Delicious!

A Novel

By: Ruth Reichl

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Length: 12 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

In her best-selling memoirs, Ruth Reichl has long illuminated the theme of how food defines us, and never more so than in her dazzling fiction debut about sisters, family ties, and a young woman who must finally let go of guilt and grief to embrace her own true gifts.

Billie Breslin has travelled far from her California home to take a job at Delicious, the most iconic food magazine in New York and, thus, the world. When the publication is suddenly shut down, the colourful staff, who have become an extended family for Billie, must pick up their lives and move on. Not Billie, though. She is offered a new job: Staying behind in the magazine's deserted downtown mansion offices to uphold the "Delicious Guarantee" - a public relations hotline for complaints and recipe inquiries - until further notice. What she doesn't know is that this boring, lonely job will be the portal to a life-changing discovery.

Delicious! carries the listener to the colourful world of downtown New York restaurateurs and artisanal purveyors. And from the lively food shop in Little Italy where Billie works on weekends to a hidden room in the magazine's library where she discovers the letters of Lulu Swan, a plucky 12-year-old, who wrote to the legendary chef James Beard during World War II. Lulu's letters lead Billie to a deeper understanding of history (and the history of food), but most important, Lulu's courage in the face of loss inspires Billie to come to terms with her own issues - the panic attacks that occur every time she even thinks about cooking, the truth about the big sister she adored, and her ability to open her heart to love.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2014 Ruth Reichl (P)2014 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"[Ruth Reichl is] the culinary scene queen...the most influential food person in America today." ( National Post)

"Reading Ruth Reichl on food is almost as good as eating it...Reichl makes the reader feel present with her, sharing her experience." ( The Washington Post Book World)

"[Reichl] is fair-minded, brave, and a wonderful writer." ( The New York Times Book Review)

Delicious is a Delight!

Thank you for this wonderful combination of fantastic food, strong and beautiful characters, a connection to the past, and a story I enjoyed from start to finish!

Surprisingly Lovely!

I have never been into a food novel, but now I love it, and would like venturing some of this author. And Julia Whelan as always has been fabulous with her voices, and always been my favorite since I joining Audible.

Fiction about Food and History

This is a charming story intertwining food and history. Although the renowned Delicious! magazine has shut down, the publishing company has continued to employ Billie Breslin to respond to the complaint hotline and recipe inquires to keep the "Delicious Guarantee." As the last remaining employee, Billie explores the mansion that served as the magazine offices. She discovers a hidden room in the library and letters from 12-year old Lulu Swan to James Beard (before he became a famous chef). The letters give a child perspective on food, rationing, and the effects on WWII on American families. Although Billie has an exceptional palate, she doesn't cook anymore and doesn't explain why. This secret is more of a distraction than a "hook" to keep the story intriguing.

Many yummy twists and turns

I really didn't know what to expect from this book. Often times the path was surprising, and I loved the characters. Once again, Ruth Reichl's detailed descriptions of food actually made me salivate.

Delicious!!

I loved the book! Her descriptions helped me to see the mansion, smell the aromas, and taste the flavors. The characters came alive and became my friends.
Excellent narration. 5*s.

just like the title this book is delicious!

I downloaded this book on a whim knew nothing about it and I am oh so happy I did! the story was wonderful the history and the food knowledge was unexpected and delightful really really enjoyed this book!

A must read.

One of the best books I have read in a long time. I had a hard time saying goodbye to the characters at the end.
Amazing author and amazing performance.

The title tells it all!

Would you consider the audio edition of Delicious! to be better than the print version?

I never read the print version, but I'd like to get the recipe.

What other book might you compare Delicious! to and why?

Probably The Help is the best to compare it to. Great characters, poignant story, well told.

Have you listened to any of Julia Whelan’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

If you could take any character from Delicious! out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Sammy (along with a Thesarus).

Any additional comments?

This is one of the best books I've heard on Audible in the 15 years I've been a member.

Delicious!

I enjoyed getting to know these characters and seeing the world through their eyes. I know I will hear it again over the years.

A book for a food lover.

The story was excellent. I loved the mix of history and the modern day. The fact that food was the focal point, made this foodie’s day. I really enjoyed Billie and LuLu. I will have to check out more of Ruth Reichi books, and you never can go wrong with Julia Whelan as your narrator.