Customer Reviews

The Language of Baklava

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Reading The Language of Baklava, I felt like I'd stepped into a 'lost world'-- the rich memories and sensations and stories were outstanding. This is my favorite kind of book, the kind that I have trouble finding any more, where I feel like you enter the heart and mind of a life and a place. I will never forget this book.

A lovely book, reminding me somewhat of my own childhood and my over-the-top overprotective father. The descriptions of her family's meals are incredible. I found myself rushing to make the recipes, looking forward to enjoying devouring them as I read, like I was sitting at the table with the author.

One of those books that you think, "Ok, it's late... I'll just read until the end of this chapter," then you don't put it down.

Well, if you're a foodie daughter of an immigrant like me, anyway.

This is a great story - Abu-Jaber shares beautiful stories of growing up with a Jordanian father and an American mother. As someone close to Middle-Eastern expats, I recognised a lot of the feelings, emotions and social situations she describes: the longing for a long lost country that is one embellished from childhood memories, the importance of food as a source of comfort and a way to bring continuation to a new lifestyle in a foreign country, the importance of family, the unity between a family that is scattered around the world but whose heritage keeps them together. I thought it was very enjoyable and entertaining. It should be especially interesting to people interested in Middle-Eastern culture and those who are or know any expats/immigrants like Abu-Jaber's father. For a deeper and less light-toned stories, I also recommend Crescent, or West of the Jordan.

Terrific memoir, funny and moving. Pretty good recipes too! Highly recommend.

In the book's foreword, Abu-Jaber states that the facts should never get in the way of a story, that the essence of experience is in the heart. She then tells her life story, each chapter an independent vignette, strung together by her father's love of family and food. I have little in common with Abu-Jaber, the oldest daughter of a protective, over-the-top father, who never truly left his native Jordan; and a US mother, obscure in the background, a stoical cypher. But Abu-Jaber is right, the essence of a story is in the heart, and her book connects.

A friend of mine raved about this book so much that I immediately down-loaded it to my Kindle. It didn't take long for me to understantd why she loved it. Abu-Jaber has written a memoir that is as rich as baklava itself! Her experiences of living in two completely different worlds and cultures should be read by everyone. The things that separate cultures are not so great as those that unite us...Family & food are universal.

I have given about 10 copies of this book this year, and I eagerly await Ms. Abu-Jaber's next memoir. She deftly weaves the narrative of her life among a "greatest hits" of recipes. Ms. Abu-Jaber has created that rare book that actually leaves you a little sad for having reached the end, as if you've parted with a dear friend.

I have recommended this book to countless people including two bookclubs. The life of an Arab-American girl is so timely and the recipes are fabulous. So if you like food, like a good story that is well-written and enjoy learning of other cultures then you will love The Language of Baklava as much I did.Million Dollar Cup of Tea: What You Can Learn from a Mother-daughter Team Who Turned a Simple Idea into Oregon Chai: a $75 Million Business