Love & Saffron is a heartwarming epistolary novel by Kim Fay that connects two women, Joan and Imogen, through their shared passion for food and cooking. Set in the 1960s, their friendship begins when the younger Joan writes to the older Imogen, gifting her saffron and praising her writing. Through their letters, they share recipes, personal struggles, and heartfelt support for each other, despite the miles that separate them. Their relationship blossoms into a sweet bond, highlighting the importance of female friendship against a backdrop of historical moments.
Fay's writing style is smooth and authentic, making this quick read a joy to immerse oneself in. The characters are relatable and their letters bring warmth and depth to the narrative. While the book touches on deeper themes such as biracial relationships and societal issues of the times, it remains an easy and delightful read about love, friendship, and the comfort of food. Readers looking for a charming story with rich, layered nuances will find themselves enchanted by the lives and culinary adventures of Joan and Imogen.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Has Romance?
There is a medium level of romance present in the book, as it features loving relationships alongside the main theme of friendship.
From The Publisher:
The Instant National Bestseller and #1 Indie Next Pick
In the vein of the classic 84, Charing Cross Road , this witty and tender novel follows two women in 1960s America as they discover that food really does connect us all, and that friendship and laughter are the best medicine.
When twenty-seven-year-old Joan Bergstrom sends a fan letter-as well as a gift of saffron-to fifty-nine-year-old Imogen Fortier, a life-changing friendship begins. Joan lives in Los Angeles and is just starting out as a writer for the newspaper food pages. Imogen lives on Camano Island outside Seattle, writing a monthly column for a Pacific Northwest magazine, and while she can hunt elk and dig for clams, she's never tasted fresh garlic-exotic fare in the Northwest of the sixties. As the two women commune through their letters, they build a closeness that sustains them through the Cuban Missile Crisis, the assassination of President Kennedy, and the unexpected in their own lives.
Food and a good life-they can't be separated. It is a discovery the women share, not only with each other, but with the men in their lives. Because of her correspondence with Joan, Imogen's decades-long marriage blossoms into something new and exciting, and in turn, Joan learns that true love does not always come in the form we expect it to. Into this beautiful, intimate world comes the ultimate test of Joan and Imogen's friendship-a test that summons their unconditional trust in each other.
A brief respite from our chaotic world, Love & Saffron is a gem of a novel, a reminder that food and friendship are the antidote to most any heartache, and that human connection will always be worth creating.
Ratings (2)
Loved It (1) | |
It Was OK (1) |
Reader Stats (7):
Read It (2) | |
Want To Read (3) | |
Not Interested (2) |
What can you read after
Love & Saffron?
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
