Mix together family history and culture with a dash of magical realism, and you'll serve up Roselle Lim's debut novel Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune. This story about a young Chinese-American woman who returns to her family home in San Francisco's Chinatown after the death of her agoraphobic mother is a delicious journey into food, family, and heritage.
When Natalie Tan, an aspiring chef, receives a prophecy that she must cook a recipe for three of her Chinatown neighbors in order to revive her grandmother's restaurant which she has inherited, and restore their crumbling neighborhood to its former glory, she feels daunted. How can she possibly know what to cook and for whom? However, she soon learns that her grandmother's recipe book, which has been passed down to her, contains all of her wonderful dishes, along with some words of advice, such as which recipe to cook for someone who needs courage, or which dish to make to bring forth harmony. Armed with her grandmother's sage advice and delectable dishes, Natalie feels inspired to begin cooking for her neighbors and saving their fading neighborhood, but she soon learns that evoking the intended outcome of the prophecy is not as easy as just following a recipe.
Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune is a heartwarming story about returning to your roots, preserving your cultural heritage, and helping your neighbors. Any reader who wants to learn more about the Chinese culture will delight in Lim's novel, as references to the Chinese way of life are sprinkled with great effect throughout the story. Lim has written an "own voices" novel, meaning that she herself is Chinese, and she uses her knowledge of the culture to create both an entertaining and educational read. I often found myself Googling Lim's references, such as the erhu, a Chinese instrument, or youtiao, Chinese donuts, to get a visual representation of what was being described in the story. This book really felt authentic to Chinese culture and customs, which I appreciated, and I feel like I have learned a lot about the Chinese way of life from reading it.
It should be noted with great delight that the food is really the shining star of Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune. Lim describes food so well, you will want to eat it right off the page. Her novel is filled with delectable tasting combinations and aromas, and she even provides pared down versions of the recipes cooked within the story. This is a book you will want to taste as much as read - the food is just that good.
Readers should also take note that there is a good amount of magical realism - when a realistic story incorporates elements of fantasy or surrealism - worked into this story that is not entirely explained. It took a couple instances of "magic" for me to become aware that something "funny" was going on. Because no explanation is given for these instances, I felt confused at first before accepting that in this world strange things do happen. I personally thought that the mystical elements were likely meant to tie into Chinese culture, and accepted them as such without much questioning.
Admittedly, I would not have read this novel if I had a better grasp of its tone and style before picking it up. Its vibrant cover and intriguing synopsis led me to believe I was jumping into a lighthearted, witty and funny summer read, but in fact, this story is the exact opposite. The topics this book deals with are serious, and the characters struggle with personal and professional issues throughout much of the story. Therefore, while I appreciate Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune for what it is and the story it tells, I do not feel I am the right reader for the book. However, I think that many will fall in love with and be charmed by this atmospheric story of food and family, especially readers who enjoy books that are filled with mouth-watering dishes or quaint stories that focus on small business.
Rating: *** Stars (I liked it)
- Brooke, Public Relations Librarian
ARE YOU AND THIS BOOK A GOOD MATCH? DISCOVER MORE WITH NOVELIST APPEALS! Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune
GENRE: Mainstream Fiction; Women's Lives & Relationships
THEME: Eat, Drink, & Be Merry (You can almost smell the aromas and taste the output of the kitchens described in these books, which are immersed in culinary culture.)
WRITING STYLE: Engaging; Lush
TONE: Atmospheric
LOCATION: Chinatown; San Francisco, California
SUBJECT: Chinese Americans; Chinese Cooking; Families; Homecomings; Women; Women Cooks
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