OP: The Literary Gourmet

Kitchen Arts & Letters will donate all proceeds from the sale of this book from the personal collection of Gladys Bourdain to the Food Chain Workers Alliance in the memories of Anthony and Gladys Bourdain.  The price reflects our intention to raise money for this cause.

The value of a homey meal, a delectable treat, or a debauched feast to literary plot devices is not lost on us, both book and food people. Something about the concentration of sensory activity and a whole cast of characters gathered ‘round lends itself to pivotal, poignant moments that move a story forward better than any other occurrence. 

Linda Wolfe (1932–2020), a journalist with a masters in American literature, respected the connection between food and literature so much so that she made it the subject of her first book, The Literary Gourmet (1962). Drawing recipes from historical records and cookbooks contemporaneous with the body of work, Wolfe juxtaposes literary excerpts with the dishes described within. We see some of the expected here—Proust’s madeleine and a musketeer feast from Alexandre Dumas—and some delightfully unexpected—the stew that cost the biblical Esau his birthright. 

We are very pleased to be able to offer this near fine first printing. The book block and case are as new, handsomely printed on sturdy paper stock with duotone plates and illustrations in multiple colors. The dust jacket shows some shelfwear and has a few small closed tears, one of which was previously repaired with Scotch tape. We have put the jacket in a mylar sleeve to protect from further damage. An engaging and thoughtful work.