A Literary Feast: An Anthology - Hardcover

As is often the case with theme anthologies, the common factor that binds these 27 stories, essays, and excerpts together is rather loose and artificial: a focus on, or perhaps merely inclusion of, "characters (both real and imagined) ordering meals, conversing over well-laden tables, and even in a few cases preparing food--but mostly simply eating it," editor Golden explains. The collection also purports to illustrate "the more profound exploration of our relationship with our repasts." Whether or not these pieces achieve or attempt the latter, there are some choice bits here: Joyce's The Dead (does it really fit?), M.F.K. Fisher's "Define This Word," the inevitable selection from Peter Mayle, and morsels of Bemelmans, Liebling, Pynchon, Hersey, and Durrell. It's a mixed menu, but amusing enough.
- Richard Kuczkowski, Dominican Coll., Blauvelt, N.Y.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.