estate, Lucretia must wed, but her fiance is an arrogant buffoon. When Lucretia takes on a vow of hunger until her father calls off her engagement to her insipid husband-to-be, it falls to John to try to cook her delicious foods that might tempt her to break her fast.
Reminiscent of Wolf Hall and Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, John Saturnall's Feast is a brilliant work and a delight for all the senses.
Review- I really didn't know what to expect with this one. I initially took it out from the library based on the cover and title. I wondered if it would be like [b:Chocolat|47401|Chocolat (Chocolat, #1)|Joanne Harris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388674628l/47401._SY75_.jpg|2930558]. I don't often read the synopsis or summaries or teasers or blurbs, whatever the descriptions of books are called. I have found that they often don't fit. So I stopped ages ago and base my reading solely on recommendations or the cover. I am not often disappointed with this system, except with YA but that’s a whole different kettle of fish. Anyway, this little semi-precious stone of a gem didn't let me down. It didn't dazzle me like the ruby that is Chocolat, but it was better than I expected, which granted wasn't much, but still.
It's set during the English civil war, which was a fascinating setting to place a foodie novel in. We don't really associate the 17th century with delicious food. And, honestly, based on the descriptions in the book, we're not wrong. The foods sound disgusting. Amazing in its presentation but vile in taste. They literally ate anything back then. I like our modern trend of being a bit choosier, a refined palate if you will. So every section starts off with these unappetising but fascinating recipes, which relate to what's occurring in the story. There is a fair amount of cooking in the rest of the book but I think this is eclipsed by the budding romance of our MCs. I loved the descriptions of the Jacobean/Caroline era kitchens and the social structure of the estates. I always find it shocking how little freedom people had back then. Intellectually I know it, but for some reason it just gets me every time I'm reminded of it, particularly the little things. In this one, it's the fact that all the staff have to avert their eyes from the toffs. They have to recognise their every passing with a bow, bob, curtsey or nod but can't look at them. No looking at your betters, ugh. Another reason I'm happy to be born now.
The characters are almost as interesting as the setting. The part with John and his mom in their little village was great. There was real tension in this part and we got to know John and his mom. Sadly, that didn't last very long. The kitchen staff save, Scovell and Philip, were all one and the same. Lady Lucretia was fairly well fleshed out though. I quite liked her, she had spirit. Oftentimes women and girls are overshadowed or ignored in ye olden times novels because of their perceived lack of value outside of a marriage. So they are relegated to objects without personality and the men are center stage. Actually all of the women in the book have distinctive personalities; Mrs Poole the governess, Gemma the maid, John's mom are more that just feudal era cutouts. We're even given an insight into Lucretia's dead mother. I really liked this. I wouldn't say the novel is female centred but Lawrence does give his women agency, which is so often lacking.
The prose and pacing of the plot were pretty good. I can't say I loved Lawrence's use of language or style but it certainly didn't offend. It lacked the magic and beauty of Chocolat, which is why it is ultimately a three star read and not a four. Also, I really didn't understand the whole Feast thing. I wasn't sure if this was a biblical thing or a social hierarchy thing or a pagan thing. Ultimately, I didn't care and it didn't ruin enjoyment of the book.
Rating - Three weird and wonderful food stars. ⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Devoured the book, couldn't put it down.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Really liked it, consumed within days
⭐⭐⭐ - Enjoyed a fair bit, better than average
⭐⭐ - Meh
⭐ - Absolute drivel