The Secrets of Pistoulet, 15th Anniversary Edition
by Jana Kolpen
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Book Reviews of The Secrets of Pistoulet, 15th Anniversary Edition
Book Review: For the wondering, wandering many...
Summary: 5 Stars
Enchantment, beautiful artwork, and empathic cooking mark the success of this book that touches readers' hearts in places often forgotten.At first, because of a marketing display at a local department store, I thought The Secrets of Pistoulet was not for individual sale, but could only be obtained by purchasing Pistoulet dinnerware. The book so touched me, I briefly considered buying the darn dishes! Luckily, I found the book right here, standing on its own. It hardly needs its own china to promote sales; in fact, the opposite may just be true. This little book is a great marketing ploy to sell the whimsical, pastel dishes that are said to be the very plates used to serve the magical Potages created at Pistoulet. A marketing genius, I tell you, but that is beside the point.
The book is lovely, simple and true-to-heart. Tucked with mouth-watering recipes, paintings, photographs and excellent folklore, this book reminds us that food does not just feed the stomach - it feeds the soul. I plan to keep it displayed in my kitchen with a simple spray of herbs and oils, to be read by any lost soul who happens to pass by...
Book Review: Charming but lacking depth
Summary: 3 Stars
As a fan of Nick Bantock and Barbara Hodgson, I had always hoped to stumble across The Secrets of Pistoulet. It was not quite what I expected. It is less of an illustrated novel and more of a gift book. I should have picked up on its billing as "an enchanted fable." The illustrations are cute watercolor sketches in a quasi-Provencal style mixed up with photos, translucent vellum overlays and pressed flowers. The bare-boned story tells of a magical inn in the south of France where guests are refreshed by cooking that cures their ills. The book includes a series of recipes to help a quiet man speak more freely, a weary mother of twins regain her energy and so forth. Although the recipes include detailed instructions for purchasing beets from the farmer with the ruddiest complexion and tuning into a lively radio show while making the potage of babble, shopping for ingredients and actually cooking the magical soups are not really described in the story. An enjoyable hour but Pistoulet is probably not a place I will return to again.
Book Review: Potage of the Sud-Ouest
Summary: 4 Stars
The Secrets of Pistoulet surpised me; it was as if I had suddenly found a children's book written purely for adults. It comes with activity recipe cards, beautiful and varied illustrations, and a relaxed, playful intelligence. The imagery is direct, primal, and the book feels as if you are engaging in a multi-media adventure, yet within the familiar confines of a book. It is fascinating direction in printed fiction. Perhaps, Madame Babette had visited the secret maison called Pistoulet; judging from the sucess of her feast it would appear so. My one complaint was the lack of a recipe for confit of duck or goose. If Pistoulet existed in the South West of France, they would have to have a recipe for preserved duck or goose. Thiink of their Cassoulet?Book Review: Food for the soul
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is one that I share with all my dear friends. I read it to a friend of mine who had just lost her dad, with whom she had sat as he lay dying of cancer in the hospital. She was returning home after settling his estate and stayed the night in my home. I read it to her as she fell asleep. When she awoke the next morning, she said that it was her first night of peaceful sleep in a long time. My reading this story to her aloud had had touched her so deeply that she decided to share it at her father's memorial service. I loved Griffin and Sabine as well, but the two books should not be compared. I loved this as much as Like Water for Chocolate and Babette's Feast. A ne pas manquer.Book Review: Magical
Summary: 5 Stars
This lavishly illustrated, endearing tale of the sojourn of Mademoiselle J at Pistoulet, a mystical (or is it?) farmhouse somewhere in France is part cookbook, part fable and a balm for the imagination. The Secret of Pistoulet invites the soul weary to revive their spirits by sojourning with Mademoiselle J and meeting the intriguing and wise cast of characters who come to visit her at Pistoulet and partake of her healing soups (recipe cards included). Try the Potage of Patience which rekindles joy in those who feel their lives passing them by. A real treat for anyone with magic in their hearts.