Our February/March Cook the Books Pick - Dinner with Edward - a memoir by Isabel Vincent

Vincent, a reporter, author, and journalist for the New York Post has written in this memoir of her encounter, and developing friendship with Edward, the father of a good friend, who was at that time out of the country.  Though struggling with her own crumbling marriage, a recent move and demanding new job, Vincent agrees, at her friend's request, to check in on him once in a while. The 93-year-old widower is depressed and ready to give up on life after the death of his much loved wife.

In Dinner with Edward: A Story of an Unexpected Friendship, what began as an occasional dinner meant to keep an old man company soon develops into a rich friendship, giving both Edward and Isabel reasons to reconsider why they’re alive, while encouraging her to appreciate the fine art of living as she begins, with his encouragement, to create a life that's more rewarding and full for herself.  

 And from the Publisher's summary:  "Isabel has no idea that the man in the kitchen baking the sublime roast chicken and light-as-air apricot soufflé will end up changing her life. As Edward and Isabel meet weekly for the glorious dinners that Edward prepares, he shares so much more than his recipes for apple galette or the perfect martini, or even his tips for deboning poultry. Edward is teaching Isabel the luxury of slowing down and taking the time to think through everything she does, to deconstruct her own life, cutting it back to the bone and examining the guts, no matter how messy that proves to be."

As our last CTBC pick was a memoir about physical healing and the food that helped it to progress, this book is more about the emotional wounded and how cooking can sustain and comfort, as well as how casual acts of kindness can morph into not only friendship but life changes.  Each chapter revolves around a meal, with both menu and delectable recipes.

Submissions for this round of Cook The Books Club, hosted by Claudia at Honey from Rock, are due by end-of-the day Friday, March 31st  2017. Anyone can join by reading the current selection, preparing a dish inspired by its contents and writing about it. Let me know when your entry post is up by commenting on this post and/or sending me an email at: claudiariley@yahoo.com.   If you are new to Cook the Books Club, you can find out more at our link or the Guidelines page.