I listened to your interview on Everything Cookbooks podcast & thoroughly enjoyed the history of your writing offered in this segment. Then I downloaded 'For You Mom, Finally.' I need to read this because of what you said about your mom, that she was a product of that time, as was my mom. For me, what really helped was watching Feud: Capote vs The Swans. Those women of the 1950s & 1960s, were my mom's role models, the women she would have loved to be. And yet? Those women were products of their time too. They dressed, they gossiped, they drank and smoked..... Idle minds historically have been deleterious to women.... But what were their options? Even rich women fell in line with those times.....Found comfort in what you said about your mom and those times that she and my mom lived in.
I lived around the corner from The Swallow in 1979, on Channing Way. I worked as a cashier at The Espresso Experience across the street so I didn't have the money to eat there, but I know I did a couple of times. The food was great but the staff, OMFG. I remember a long haired British guy having a prolonged raging temper tantrum at his daughter which made me so miserable I couldn't finish my lunch.
In other news, I belong to a FB group called "Jewish Women Talk About Books" and recommended The Paris Novel. I got many many many positive responses from people who had already read it and loved it or were planning to read it or who listed your other books that they had enjoyed.
This comment is not on point (other than that I live in the Seattle area and am glad you got a taste of our wonderful dining options. Next time, be sure to visit Three Sacks Full. It is a tiny gem!)
I am writing to tell you how much I enjoyed your book, “The Paris Novel.” The writing is wonderful, the story is engaging, the food, fashion, and locations are fabulous, the arc of the story is uplifting and optimistic, the characters (both created and historical) are vibrant, and the two little mysteries sucked me in. What I most want to say is how annoyed I am at the anonymous review by Kirkus that characterized your novel as somewhat “ridiculous.” I am certain the anonymous reviewer 1. is a man, 2 just skimmed the novel and didn’t sit in a comfy chair with a café au lait to read it, and 3. has never learned the concept of suspending disbelief.
I am sad I am about to finish your lovely book today. I will miss living in that world. Brava!
I loved your description of The Swallow! It reminded me of the early days of casa nueva.com, also worker-owned and still going strong in lovely Athens, Ohio!
A loyal fan for years: when you were a restaurant critic visiting in disguise 🤦♀️. I attended a book signing at Seattle’s bookstore sitting next to a pile of books awaiting your signature. A gushing fan approached so happy to meet RR not in disguise (me)! Such an honor for me but had t info
Whenever we visited my parents we went to the Bay Wolf. We liked it so much that after my parents died, my extended family had a wonderful funeral lunch where we told stories about our parents and toasted them with lots of of champagne..
I’ve been obsessed with your stories about the Swallow since I read your first book! It’s such inspiration for what I hope to open one day, albeit with maybe better service 🙃
I went to school at Berkeley from 1969-73. I don't remember when I discovered the Swallow (it was before you moved to the museum), but I consumed many walnut-and-olive sandwiches and still make them for myself. My culinary eyeballs were opened after years of hamburger casseroles at home -- I loved the Swallow dearly. Thank you!
I listened to your interview on Everything Cookbooks podcast & thoroughly enjoyed the history of your writing offered in this segment. Then I downloaded 'For You Mom, Finally.' I need to read this because of what you said about your mom, that she was a product of that time, as was my mom. For me, what really helped was watching Feud: Capote vs The Swans. Those women of the 1950s & 1960s, were my mom's role models, the women she would have loved to be. And yet? Those women were products of their time too. They dressed, they gossiped, they drank and smoked..... Idle minds historically have been deleterious to women.... But what were their options? Even rich women fell in line with those times.....Found comfort in what you said about your mom and those times that she and my mom lived in.
I lived around the corner from The Swallow in 1979, on Channing Way. I worked as a cashier at The Espresso Experience across the street so I didn't have the money to eat there, but I know I did a couple of times. The food was great but the staff, OMFG. I remember a long haired British guy having a prolonged raging temper tantrum at his daughter which made me so miserable I couldn't finish my lunch.
In other news, I belong to a FB group called "Jewish Women Talk About Books" and recommended The Paris Novel. I got many many many positive responses from people who had already read it and loved it or were planning to read it or who listed your other books that they had enjoyed.
This comment is not on point (other than that I live in the Seattle area and am glad you got a taste of our wonderful dining options. Next time, be sure to visit Three Sacks Full. It is a tiny gem!)
I am writing to tell you how much I enjoyed your book, “The Paris Novel.” The writing is wonderful, the story is engaging, the food, fashion, and locations are fabulous, the arc of the story is uplifting and optimistic, the characters (both created and historical) are vibrant, and the two little mysteries sucked me in. What I most want to say is how annoyed I am at the anonymous review by Kirkus that characterized your novel as somewhat “ridiculous.” I am certain the anonymous reviewer 1. is a man, 2 just skimmed the novel and didn’t sit in a comfy chair with a café au lait to read it, and 3. has never learned the concept of suspending disbelief.
I am sad I am about to finish your lovely book today. I will miss living in that world. Brava!
Thank you for coming to Walrus! Sad I missed seeing you!
I loved your description of The Swallow! It reminded me of the early days of casa nueva.com, also worker-owned and still going strong in lovely Athens, Ohio!
Thanks for that Amy. I just went on their website; Casa Nueva sounds great! (The correct link is https://casanueva.com/about-us/our-story/
We would have been regulars at The Swallow
Love you Ruth! You’re so inspiring.💕
A loyal fan for years: when you were a restaurant critic visiting in disguise 🤦♀️. I attended a book signing at Seattle’s bookstore sitting next to a pile of books awaiting your signature. A gushing fan approached so happy to meet RR not in disguise (me)! Such an honor for me but had t info
I think of you as a gourmet and a foodie. You are adventurous and knowledgeable about food from many different cuisines.
Whenever we visited my parents we went to the Bay Wolf. We liked it so much that after my parents died, my extended family had a wonderful funeral lunch where we told stories about our parents and toasted them with lots of of champagne..
I’ve been obsessed with your stories about the Swallow since I read your first book! It’s such inspiration for what I hope to open one day, albeit with maybe better service 🙃
I went to school at Berkeley from 1969-73. I don't remember when I discovered the Swallow (it was before you moved to the museum), but I consumed many walnut-and-olive sandwiches and still make them for myself. My culinary eyeballs were opened after years of hamburger casseroles at home -- I loved the Swallow dearly. Thank you!
That review! So perfect, thank you for sharing. Would have loved to have been there. ♥️
I can’t imagine that it would work robotwise. Cooking takes nuance which is lacking in AI right now.