The Chamberlain family spent many years living in France and returns to America around the start of World War II.  The book accounts the family’s transition from France to America as the French-born and trained Clementine accompanies them.

From some perspectives the book is amusing and enlightening as it allows the reader to compare and contrast many points: France and America today, France and America during World War II, America during World War II and today, food trends then and now, and American lifestyle then and now.  Clementine arrived in America speaking only French, and knowing only French culture, so her naivetes to American culture are amusing.  However, at points, the Chamberlains nearly refer to her as property, which is not amusing.

At many points, the book is a dry account of high society life in Marblehead in the 1940s and nearly half of the book is actually a list of arcane French recipes.  They’re worth a scan, but there was little there that I could envision making today.  In addition, much of the terminology in the recipes is out of date.

Clementine is a likeable figure in the story, and the book would be interesting to a food historian, but is probably a bit dry for the average reader.  Reichl’s introduction is as entertaining as her writing always is, though.  Not a read for everyone, but good for some!

My husband and I ended up settling on two cheeses, a soft Spanish cheese which wasn’t very memorable, and some lovely halloumi.  I’d come across a few articles and recipes lately mentioning this somewhat hard to find cheese, and I was eager to try it.  It’s a Greek cheese, and we purchased a variety that was made from sheep’s and goat’s milks and sprinkled with fresh mint.  What is unusual about halloumi cheese  is that it is meant to be grilled or sauteed before eating.  Rather than melting, the cheese becomes firmer upon cooking.  We sauteed ours in a little olive oil and the cheese was firm with a nice salty bite, similar to buffalo mozzarella in texture.  It’s a little on the pricey side, but a good treat for once in awhile.  It would be great served up with a Mediterranean spread as an appetizer or side.  The brand we bought is also available at Amazon if you need a unique cheese fix!