The Lost Art of Mixing
by Erica Bauermeister
Since I loved The School of Essential Ingredients so much, I bought a copy of The Lost Art of Mixing as soon as it hit the shelves. A sequel with the same semi-psychic culinary teacher and a new crop of students sounded so appealing – except that’s not what the book was. The students from the last book reappeared, showing a continuation of their lives after the first cooking class. But who wants to read about a woman with Alzheimer’s sinking further and further into her memories? Who actually cares about the young directionless prep-cook finding a new boyfriend? And a new character, an accountant with a bad marriage, brings even less interest.
But the worst plot point involves the leading lady. In the first book, she had a definite character but mostly served to help others. She was almost magical, and magical people don’t have real problems, lest they lose their sparkle. In this book, she finds herself pregnant and afraid to tell the father – and for very good reason. Remember the widower who could barely function, and who was despondent that he didn’t have children with his wife before she died? I couldn’t stand this element of the story, because to me they were badly matched and he wasn’t ready for such a life change. The magical, mature teacher transformed into a stupid young lady who didn’t think about others or the future.
I still love Erica Bauermeister’s writing style, but I won’t read this book again. I was really hoping for a sequel with a similar format, but these chapters didn’t include poignant recipes or weekly updates.
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of Erica Bauermeister's The School of Essential Ingredients here!
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of Erica Bauermeister's Joy for Begginers here!
But the worst plot point involves the leading lady. In the first book, she had a definite character but mostly served to help others. She was almost magical, and magical people don’t have real problems, lest they lose their sparkle. In this book, she finds herself pregnant and afraid to tell the father – and for very good reason. Remember the widower who could barely function, and who was despondent that he didn’t have children with his wife before she died? I couldn’t stand this element of the story, because to me they were badly matched and he wasn’t ready for such a life change. The magical, mature teacher transformed into a stupid young lady who didn’t think about others or the future.
I still love Erica Bauermeister’s writing style, but I won’t read this book again. I was really hoping for a sequel with a similar format, but these chapters didn’t include poignant recipes or weekly updates.
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of Erica Bauermeister's The School of Essential Ingredients here!
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of Erica Bauermeister's Joy for Begginers here!