Podcasts > NPR's Book of the Day > In debut novel 'Food Person,' a food writer ghostwrites a celebrity cookbook

In debut novel 'Food Person,' a food writer ghostwrites a celebrity cookbook

By NPR (podcasts@npr.org)

NPR's Book of the Day explores the contrasting relationship with food between two women in Adam Roberts' novel: Isabella Pasternak, a cookbook enthusiast, and Molly Babcock, a food-averse celebrity. When Isabella takes on the role of ghostwriting Molly's cookbook, their interactions in the kitchen become a catalyst for personal growth and understanding.

The episode examines how family histories influence our connections to food and cooking, from generational recipes to childhood experiences in the kitchen. Roberts discusses the impact of food writers like Calvin Trillin and Ruth Reichl on his work, and illustrates how the simple act of preparing and sharing meals can create meaningful bonds between people, even when they approach food from vastly different perspectives.

Listen to the original

In debut novel 'Food Person,' a food writer ghostwrites a celebrity cookbook

This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jun 2, 2025 episode of the NPR's Book of the Day

Sign up for Shortform to access the whole episode summary along with additional materials like counterarguments and context.

In debut novel 'Food Person,' a food writer ghostwrites a celebrity cookbook

1-Page Summary

Main Characters' Dynamics and Contrasting Food Relationships

The narrative centers on two women with opposing relationships to food: Isabella Pasternak, who deeply loves cooking and collecting cookbooks, and Molly Babcock, a celebrity who shows little interest in food. Their story unfolds as Isabella takes on the task of ghostwriting a cookbook for Molly, leading to an unexpected journey of mutual understanding.

Family, History, and Emotion in Cooking

The story delves into how family histories shape our relationship with food. Molly's aversion to cooking stems from her mother's overwhelming presence in the kitchen, while the author discusses how certain dishes, like his mother-in-law's unique cottage cheese lasagna, carry deep emotional significance and strengthen family bonds through generations.

Food Writers' Influence on the Author

Adam Roberts shares his admiration for food writers like Calvin Trillin, Ruth Reichl, and M.F.K. Fisher, particularly praising their ability to weave personal stories and humor into food writing. Roberts observes that food writing can reveal deeper aspects of life, pointing to Trillin's essay about his daughter's college experience and her love for pumpernickel bagels as an example of how food stories can capture complex human emotions.

Cooking and Sharing Food Foster Connection and Growth

Roberts explores how cooking and sharing meals create intimate bonds between people. Through Isabella and Molly's story, he shows how the kitchen becomes a space for personal transformation. Isabella uses baked goods to connect with others without conversation, while the outgoing Molly learns thoughtfulness through their shared cooking experiences. Roberts emphasizes that sharing meals creates vulnerability and emotional connections, making the dining table a place where relationships deepen and grow.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • Explore your family's culinary history by creating a "heritage recipe journal" where you document old family recipes, the stories behind them, and your own experiences when you recreate these dishes. This can help you understand your relationship with food and its emotional significance, much like how family histories were highlighted in the podcast. For example, if your grandmother had a special pie she made for every family gathering, recreate it, write down the recipe, and note any memories or feelings that come up during the process.
  • Start a "bake and take" initiative in your neighborhood or workplace where you regularly prepare baked goods and share them with others. This mirrors Isabella's use of baked goods to connect with people. It's a simple way to foster connections and show thoughtfulness. You could, for instance, bake muffins on a Sunday and distribute them to your neighbors, sparking conversations and potentially new friendships.
  • Organize a "dine and discuss" evening where you invite friends or family to share a meal and have a conversation about a topic unrelated to food, such as life goals or favorite memories. This is inspired by the idea that sharing meals creates vulnerability and emotional connections. The act of eating together can serve as a catalyst for deeper discussions, strengthening bonds as you learn more about each other's lives and perspectives.

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
In debut novel 'Food Person,' a food writer ghostwrites a celebrity cookbook

Main Characters' Dynamics and Contrasting Food Relationships

In this narrative, we delve into the complex dynamics between two main characters, Isabella and Molly, brought together by their contrasting relationships with food.

Isabella's and Molly's Different Attitudes Toward Food

The story introduces us to Isabella Pasternak, a character with a profound passion for food. Her love extends to cooking and an avid collection of cookbooks, which symbolize her deep connection to the culinary world. In sharp contrast stands Molly Babcock, a well-known celebrity, whose relationship with food is one of disinterest, if not outright dislike.

Conflict and Connection Between two Women Due to Differing Relationships With Food

Isabella Ghostwrites a Cookbook for Disinterested Molly, Leading To Mutual Understanding and Appreciation

The plot thickens as Isabella is given the challenge of ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

Main Characters' Dynamics and Contrasting Food Relationships

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • Explore a new cuisine by cooking a dish from a country you're unfamiliar with to expand your culinary horizons and appreciation for diverse food cultures.
  • Start by researching a country's traditional recipes online or through a cultural community center. Choose a dish that intrigues you and gather the ingredients from a local international market. As you cook, take note of the flavors and techniques that are new to you. Share the meal with friends or family and discuss the cultural significance and your experience cooking it.
  • Partner with someone who has different food preferences for a recipe swap to foster mutual understanding and broaden your palate.
  • Find a friend, family member, or colleague who enjoys a type of food you're not typically fond of. Exchange your favorite recipes and commit to making each other's dishes. This activity encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and may help you discover new tastes you enjoy. Afterward, discuss what you learned about the dish and each other's preferences.
  • Write a reflective food journal entry after trying a new f ...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
In debut novel 'Food Person,' a food writer ghostwrites a celebrity cookbook

Family, History, and Emotion in Cooking

Cooking is more than just preparing food; it's an intimate act that often reflects family dynamics, history, and the complexity of emotions tied to our personal narratives.

Family Histories Shape Characters' Relationships With Food

One of the characters, Molly, has developed a noticeable resistance to both cooking and eating. This aversion is rooted in her relationship with her mother, who dominated the kitchen with her passion for cooking and an extensive collection of recipes. Molly's adverse reaction to food is a direct consequence of the overwhelming presence and control her mother commanded over the culinary domain of their household.

Exploring Emotional and Sentimental Aspects of Food Through Family Recipes and Memories

Family Recipes: Mother's Lasagna Tradition Evokes Emotion and Connection

On a more sentimental note, the author dives into the subject of family recipes and the emotions they evoke. He highlights a traditional dish - his mother-in-law's lasagna. It’s made with an atypical ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

Family, History, and Emotion in Cooking

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While cooking can reflect family dynamics, it is not the only or primary aspect of family life that does so; other activities and interactions can be equally or more reflective of family relationships.
  • Molly's resistance to cooking and eating could have multiple causes, not solely her mother's dominance in the kitchen; it could also stem from personal preferences, external influences, or other psychological factors.
  • Not all family recipes evoke positive emotions and connections; for some individuals, they may bring back negative memories or feelings of exclusion, especially if they felt alienated from family traditions.
  • The emotional value and tradition carried by a recipe like the mother-in-law's lasagna are subjective and may not be universally felt by all members of the family or by people ...

Actionables

  • You can create a "Family Recipe Remix" night where each family member reimagines a classic family dish. For example, if your grandmother's meatloaf is a family staple, try making a vegetarian version or incorporating flavors from a different cuisine. This activity allows you to explore your family's culinary history while adding your personal touch, fostering a sense of continuity and creativity.
  • Start a "Cooking Story Time" where, as you cook a family recipe, you also share a story about the person who created it or a memory associated with it. For instance, while preparing your uncle's famous barbecue ribs, recount the tale of the family reunion where they were the highlight. This practice deepens the emotional connection to the food and the family members associated with it.
  • Initiate a "Recipe Legacy Proje ...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
In debut novel 'Food Person,' a food writer ghostwrites a celebrity cookbook

Food Writers' Influence on the Author

Adam Roberts is influenced by celebrated food writers. He is particularly captivated by the way they weave personal stories, emotions, and humor into the fabric of food writing.

Inspiration From Food Writers: Trillin, Reichl, Fisher

Roberts has high regards for the works of Calvin Trillin, Ruth Reichl, and M.F.K. Fisher. He admires how Trillin can inject humor into the narrative of food. His appreciation for food writing expands beyond mere recipes, finding value in the way these writers encapsulate personal anecdotes and broader human experiences.

The Author Sees Food Writing's Power to Capture Emotions and Relationships Beyond Culinary Aspects

Food Writing Reveals Family Dynamics, Personal Growth, and the Human Condition

Roberts finds that food writing holds a unique power to unveil deeper aspects of life like family dynamics, personal growth, and the human condition. He refers to Trillin's essay about his daughter's venture to college as a prime example, wherein her fondness fo ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

Food Writers' Influence on the Author

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While Roberts appreciates the integration of personal stories and humor in food writing, some critics argue that this approach can sometimes overshadow the culinary aspects and practical information that readers may be seeking.
  • There is a perspective that humor and personal anecdotes, while engaging, may not always be appropriate, especially when discussing cuisines from cultures with which the writer does not have a personal connection, risking cultural insensitivity or misrepresentation.
  • The idea that food writing can alter the perceived taste of food might be seen as subjective and not universally applicable, as not all readers may be as influenced by narrative in their sensory experience.
  • Some may argue that the focus on personal stories and emotions in food writing is a trend that caters to a niche audience and does not represent the interests of all food enthusiasts.
  • Critics of the emotional and anecdotal approach in food writing might suggest that it can sometimes lead to a romanticization or dramatization of food that detracts fro ...

Actionables

  • Start a personal food diary that captures your emotions and experiences with each meal, not just the ingredients or the recipe. By reflecting on how certain dishes make you feel or the memories they evoke, you'll begin to see the connection between food, emotion, and storytelling. For example, if you have spaghetti, write about who taught you the recipe or a significant event where you shared this meal with others.
  • Host a themed dinner party where guests bring a dish and share a story related to it. This encourages a deeper appreciation of the food and the narratives behind it. You might choose a theme like "Comfort Food" and ask your friends to prepare a dish that comforts them, explaining why it has that effect.
  • Create a blog or social media page where you post photos of y ...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
In debut novel 'Food Person,' a food writer ghostwrites a celebrity cookbook

Cooking and Sharing Food Foster Connection and Growth

Roberts delves into the intimate bonding that develops through the acts of cooking and sharing meals together, using the transformative experiences of two women, Isabella and Molly, as the core of his exploration into this phenomenon.

Cooking and Sharing Food Forge Connections and Transformations

Roberts crafts a narrative centered on how cooking can be a conduit for profound interpersonal changes, with the kitchen serving as the stage for these developments.

Isabella and Molly Learn and Appreciate Each Other's Perspectives In the Kitchen

Inside the kitchen, Isabella and Molly, two contrasting characters, begin to reveal layers of their personalities. Isabella is portrayed as reserved, relying on her baked cookies as a way to engage with others without the necessity of conversation. Molly, on the other hand, is depicted as outgoing and attention-seeking, with a shortfall in thoughtfulness. Their relationship evolves as they cook alongside each other, breaking down barriers and fostering an environment where they learn and appreciate differing perspectives.

Food Sharing Fosters Emotional and Relational Growth

"Breaking Bread: How Shared Meals Foster Emotional Bonds"

In his piece, Roberts accentuates the act of "breaking bread" and articulates its significance in deepening relatio ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

Cooking and Sharing Food Foster Connection and Growth

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While cooking and sharing meals can lead to bonding, not all individuals find the kitchen to be a comfortable or bonding space due to personal or cultural differences.
  • Interpersonal changes can occur in many contexts, and cooking is just one of many conduits for such transformations; others may find different activities more conducive to relationship building.
  • The portrayal of Isabella and Molly may reinforce stereotypes (e.g., the quiet individual expressing themselves through food, the outgoing person lacking depth), which may not hold true for everyone and could oversimplify complex personalities.
  • The idea that cooking together always breaks down barriers may not account for situations where differences in culinary skills, tastes, or dietary restrictions could actually create tension or discomfort.
  • The emphasis on vulnerability during meal sharing might not resonate with individuals who view eating as a more private or personal act rather than a communal one.
  • The concept that mealtime is a potent catalyst for relationship-building may overlook other factors that contribute to strong relationships, such as shared interests, effective communication, and mutual respect outside of mealtime.
  • The narrative that sharing food provides emotional and relational growth might not acknowledge that some relationships may not benefit from or require shared meals to deepen or grow.
  • ...

Actionables

  • Host a 'mystery ingredient' dinner party where each guest brings an unmarked, prepared dish to share, sparking curiosity and conversation about the food origins and recipes. This encourages guests to share stories related to their dishes, fostering a sense of vulnerability and connection as they reveal personal anecdotes or family traditions linked to the food they've brought.
  • Create a 'recipe exchange' program with friends or neighbors, where you swap favorite recipes and then meet to discuss the experience of making and eating each other's dishes. This not only broadens your culinary repertoire but also opens up discussions about personal tastes, cultural backgrounds, and the memories associated with specific meals, deepening your understanding of each other.
  • Start a 'silent supper' tradition where you invite people over for a meal and agr ...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free

Create Summaries for anything on the web

Download the Shortform Chrome extension for your browser

Shortform Extension CTA