Saturday, April 14, 2007

I am reading...




"My Life in France", by Julia Child with Alex Prud'homme



I love Julia Child.

Her enormous frame crammed behind that old wooden chopping-block counter of hers, merrily juggling carving knives and occasionally dropping large cuts of meat on the floor... all the while, whooping advice, such as, "Remember!! You are ALONE in the kitchen!!" Hers was one of my favourite shows. That voice... that je ne sais quois... she was encroyable.

This book is chock-full of Julia. It is written in her voice, using her "lingo", complete with all of her colourful interjections: "Ouf!!" " Phooey!!" and even, "Merde, alors!!"

Hers was a fascinating life, and she was a colourful, intelligent and diligent person. She was always striving to better herself, to become more "worldly", and to share her incredible knowledge and enthusiasm with other people.

She was also an intensely humble and private person. Her husband, Paul Child, was not only the love of her life, but also a great inspiration and help to her. As well as being a highly talented artist and successful American diplomat in France, Germany and Norway, he actively supported Julia's work in every way imaginable. He took the photographs to instruct the illustrator of "Mastering the Art of French Cooking", he taught the wine component at her cooking school, and even hastily washed dishes in large tubs of cold water behind the scenes at her book promotions/demonstrations... Their relationship was one of two truly dedicated soul-mates.

This book is delighting me. It makes me laugh. It makes me hungry. It makes me want to work at becoming a more curious and adventurous cook...

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