What a wonderfully honest and surprisingly twisty story! I had some
skepticism due to the cover and the title, not being too interested in a
tabloid-esque narrative. It was clear in the first few pages the Devil
Wears Prada vibes are strong (always a good sign that any glossiness
will be balanced with some heartfelt moments). And though the narrator's
life sometimes feels like it's in the way of learning more about Evelyn,
the truly captivating character, it inevitably becomes clear how these
two vibrant women come to understand one another's story.
This one took me a couple tries to get into, and I'd heard it was a bit
like Marmite - you'll love it or hate it. Well, as a firm lover of
Marmite I knew I needed to persevere, and I'm so glad I did. I came to
really appreciate Honeyman's strong tone of voice and the uniqueness of
Eleanor. I finished it in one day, wanting to stay in the world she
created and understand more and more of Eleanor's journey. This book
provides an opportunity for some introspection of oneself, along with
darkly humourous moments through the characters' journey to know
themselves.
I've followed Caitlyn on YouTube for years and when she brought out her
first cookbook in December of 2020, it was top of my wish list! Her goal
has always been to make vegan food approachable and based on simple
whole-food ingredients. I've been slowly working my way through her
recipes over the last year and half, much to the delight of my family
and friends. From one-pot pastas, innovative sauces, and health
conscious desserts, to fresh ways to interpret traditionally
meat-centered dishes into new favourites, there's something for every
tastebud in this book!
