Title: The Hundred-Foot Journey
Author: Richard C. Morais
First published January 1, 2008
256 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781439165645 (ISBN10: 1439165645)
Rating: 3.57
Overview
The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais is a heartwarming tale of Hassan Haji, a young Indian chef with a rare talent for cooking.
Born in Mumbai, Hassan’s passion for food was ignited by the mouth-watering aromas of his grandfather’s restaurant. When tragedy strikes, the Haji family embarks on a journey around the world, eventually settling in a small village in the French Alps.
The arrival of the boisterous Indian family in Lumière brings a burst of flavor to the town, as they open a restaurant opposite the esteemed French restaurant of Madame Mallory. What follows is a culinary war between the two establishments, until Madame Mallory agrees to mentor Hassan, leading him to Paris and the launch of his own restaurant.
The Hundred-Foot Journey is a charming and delightful tale of family, culture, and the power of good taste.
Editoral Review
The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais is a delightful and heartwarming novel that will make your taste buds tingle and your heart swell.
First published in 2008, the book examines the themes of family, culture clash, ambition, love and loss, and the pursuit of the American Dream. The novel follows the journey of Hassan Haji, a young boy from Mumbai, India, whose family moves to a small village in the French Alps to open a restaurant.
The Haji family sets up their business just across the street from a Michelin-starred French restaurant owned by the snooty Madame Mallory. What ensues is a culinary war between the two restaurants that eventually leads to an unexpected alliance and a lifelong friendship.
Morais is a skilled storyteller who creates vivid and memorable characters that you cannot help but fall in love with. Hassan is a charming protagonist whose passion for cooking and determination to succeed will inspire readers to follow their dreams.
Madame Mallory, on the other hand, is a complex character who grows and evolves throughout the novel as she learns to appreciate the beauty of Indian cuisine and the values of the Haji family. The depiction of food in the novel is both mouthwatering and poetic, evoking the sensory experience of eating and cooking.
Morais transports readers to a world of vibrant colors, exotic spices, and tantalizing flavors that will make them want to run out and try new recipes. The cultural clash between the Haji family and the French villagers is a central theme of the novel, highlighting the difficulties that migrants and their families face when adapting to a new country and culture.
Morais explores the tension and prejudice that can exist between different communities while also celebrating the diversity and richness of human experience. The Hundred-Foot Journey is not without its flaws, however.
The novel occasionally falls back on cliches and stereotypes, particularly in its portrayal of the French as arrogant and unappreciative of foreign cuisine. Additionally, the pacing of the novel can be slow at times, with some scenes feeling repetitive or unnecessary.
Despite its shortcomings, The Hundred-Foot Journey is a delightful and moving novel that will leave readers feeling satisfied and uplifted. It is a perfect book for foodies, travelers, and anyone who enjoys a good story about the importance of family, perseverance, and following your dreams.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
