The Little French Recipe Book

the heartwarming and emotional story of a son's quest to discover his father's final secrets

Jacky Durand author Sarah Robertson translator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Hodder & Stoughton

Published:26th Nov '20

Should be back in stock very soon

The Little French Recipe Book cover

This touching narrative explores a father-son relationship through shared memories and recipes, as Julien seeks to uncover family secrets in The Little French Recipe Book.

In The Little French Recipe Book, readers are taken on an emotional journey that intertwines love, food, and family secrets. The story centers around Julien, who has spent thirty years grappling with the unresolved questions surrounding his mother, Helene, and her abrupt departure from their lives. His father, Henri, has remained tight-lipped about the past, leaving Julien with a sense of longing and a desire for closure. As he sits by his father's bedside, preparing to say goodbye, he reflects on the cherished memories they shared, particularly through their mutual love for cooking.

Julien's quest to understand his father's enigmatic past leads him to a long-lost notebook filled with treasured recipes, a gift from Helene to Henri. This notebook symbolizes not just culinary heritage but also the emotional ties that bind them. As Julien delves into the recipes, he hopes to uncover the secrets that have shaped their lives, and perhaps, find a way to connect with both his father and the mother he has never truly known.

The Little French Recipe Book is more than just a tale of food; it is a poignant exploration of relationships, nostalgia, and the healing power of cooking. With each recipe, Julien discovers more about his father’s heart and the love that has been simmering beneath the surface all these years. This heartwarming narrative invites readers to savor every moment and every dish, reminding us that food can bridge the gaps between generations and heal old wounds.

Like a French meal - elegant, perfectly-paced and satisfying -- Anne Youngson
Jacky Durand's debut novel is a love letter to family, memory and the art of French cooking, as authentic and satisfying as the recipes it describes. I devoured this poignant and evocative feast of a book, which explores the complex, bittersweet ingredients of the relationship between a father and son. -- Fiona Valpy
I devoured this bittersweet debut novel set in a small town near Dijon ... an affecting tale with terroir recipes thrown in * Saga *
A lovely emotional story. * My Weekly Special *
A bittersweet book * Woman *

ISBN: 9781529382396

Dimensions: 196mm x 128mm x 14mm

Weight: 140g

176 pages