Publisher: Touchstone
Publication Date: Paperback released on March 4, 2014
Source: Touchstone/Alison Law
Description:
A rich, beautiful novel about three unlikely, complex characters who meet in a chic Manhattan café and realize they must sacrifice everything they ever knew or cared about to find authenticity, fulfillment, and love.
A Place at the Table tells the story of three richly nuanced characters whose paths converge in a chic Manhattan café: Bobby, a gay Southern boy who has been ostracized by his family; Amelia, a wealthy Connecticut woman whose life is upended when a family secret finally comes to light; and Alice, an African-American chef whose heritage is the basis of a famous cookbook but whose past is a mystery to those who know her.
As it sweeps from a freed-slave settlement in 1920s North Carolina to the Manhattan of the deadly AIDs epidemic of the 1980s to today’s wealthy suburbs, A Place at the Table celebrates the healing power of food and the magic of New York as three seekers come together in the understanding that when you embrace the thing that makes you different, you become whole.
A Place at the Table tells the story of three richly nuanced characters whose paths converge in a chic Manhattan café: Bobby, a gay Southern boy who has been ostracized by his family; Amelia, a wealthy Connecticut woman whose life is upended when a family secret finally comes to light; and Alice, an African-American chef whose heritage is the basis of a famous cookbook but whose past is a mystery to those who know her.
As it sweeps from a freed-slave settlement in 1920s North Carolina to the Manhattan of the deadly AIDs epidemic of the 1980s to today’s wealthy suburbs, A Place at the Table celebrates the healing power of food and the magic of New York as three seekers come together in the understanding that when you embrace the thing that makes you different, you become whole.
My Thoughts:
This book contains some of my favorite topics: social justice, family drama, and FOOD. (The author even shared a recipe at the end that I’m dying to try. I just know it’s going to be mouthwatering.)
I was especially struck by the character of Bobby. His story is compelling and heartbreaking. There’s a wonderful lesson to be taken away from his tale but the author doesn’t hit you over the head with it. It’s clear and true but not at all preachy.
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| Susan Rebecca White |
This book is rich, moving, and lovely. Even if it wrapped up a bit too neatly for my taste I still highly recommend it. If you’re looking for a timely novel about loving acceptance (and scrumptious eats!) you can’t go wrong with A Place at the Table.
What is one of your favorite family recipes? I’d love to hear about them!
The Relentless Reader 
I'm a foodie, so I'd probably like that part of the novel and also that it's around the 1920s. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jen!
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Ohhh yes, you'd love the food. Mmm!
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This sounds like a great book…just added it to my ever growing TBR list!
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This sounds really good. I like how it manages to include all of your likes. And food? Who doesn't love food?
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Mmmm this sounds good! I like reading about food, and eating food. It's the cooking part I'm not down with.
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Traveling with T said this book was really good too. I love to cook, only cause I really love to eat and need easy access to food. Thanks for sharing.
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this one does sound like a great book club book! think I'll recommend it at my next bookish meeting! and my favorite recipe? too many to choose – love love love food!
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This book is on my wish list… bumping it up even higher now!
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Hehehe, glad to help! 😉
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Mmmm, foooood! 😀
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I don't mind cooking but there are days when I'd like to just belly up to the table and let someone else do it 😉
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We're both telling the truth 😀 I promise!
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Oh yes, it really would be good for a book club! Hooray for food! 😉
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I'm glad to hear it, JoAnn! I hope you like it as much as I did. 😀
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This was one of my favorite books I read last year. I absolutely fell in love with the writing, the characters, everything. Such a gorgeous novel.
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This sounds very good!
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I've read another of White's books, but I hadn't heard of this one before! I am always a sucker for books that take place in multiple time periods. 🙂
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Right?? The characters are so good in this one 😀 I'm looking forward to whatever she comes up with next!
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It is, it is! I promise 😀
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I don't think I've ever read anything else of hers. I'm definitely going to have to seek something out 😀
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It was wrapped up a bit too neatly but you're so right about White's ability to write about a subject without hitting you over the head with her message.
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Right? You know she's teaching you something but not in an overt way. Lovely 😀
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