Wednesday, August 03, 2016

Monique Truong's 'The Book of Salt:' Take Two

Monique Truong's The Book of Salt (2003, 2004): a few pinches more.

“’I left Vietnam when I was twenty-two,’” said the man whose eyes were again back on the Seine. ‘I haven’t been back since.’ His voice trailed off, his words taking a quiet leap into the water below" (pages 91-92).  

Exile. Hasn't been back since. Because he can't, because of the danger or expense, or because he chooses not to? Questions for all exiles, expatriates, refugees and immigrants. In this case, the scene is from a bridge over the River Seine in Paris. 
“'He will always cook from all the places where he has been. It is his way of remembering the world'” (page 99). Sounds like a good idea to me.

“Men, believe me, are fragile in unexpected ways. Weak is another way of putting it” (page 125). 

“She is French, after all. Madame is a snob but not a prude” (page 132). 

“They promised her the words to an opera and the history of everyone who has ever lived” (page 181). 
“. . . the first thing Miss Toklas asked me was whether I had a recipe for gazpacho.
‘Yes.’
‘Did you learn it in Spain?’
‘No.’
‘Then it is best to forget it.’
‘Oh'" (page 211). 

Today's Rune: Signals.

4 comments:

Charles Gramlich said...

Various covers, I take it?

the walking man said...

The commentary is, in its own way, fascinating in snippets.

Anonymous said...

Erik- but she is French, non?

Barbara Bruederlin said...

I can only assume Miss Toklas is not a fan of fusion cooking.