Customer Reviews

Swallowing Clouds

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A. Zee has written a very intelligent book on the finer aspects of Chinese cuisine explained with easy to understand Chinese names, their gastronomic connections and the cultural implications. Zee beautifully intertwined food with history, poetry and language. He has spiced his topics with true life stories like a famous Chinese poet eating the poisonous Fugu (puffer fish) and proclaiming it was worthwhile dying for. Truly an inspirational and accomplished work, cerebral and delightful. A must for all who love Chinese food.

before picking up Swallowing Clouds the Chinese language seemed to me to be completely impenetrable. now, thanks to Swallowing Clouds and the insights it provides, i am frequently able to recognize characters wherever i go, but most notably on the menus in Chinese restaurants. needless to say, my dining companions are always interested in the little insights i can tell them about their meals that i learned from Swallowing Clouds. This book is utterly delightful, engaging and fun--it's one of my favourites, and it's near impossible to put down. it's perfect for anyone who's ever picked up a Chinese menu and scratched their head at what intially appears to be a complex and intimidating language.

I first read Swallowing Clouds 12 years ago and it started me on the endlessly fascinating hobby of learning to read Chinese characters. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in Chinese culture, cuisine, and history. Dr. Zee's effortlessly entertaining, yet thoroughly knowledgeable, style will entrance the neophyte as well as the seasoned scholar.

Like to be able to speak Chinese but even the thought of studying it intimidates the pants off you? You might be pleasantly surprised once you read ten pages into Swallowing Clouds. A. Zee is a wonderfully patient, fun teacher. You won't learn Chinese simply be reading this book but you might just get hooked enough to want to learn more. So this book is a great starting point. You will learn some very interesting stuff about Chinese food and culture.

I recommend Swallowing Clouds to anyone curious about Chinese food and culture. It will have particular appeal to those learning Chinese, or curious about Chinese characters, but it is presented in such a way that those without an involvement in the language can easily follow it. Zee's approach is informative but above all fun.

When I read so many five stars reviews plain of fantastic and enthusiastic words about Zee's book I have to confess I believed just a little. But I was wrong: it is a great writer!
With humour sense, with culture and incredible style. When I read people were reading it for the second time - an almost four hundred pages book!... But that is a book I know I will read again and again!
Thanks to all of you.

Ater buying this book, I knew how to write Chinese. This book is so easy to read and it teaches you the basic techniques of how to write Chinese. Excellent for beginners...like I was.

Some time ago, a scholar entered a his favorite bookstore. The owner asked if he could help find what the scholar was looking for. "I want your best book on Chinese cuisine. I also need a Chinese cookbook, and readable books about both ancient and modern Chinese culture. I need a Chinese language book, a book of Chinese folk tales, and one on the history of China. Oh, and throw in a novel so engaging that I won't be able to put it down. And finally I would like to learn a little Chinese, at least so I can read menus, without doing any work!" The bookstore owner placed an unassuming volume in the scholar's hand, saying "Here it is. Swallowing Clouds."

Amazingly all of these things are to be found in this book. Well, it is not a real cookbook, but its "few recipes" are augmented by descriptions of ingredients and cooking methods for specific dishes, entrancingly woven throughout the narrative. You will not look at Chinese characters on a menu, or Chinese restaurants and food, in the same way after being enlightened by this wonderful book.

Very well researched,a little too sweet,not very hot. A pleasant little book that reflects the title, will be an asset to planning travel and entertaining. Wonderful recipes, an insight into the humor and creativity of the Chinese.Money well spent as a gift book.