john saturnall's feast by lawrence norfolk

John Saturnall's Feast giveaway!

By foodorleans · October 2, 2012 · 6 Comments ·

FREE BOOKS! Free books free books free books.

Have you heard of the novel John Saturnall's Feast by Lawrence Norfolk?

It's a 17th-century British tale of a young, orphaned boy who has great things in store for him as far as his culinary talents go. I'm about halfway through so I couldn't even give the whole thing away if I tried, but I will say that it has elements of some of my favorite stories: recipes that close each chapter, as in Like Water for Chocolate; an "anyone can cook" attitude, as in Ratatouille; an upstairs/downstairs drama in the large manor that employs the main character in its kitchens, as in Downton Abbey; and an eerie, crazy townspeople element that reminds me of The Crucible. Also, it includes gorgeous illustrations:

This is the kind of book that's perfect for some cozy tea-drinking, biscuit-nibbling, thick-sock-wearing reading time. And I'm giving 3 copies away!

3 copies! But that's not all--the good folks at Grove Atlantic are providing 3 not just regular copies, but SIGNED copies!

Since I have 3 copies to give away, I thought I'd give you 3 ways to enter and win (NOTE: you've gotta comment, not just "like" the post!):

1. Leave a comment here on the blog telling me the best cookbook, food memoir, or food literature you've read lately.

2. And/or send me a Tweet with the best cookbook, food memoir, etc.

3. And/or write on my Facebook wall about the best cookbook, food memoir, etc.

The contest is open through Midnight on Friday, October 5, 2012. There will be 1 winner chosen at random from each of the entry sites: this blog, Twitter, and Facebook (though you can only win once). Enter all three ways for more chances to win--the same answer can be used each time! Signed books will be shipped directly to you from Grove Atlantic Press (and I have to say, this book would make a great gift for the foodie in your life). United States addresses are required for shipment.

So enter to win, and pass the word along to your friends, foodies and non-foodies alike!

Tagged with: Giveaway, book, john saturnall, lawrence norfolk

posted by Jennifer Tillman

10/02/12

I absolutely love me "some cozy tea-drinking, biscuit-nibbling, thick-sock-wearing reading time."

Let's see here ... best food literature I've read in a while ... in Tina Fey's book Bossy Pants she has moments of relationships with food (I believe donuts when she was working at the YMCA right out of college). This might not be what you had in mind, but I actually enjoyed reading Mad Cowboy years ago - and yes, I still eat meat, although I've tried to cut down on it. I suppose I also read Fast Food Nation and that was kind of eye opening as well. Sorry these probably aren't the sort of sweet cookbook style literature you might have had in mind.

posted by Eugenia Zuroski Jenkins

10/02/12

Well, I'm not sure it counts as "food literature," but one of the main characters in Lorrie Moore's A Gate at the Stairs is the chef/owner of a high-end restaurant in a college town, and there's a great passage where the narrator rhapsodizes on the language (particularly the verbs, I think) of the boutique menu.

posted by Teri Dingler

10/02/12

I love "Stop and Smell The Rosemary-Recipes and traditions to remember"- it has recipes I seem to go back to and wonderful helpful hints and is genuinely a beautiful cookbook.

posted by Martha B

10/03/12

Roy Blount Jr.'s humorous defense of okra in the October 2012 issue of Garden & Gun.

posted by Kate Maude

10/04/12

The favorite cookbook at our house is Mark Bittman's _How to Cook Everything_. He offers simple recipes--no fuss--but always tasty. And, I knew I loved him when I was using his brownie recipe that says brownies are better without nuts. So true.