This memoir would be a good fit for people who love cooking & baking, although the first half of the book largely focuses on Ellis’ strained relationship with her husband, and her experience of depression. Anyone who has ever felt lost or tried to find their “purpose” will likely relate to Ellis’s experiences.
The most interesting part of the book for me was the last 10 pages, where she describes what it was actually like to run her very successful bakery in the early days. Those pages were the most honest depiction of what it’s like to start a business I’ve ever read. I wish more of the book were about that, but the bakery’s opening is basically what this memoir builds up to, as it documents how Ellis tried to steer her life toward something more joyful & fulfilling. The style of the memoir may not be for everyone, as it is somewhat loose in structure and jumps around in time. Still, the photos, recipes, and colourful pages establish the book as an atypical yet memorable memoir.
Elizabeth Zott is such a unique character, and I was very inspired by her determination and refusal to accept the status quo of her time. Even though this book is set in the past, it is still very relevant today, and I think both women and men will get a lot from it. I like that the plot had twists I didn't see coming, and a cast of well-fleshed out, loveable, and not-so-loveable characters. This one was a super quick and super fun read.
The audiobook narrator sounded like he was reading a textbook. Did not enjoy. Overall this book had very common sense insights, nothing really revolutionary.
This book had my attention from the very sentence and never let it go. Although I read it slowly I loved how much time I got to spend in this world and with these characters. It is, if not THE best, one of the best books I have ever read. The main character has a voice that is so compelling, it's hard to not just pause in awe every couple of paragraphs at the truths so beautifully written on every page. Somehow the book manages to have so much heart and humour despite all the tragic things that happen. To me it is a 6 out of 5, and it will stay with me forever.