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The Language of Food

"Mouth-watering and sensuous, a real feast for the imagination" BRIDGET COLLINS

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The Language of Food

By: Annabel Abbs
Narrated by: Esther Wane, Heather Long
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About this listen

 'A sensual feast of a novel, written with elegance, beauty, charm and skill in a voice that is both lyrical and unique' Santa Montefiore

Eliza Acton, despite having never before boiled an egg, became one of the world’s most successful cookery writers, revolutionizing cooking and cookbooks around the world. Her story is fascinating, uplifting and truly inspiring.

Told in alternate voices by the award-winning author of The Joyce Girl, and with recipes that leap to life from the page, The Language of Food by Annabel Abbs is the most thought-provoking and page-turning historical novel you’ll read this year, exploring the enduring struggle for female freedom, the power of female friendship, the creativity and quiet joy of cooking and the poetry of food, all while bringing Eliza Action out of the archives and back into the public eye.

‘I love Abbs’s writing and the extraordinary, hidden stories she unearths. Eliza Acton is her best discovery yet’ Clare Pooley
'A literary - and culinary - triumph!' Hazel Gaynor
‘Exhilarating to read - thoughtful, heart-warming and poignant, with a quiet intelligence and elegance that does its heroine proud’ Bridget Collins
'A sumptuous banquet of a book that nourished me and satisfied me just as Eliza Acton’s meals would have... I adored it' Polly Crosby
‘Wonderful... Abbs is such a good story teller. She catches period atmosphere and character so well’ Vanessa Nicolson
'Two of my favourite topics in one elegantly written novel - women’s lives and food history. I absolutely loved it' Polly Russell
'A story of courage, unlikely friendship and an exceptional character, told in vibrant and immersive prose' Caroline Scott
‘Richly imagined and emotionally tender’ Pen Vogler
'Characters that leap off the page, a fascinating story and so much atmosphere, you feel you're in the kitchen with Eliza - I loved it.' Frances Quinn
'Clever, unsentimental, beautifully detailed and quietly riveting' Elizabeth Buchan, author of Two Women in Rome Baking & Desserts Cooking Food & Wine Historical Fiction Women Friendship Fiction Biography Feel-Good

Critic reviews

‘Best Feel Good Books of 2021' Washington Post

‘Best New Historical Novels’ New York Times
All stars
Most relevant
If you're a fan of historical fiction you'll love this. I found it hard to tear myself away from the chapters & couldn't wait for my next dose. Totally absorbing, excellent & fitting narration. You won't be disappointed.

Absolutely Delicious!

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I have read a factual book about Eliza Acton and have one of her receipt books. This account; story; history - takes some known truths and wordsmiths them, embellishing them, no doubt, but very skilfully weaves a story through the silent gaps that cover Eliza’s life.
This will be a novel I return to again and again. The actresses performed it brilliantly.
Thank you!!

Superb story telling

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Very enjoyable - very interesting story and beautifully narrated. Subtext on Ann’s story was thought provoking.

Excellent

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Really enjoyed the portrait of Victorian life and the contrast between rich and poor with all its hypocrisy.

Wonderful weaving of food and relationships

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We had to read it for book club, and this is probably one of my favourite books we have read so far!

Loved listening to this!

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