Toast

The Story of a Boy's Hunger

By: Nigel Slater

Narrated by: Nigel Slater

A deliciously evocative story of childhood in 1960s suburban England from one of theUnited Kingdom's best-loved writers, Nigel Slater

Toast is the truly extraordinary story of a childhood remembered through food. In each chapter, as Nigel Slater takes us on a tour of the contents of his family's pantry—rice pudding, tinned ham, cream soda, mince pies, lemon drops, bourbon biscuits—we are transported…

His mother is a chops-and-peas sort of cook, exasperated by the highs and lows of a temperamental stove, a finicky little son, and the asthma that would prove fatal. His father is a honey-and-crumpets man with an unpredictable temper. When he is widowed, Nigel's father takes on a housekeeper with social aspirations and a talent in the kitchen and the following years become a heartbreaking cooking contest for his affections. As he slowly loses, Nigel finds a new outlet for his culinary gifts and we witness the birth of a lifelong passion for food. Nigel's likes and dislikes, aversions and sweet-toothed weaknesses, form a fascinating backdrop to this exceptionally moving memoir of childhood, adolescence, and sexual awakening.

With a new preface and glossary for American readers, this British bestseller and national award winner is sure to delight foodies and memoir enthusiasts on this side of the pond. Possessed of the subtlety and wit of Ruth Reichl's Tender at the Bone and the disarming frankness of Anthony Bourdain's page-turning Kitchen Confidential, Toast is a treat to be savored.

©2003 Nigel Slater and ©2004 Penguin Audio. All rights reserved; (P)2003 HarperCollins Publishers Ltd., London, UK.

Tasty Memoir

Nigel Slater relates a delightful coming of age story through food, meals, surviving his mother's cooking, and dishes of all kinds. It is a wonderfully light book divided into short chapters which can be tasted at will and bite-sized pieces.

I wish that Slater had developed some of those chapters and thoughts more thoroughly, however. Many of them just seem out of place within the book. They are not linked in anyway to what went before or what comes after. Some of the chapters didn't really reach a conclusion which was frustrating.

On the other hand, his style of writing is wonderful, the reading is great and very enjoyable. Approach this book as a series of recollections, nothing more, and you'll be rewarded.

A Good Bit of Toast

This book is a perfect meal for all foodies out there. The author of the book is also the reader. Slater imbues his text with personal emotion and great humor. I found myself wanting more and getting very hungry in the process. This is also a great culinary guide to British home style cooking in the 60's and 70's. Very engaging and fast read.

Great!

When someone really loves you, they make you toast. Toast is Nigel Slater's favorite food and a great metaphor for anything warm, comforting and memorable - like this book. It's a great biography and introduction to good food. follow it up with Eating for England.

Nigel Slater is fabulous!

Didn't even know who Nigel Slater was when I bought the book (even though I am English!). A fantastic and nostalgic account of growing up in England. The ups & downs of life, very blunt and honest, very dry. I remember all the food so well. His descriptions were so clear, I could almost smell the rice pudding, the crumble; almost taste those mash potatoes, and especially the Walnut Whip!
I will be on the look out if he decides to make audio books of his other books. Brilliant!

Very enjoyable

I enjoyed this bittersweet memoir by one of Britain's best-known chefs. Each brief chapter is named for a different food. This is a disturbing and definitely NOT an idealized life, but I found myself fascinated. I enjoyed his perspective on food - very British.