Helpful Score: 4
A New York Times Notable Book - life of Vietnamese cook working for Gertrude Stein and Alice B Toklas in Paris. Very sad that this gay young man's' life was so undermined by circumstances and the people around him. Lyrical writing. Look for all mentions of the sources of salt.
Helpful Score: 3
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is well-written and imaginative. I love a book that makes me think and inspires me to learn more. The Book of Salt sparked me to research how Stein and Toklas, two Jewish lesbians, managed to live in occupied France during the Nazi reign. Google is your friend
Helpful Score: 2
Unusual and imaginative.
Helpful Score: 2
Very introspective book. Little action, not plot-driven. Narrator is the main character.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a very well written book. I'm looking forward to reading Monique Truong's next novel. 'Salt' is primarily the story of the Vietnamese, homosexual, chef, Binh. He is employed by Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas who are lovers and bisexual. The images of the social scene in France during the 1930's are vivid and the regressive scenes of his childhood are poignant. The sexual images are not graphic and are not the main point of the book.
Donna V.
Donna V.
