Today I am reviewing Maman’s Homesick Pie by Donia Bijan for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Maman’s Homesick Pie is a memoir written by the well known chef, Donia Bijan. Beautifully written, it tells the story of Bijan’s Iranian family, who had to flee Iran during the revolution of 1978 and eventually settled in California. Both of Bijan’s parents were in medicine. Her father was a well respected doctor who founded a hospital and her mother was a nurse who worked at his side. They were sophisticated, well-educated and loved food. Her father would immediately search for new markets when they traveled, declining restaurant food and filling their hotel rooms with fresh fruit and cheeses. Her mother loved cooking and creating meals for her family and friends as well as the hospital patients. Food is the running theme throughout this memoir. It is while on vacation in Majorca that the Bijans hear about the revolution and realize they can no longer return to their beloved country.
Bijan writes movingly about this drastic change in their lives and how each of her parents cope with this wrenching loss in very different ways. Her mother enthusiastically embraces the American culture, yet her father cannot. And Donia finds herself coping with being a girl from Iran when anti-Iranian sentiment in this country is very high. Through it all, Donia gains inspiration and support from her beloved mother, eventually making the decision to enroll in Le Cordon Bleu to study to be a chef. The cooking lessons given to her so many years before by her mother, the reverence for food instilled in her by her parents, the scents and flavors of Persian and French cuisine – all of it contributes to a singular focus on learning from and apprenticing under as many chefs as possible so that she can master her craft.
There’s so much more to this memoir: love of family, eventual understanding of and compassion for a father’s fears, finding one’s way in a new country, loss of a homeland and detailed descriptions of life in Iran before the revolution. Bijan is a wonderful writer. She lovingly writes about food – the textures, the smells, the creation of a meal – with beautifully chosen words.
I really loved this book. It’s a wonderful read.
I am giving away 2 copies of Maman’s Homesick Pie. Just leave a comment and I will pick two names on Saturday evening.
About the author:
Donia Bijan graduated from UC Berkeley and Le Cordon Bleu. After presiding over many of San Francisco’s acclaimed restaurants and earning awards for her French-inspired cuisine, in 1994 she opened her own restaurant, L’amie Donia, in Palo Alto. She now divides her days between raising her son, teaching and writing.
That sounds like a WONDERFUL book! Please put me in the drawing. It is so cool that you get to read and critque (sp?) these books! Too Cool!
I cannot begin to imagine what it would be like to lose one’s country of origin by force. It is an integral part of our identities – and food …always a bonus to have food as part of a good read.
xx
z
Sounds like a very inspiring book.
A beautifully written review Claudia. It makes want to read the book too. I’ll keep my fingers crossed (:
Oooooo, this books sounds like my cup of tea! Would love to check it out!
Sue
xo
I enjoy reading about food and this is about so much more. Thanks for the review.
Sounds like a really good read! Thank you for your lovely review and for the giveaway. Please count me in! :-)
I always love reading your reviews. I’m still entrenched in the Outlanders and loving it. Book 5
I have Iranian friends, so I would love to read this book.
Hi Claudia,
This sounds like a wonderful book. I would also enjoy reading it.
Mer
Hello Claudia
It’s a real pleasure to read your review.
My students had to write review, but honestly I wouldn’t want to read one of the books due to the fact that the reviews are …. :-(
The weekend has begun and I am sewing in my kitchen happily not thinking about work.
Wish you a wonderful weeken and lots of moments to take photos of your doll house. It is lovely.
Hello Claudia,
I am very fortunate to live here in such a multicultural place…where I get to meet and work with people from all over the world.
Persian people are among them.
We all share this land together…This book seems like a great story!
Gabriela
I’m not happy right now. I just lost my comment with Blogger asking me to start a blog. You have sold me on this book, Claudia. It was made to order for me. I love memoires and I love books and movies about food. I love watching cooking shows on tv. Babette’s Feast is one of my favourite movies. If I do not win this draw, I am definitely trying the library or buying it.
What a marvelous book, Claudia! I would love to read it. From your review, it sounds like it hits all the right notes to make it an excellent read.
My sister had a wonderful friend named Amir who was Persian and who, when our father died, sent her a dozen yellow roses weekly for several months. He was such a good friend to her. I will never forget his kindness.
I have numerous friends here in Florida who escaped with their families during Castro’s overthrow of Cuba. I have heard heart-wrenching tales of loss and inspiring tales of courage in the face of moving to a new country and learning its language and customs. My goddaughter’s grandfather came over due to the Revolution. So it strikes particularly close to home.
Love to you…
XO,
Sheila
I’m so glad you enjoyed this wonderful book! Thanks so much for being a part of the tour. I’m featuring your review on TLC’s Facebook page today.
I love reading and this book sounds like a terrific read! Thanks for sharing with us Claudia.
I so want to read this! Thanks for the chance to win!!
I seem to have missed this post from last nov. The book looks really good. I’ll have to locate a copy. I recently read “Reading Lolita In Tehran”, which also deals with the changes in political climate which eventually cause the author and her family to leave their homeland.