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A. Zee

Swallowing Clouds Hardcover – September 1, 1990

by A. Zee (Author)

15 ratings

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Print length

378 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Simon & Schuster
Publication date

September 1, 1990
ISBN-10

0671646656
ISBN-13

978-0671646653
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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Wonton, which transliterates in Chinese as "swallowing clouds," gives title to this delightful mix of Chinese etymology, cooking, and culture. Zee, also author of An Old Man's Toy: Gravity at Work and Play ( LJ 3/1/89), invites the reader to learn written Chinese through food characters. He explains the pictorial origin of characters for fire, water, and others as they reappear in dozens of dishes. Playfully retold folk stories, such as the ten sayings of the fist drinking game, add verbal spice. Compared with James McCawley's The Eater's Guide to Chinese Characters (Univ. of Chicago Pr. 1984), with its list of word equivalents, Zee's book coaxes with the lively example, humor, and repetition of a good teacher. Recommended for people who enjoy Chinese food, as well as those who want a taste of the Chinese language.
-Elizabeth A. Teo, Moraine Valley Community Coll. Lib., Palos Hills, Ill.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster; 1st edition (September 1, 1990)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 378 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0671646656
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0671646653
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.56 pounds

Best Sellers Rank: #3,071,022 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #6,693 in Chinese History (Books)
- #16,398 in Cooking Education & Reference
- #108,217 in World History (Books)

Customer Reviews:
15 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		64%
4 star		20%
3 star		16%
2 star 0% (0%)		0%
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Top reviews from the United States

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Jeffrey D. Scargle

... there is a folktale.

Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2009

Verified Purchase

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.

5 people found this helpful

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Eegulleye

Great read for anyone interested in Chinese language, food or culture

Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2013

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Firstly I should say I'm a native English speaker proficient in Chinese language and a good knowledge of food. I re-read this book every few years and always learn something new. Those who don't read Chinese characters sadly can't appreciate the pictographic explanations the author weaves throughout, but his anecdotes about family, food, and Chinese culture will be appreciated by anyone with more than a passing interest in Chinese culture or food. I've bought multiple used copies of this book (which is sadly out of print) to give to my friends and highly recommend the book.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Laerte Agnelli

Every review is true!!!

Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2006

Verified Purchase

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.

3 people found this helpful

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Stephen Jack

Unique Book, Lovely Stories

Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2004

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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.

9 people found this helpful

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Matti Kniva Spencer

Wow...what a book!

Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2010

Verified Purchase

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.

One person found this helpful

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mpez0

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2015

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Clever, light, and enjoyable.

Helpful

t. goh

The Intelligent Guide to Chinese Cuisine and Culture

Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2000

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.

15 people found this helpful

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Daniel Yee

informative and fun

Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2006

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.

3 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer

What does it feel like to eat Won-Ton Soup?

Reviewed in Canada on August 17, 2017

Verified Purchase

If you make it to the end, you'll possibly convince yourself that your can decipher to complex characters that combine to create a garden variety Chinese menu! Enjoyable and Educational!

ichrezensiereungerne

Appreciate food and chinese - all in one book

Reviewed in Germany on November 12, 2011

Verified Purchase

The title made me buy the book at first - took a while to start reading it but a vacation was all it needed. Fun book, each chapter looking at a different aspect of chinese food, culture and language. Very nice introduction to these topics from a different angle - after this book you will certainly enjoy eating out at you favorite Chinese place or cooking Chinese yourself a lot more.
You should read this book within a couple of days to enjoy the play on chinese characters, as the authors builds each chapter on the previous one.

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