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More than Just Biryani
The culinary journey of three women who followed their hearts...
When Sonia Kapoor, a journalist working in a Hong Kong food magazine befriends Zubi, a shy Indian woman living in Hong Kong with her husband and child, she hopes to peel away the layers of fascinating stories about Zubi's connection with food. Hesitant at first, Zubi slowly opens up to Sonia, taking her to the Bangalore of her childhood and her mother's simply cooked home food. Life lessons are learnt with the help of familiar dishes and Sonia realises that there's more to Zubi and Muslim food than just their love for biryani.
At its heart, More Than Just Biryani is a story of understanding needs, discovering identities, overcoming fears and above all, embracing love.
Through the life stories of three women from three generations, the novel shows how food plays a significant role in shaping the lives and characters of each of these women.
In the process, it also gives out quite a bit of the recipes for delicious Muslim dishes such as kaali mirch ki phaal, lauz, etc.
When Sonia Kapoor, a journalist working in a Hong Kong food magazine befriends Zubi, a shy Indian woman living in Hong Kong with her husband and child, she hopes to peel away the layers of fascinating stories about Zubi's connection with food. Hesitant at first, Zubi slowly opens up to Sonia, taking her to the Bangalore of her childhood and her mother's simply cooked home food. Life lessons are learnt with the help of familiar dishes and Sonia realises that there's more to Zubi and Muslim food than just their love for biryani.
At its heart, More Than Just Biryani is a story of understanding needs, discovering identities, overcoming fears and above all, embracing love.
Through the life stories of three women from three generations, the novel shows how food plays a significant role in shaping the lives and characters of each of these women.
In the process, it also gives out quite a bit of the recipes for delicious Muslim dishes such as kaali mirch ki phaal, lauz, etc.
372 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2014
24 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
About the author
Andaleeb Wajid
77 books208 followersAndaleeb Wajid is the author of more than 35 novels. She writes romance, young adult, horror and speculative fiction.
For more details, check her website.
For more details, check her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
November 5, 2014
In a house in Bangalore, a mother of two makes lunch. Years later, a Hong Kong food journalist who has discovered a set of online videos in which a surprisingly adept home cook has demoed the art of making perfect biryani, decides that this might make for a good book. And years in the past, a new bride, the spoilt only daughter of a wealthy family, is suddenly catapulted into a small home in Vellore, crowded with disapproving older ladies who are shocked to discover that the new bride can’t cook.
These three stories—all interwoven, since they are the stories of three generations of women—are bound together by two main themes: marriage, and food. Marriage, which for Ruqayya is a pleasant and happy enough relationship with her husband, disturbed only by her unease with his female relatives. Marriage, blissful and romantic, even after ten years of it, for Ruqayya’s daughter Tahera—until Tahera is suddenly widowed, left pregnant and with two young children to bring up. Marriage, tortuous and strained yet passionate for Tahera’s daughter, Zubi.
Then there’s the food. The food which Tahera and Zubi cook, lovingly and with care, proud of their skills. The food which Ruqayya enjoys eating but does not know how to cook—she cannot even brew a decent cup of tea. Food, so lovingly described that it wafted to me the fragrance of simmering yakhni. Food that made me imagine what khichda or andey ka halva must taste like or what the painstakingly-crafted badam ki jaali must look like (the latter, I must admit, I actually did a Google search for; I couldn’t help myself).
I have read my fair share of food-oriented novels (I am a self-confessed foodaholic), and I have often come away dissatisfied. Either (as in the case of Erica Bauermeister’s The School of Essential Ingredients) the focus is on the story, rather than the food—and (this I find unforgivable in a ‘food novel') there are errors in the cooking described. Or, as in the case of Nicole Mones’s The Last Chinese Chef, the food descriptions are mouthwateringly good, but the story is average.
More Than Just Biryani, I am glad to say, ticked both boxes for me. The story is well-written, fast-moving, and extremely readable. And the food? Well, let’s just say it’s time Andaleeb Wajid wrote a cookbook as a companion to More Than Just Biryani.
These three stories—all interwoven, since they are the stories of three generations of women—are bound together by two main themes: marriage, and food. Marriage, which for Ruqayya is a pleasant and happy enough relationship with her husband, disturbed only by her unease with his female relatives. Marriage, blissful and romantic, even after ten years of it, for Ruqayya’s daughter Tahera—until Tahera is suddenly widowed, left pregnant and with two young children to bring up. Marriage, tortuous and strained yet passionate for Tahera’s daughter, Zubi.
Then there’s the food. The food which Tahera and Zubi cook, lovingly and with care, proud of their skills. The food which Ruqayya enjoys eating but does not know how to cook—she cannot even brew a decent cup of tea. Food, so lovingly described that it wafted to me the fragrance of simmering yakhni. Food that made me imagine what khichda or andey ka halva must taste like or what the painstakingly-crafted badam ki jaali must look like (the latter, I must admit, I actually did a Google search for; I couldn’t help myself).
I have read my fair share of food-oriented novels (I am a self-confessed foodaholic), and I have often come away dissatisfied. Either (as in the case of Erica Bauermeister’s The School of Essential Ingredients) the focus is on the story, rather than the food—and (this I find unforgivable in a ‘food novel') there are errors in the cooking described. Or, as in the case of Nicole Mones’s The Last Chinese Chef, the food descriptions are mouthwateringly good, but the story is average.
More Than Just Biryani, I am glad to say, ticked both boxes for me. The story is well-written, fast-moving, and extremely readable. And the food? Well, let’s just say it’s time Andaleeb Wajid wrote a cookbook as a companion to More Than Just Biryani.
April 30, 2014
Off late, the books I have been reading were failing to get me hooked! None of them transported me wholly into the land of Punjab or London where the books were set!
So I was glad, when I landed upon "More Than Just Biryani" - it took me on a delightful journey to Muslim kitchens (comparatively unknown for me) set in vellore, Bangalore and then Hong Kong! The book revolved around food and is full of lovely anecdotes!The story of a husband besotted by his wife's Shammi Kabab, to a new bride being accepted heartfully by her in-laws family only after she is able to dish out the delectous doodhi halwa, stories of how the matriarch doesn't share her secret ingredient(Glucose biscuit) which makes the most perfect 'Ande Ka Halwa', to how flipping rotis is the first step a young widow takes as she limps back to normal life, to the story of the protagonist for whom food is the only she knows to express her love and how the humble 'Biryani' opens up an all world of opportunities for her!
"More Than Just Biryani" is a book I finished in straight four hours and thoroughly enjoyed! The story crept in so much into my heart that I dreamt of it yesterday night and now I know I'll have to treat myself to a biryani Soon :-D. Its a book I will recommend to every food lover!
So I was glad, when I landed upon "More Than Just Biryani" - it took me on a delightful journey to Muslim kitchens (comparatively unknown for me) set in vellore, Bangalore and then Hong Kong! The book revolved around food and is full of lovely anecdotes!The story of a husband besotted by his wife's Shammi Kabab, to a new bride being accepted heartfully by her in-laws family only after she is able to dish out the delectous doodhi halwa, stories of how the matriarch doesn't share her secret ingredient(Glucose biscuit) which makes the most perfect 'Ande Ka Halwa', to how flipping rotis is the first step a young widow takes as she limps back to normal life, to the story of the protagonist for whom food is the only she knows to express her love and how the humble 'Biryani' opens up an all world of opportunities for her!
"More Than Just Biryani" is a book I finished in straight four hours and thoroughly enjoyed! The story crept in so much into my heart that I dreamt of it yesterday night and now I know I'll have to treat myself to a biryani Soon :-D. Its a book I will recommend to every food lover!
June 18, 2021
This book took me down memory lane in so many ways and it was a delight to revisit all the places of my childhood through the eyes of its characters. Set in my city, Bangalore, it mentions several places that were an important part of growing up for me.. an annual fair that was much anticipated, a picnic spot on the outskirts, a park that has near iconic value, so I was immediately hooked!
The story is something we can all relate to as well.Food plays a role in so many of our remembrances..festive food, comfort food, that special dish made by a loved one, the memory of cooking with a dear one. This is even truer for Zubi,a shy young mother living in Hong Kong as it connects her to home when she misses it. When a food journalist, Sonia, coaxes Zubi to share her stories with her, Zubi is slow to open up but gradually she trusts Sonia and tells her about growing up in Bangalore, what cooking came to mean for her mother Tahera and her grandmother Ruqayya and how it is not just biryani or kabab or halwa but all the associations it evokes. Three generations of women come together in Zubi's retelling even as Sonia senses there is something about her life that she is holding back.
The more I read it, the more I liked this story within a story. The characters are so relatable, with flaws, doubts, insecurities and desires that are just so human. The descriptions of food, of biryani,shaami,kufta and other essentially Muslim dishes made me feel hungry even as a vegetarian because the sizzle of hot oil, the fragrance of the masala and the crispness of the cutlets are all so familiar. The emotions of the three women are also expressed beautifully as are those of Sonia herself as she navigates through their tales and Zubi becomes so much more than an interesting story idea to her.
So overall, I gobbled this one up!
The story is something we can all relate to as well.Food plays a role in so many of our remembrances..festive food, comfort food, that special dish made by a loved one, the memory of cooking with a dear one. This is even truer for Zubi,a shy young mother living in Hong Kong as it connects her to home when she misses it. When a food journalist, Sonia, coaxes Zubi to share her stories with her, Zubi is slow to open up but gradually she trusts Sonia and tells her about growing up in Bangalore, what cooking came to mean for her mother Tahera and her grandmother Ruqayya and how it is not just biryani or kabab or halwa but all the associations it evokes. Three generations of women come together in Zubi's retelling even as Sonia senses there is something about her life that she is holding back.
The more I read it, the more I liked this story within a story. The characters are so relatable, with flaws, doubts, insecurities and desires that are just so human. The descriptions of food, of biryani,shaami,kufta and other essentially Muslim dishes made me feel hungry even as a vegetarian because the sizzle of hot oil, the fragrance of the masala and the crispness of the cutlets are all so familiar. The emotions of the three women are also expressed beautifully as are those of Sonia herself as she navigates through their tales and Zubi becomes so much more than an interesting story idea to her.
So overall, I gobbled this one up!
May 4, 2014
It was a joy to read! Excellent story and storytelling! Once I started reading, it didn't take me more than a few minutes to dive into the world of Zubi, Tahera and Ruqayya. It was certainly more than just Biryani. I ended up finishing the book in 1 day flat.
March 5, 2014
With a title like More than Just Biryani, you would expect this novel to revolve around food. And yes, food is omnipresent, and beautifully described, whether it is the labour of love that is kutt or the intricacies of making lauz. But at its heart, More than Just Biryani is a tender, sometimes sad, but eventually triumphant tale about love and family, that spans three generations: Ruqqaya, the young 1950s bride in Vellore who doesn’t know to cook, Tahera, who has culinary magic in her fingers, and Hong-Kong-based Zubi, who finds refuge from her troubled marriage in recipes that have been handed down over the generations. For each, food represents different things: for one it is a tyrant that she ultimately overcomes, for another a passion, for the third, a saviour; and their relationship with food ultimately mirrors the relationship struggles in their own lives. Andaleeb Wajid is observant, funny and honest, and the best parts of the book are when she captures the little details: the sights and smells of Hong Kong, the resentment a mother feels when a daughter shows love to an aunt, the familiarity and warmth of coming back to a mother’s home, and of course all the little details of growing up in a traditional Muslim household. Thoroughly enjoyable and much recommended.
March 9, 2020
While I've enjoyed some of Andaleeb Wajid's other books, especially the Jasmine Villa series, I didn't like this one at all. Ruqayya and Tahera are interesting characters but their fascinating stories were never satisfactorily completed; instead, we get a lot of Zubi and Sonia, neither of whom is very likeable. Zubi's story is angst-ridden and Sonia's is confused. And all of the author's male characters seem to fit the handsome, brooding stereotype, so much so that they are indistinguishable from each other. I wish they had the complexity and nuances that the female characters (even minor ones) have.
More importantly, the jacket blurb promised a story that was about food and its role in the lives of three women of three generations. But there wasn't enough of the food and I am not even sure if the author managed to communicate the fact that Islamic cuisine has more to offer than just biryani. Because she keeps talking about biryani! There are a couple of fascinating desserts mentioned but many of the other recipes didn't seem uniquely Islamic (like khichda or gajar ka halwa). I would have loved to know more about Islamic dishes that are not mainstream.
If you are planning to read Wajid's books, please don't start with this one.
More importantly, the jacket blurb promised a story that was about food and its role in the lives of three women of three generations. But there wasn't enough of the food and I am not even sure if the author managed to communicate the fact that Islamic cuisine has more to offer than just biryani. Because she keeps talking about biryani! There are a couple of fascinating desserts mentioned but many of the other recipes didn't seem uniquely Islamic (like khichda or gajar ka halwa). I would have loved to know more about Islamic dishes that are not mainstream.
If you are planning to read Wajid's books, please don't start with this one.
Read
June 29, 2014Poignant, hard-hitting, teeming with flavours that steam up a story right out of the by-lanes of Shivajinagar and Frazer Town. Throw in some Tamilian Muslim culture and food, and you get a fascinating story of love, family, fun, food, laughter and life. It reminded me of the biryani that we binged on at friends' places in school and college. The taste (read: stories) were like the one in this book Andaleeb! Beautifully written I must say. So realistic that it gave me a sense of déjà vu thinking of childhood friends and neighbours whose lives told of such stories.
Thank you for a brilliant and riveting book. Interesting, simple and very real ... Waiting for your next.
Thank you for a brilliant and riveting book. Interesting, simple and very real ... Waiting for your next.
June 24, 2016
A fine and genuine story by a relatively unknown author. It's the journey of the life of three women bonded by common thread of their passion for cooking good food. And just like the variety of spices in their food, the women are also filled with a myriad of emotions. In India a very genuine way to express love your family members is through the food that you cook. It's not just about having the correct recipe and the right proportions but a touch of love from your hand. A must read for all the food lovers.
February 7, 2014
A book I finished in less than 3hours, infact would have finished sooner but prolonged it, dint want it to end.
A book about women, 3 generations, and another lady, who ties them all in for us
A book about food, about traditions, emotions, daily life commotion and so much more
A book that was simple, intense, deep, quirky and had me drooling at all the dishes elaborately described!!
Keep writing Andaleeb, love your style of writing :)
A book about women, 3 generations, and another lady, who ties them all in for us
A book about food, about traditions, emotions, daily life commotion and so much more
A book that was simple, intense, deep, quirky and had me drooling at all the dishes elaborately described!!
Keep writing Andaleeb, love your style of writing :)
July 12, 2016
This book is a joy read for every cooking enthusiast and food lover. I am both. So I throughly enjoyed it. While reading the book I have also noted down few recipes which I'm going to try out soon.
The book describes the life of three women of three different generation and their talent to express their love through a wide range of food that they cook. They touch your lips and just melt your heart.
The book describes the life of three women of three different generation and their talent to express their love through a wide range of food that they cook. They touch your lips and just melt your heart.
May 10, 2014
More than just Biryani is not just about the food but rather, a journey of a woman. It has quite the subtleties of aroma, the sweet, the salty and the spicy ingredients of life just like how the Biryani is. And finally lingers into you with the minty taste of freshness.
February 9, 2014
Kept wanting to look up the recipes for all that yummy food. As for lauz? I am hooked.
August 8, 2016
It was an awesome read. Funny, Sad, Love and FOOD -- This book had everything.
May 25, 2020
Week 21 Book 14
More Than Just Biryani by Andaleeb Wajid
Rating: 3/5
I find Ms Wajid's books strictly okay, yet I can't stop myself from reading them. They usually focus on an annoying girl/woman obsessed about her handsome husband/fiance/crush. This book was no different and wouldn't have got this rating had it not featured a new character: Food!
MTJB is a story of 3 generations of Muslim women who carved a niche for themselves in their family through food. From main course to desserts, they mastered centuries old recipes, often with a twist of their own.
Compared to the rest of her novels, the protagonist in this one was exceedingly annoying, and the pace unusually excruciatingly slow. Took me forever to read, but I did, because the author has included recipes in the novel very cleverly!
One can definitely get a glimpse into the Hyderabadi muslim cuisine through this book, which made me salivate and get hungry every time I read it.. fair warning: don't read this book without some sort of food around! It was interesting to know that Hyderabadi/Muslims eat More Than Just Biryani :)
A timepass read, not missing anything if you skip.
More Than Just Biryani by Andaleeb Wajid
Rating: 3/5
I find Ms Wajid's books strictly okay, yet I can't stop myself from reading them. They usually focus on an annoying girl/woman obsessed about her handsome husband/fiance/crush. This book was no different and wouldn't have got this rating had it not featured a new character: Food!
MTJB is a story of 3 generations of Muslim women who carved a niche for themselves in their family through food. From main course to desserts, they mastered centuries old recipes, often with a twist of their own.
Compared to the rest of her novels, the protagonist in this one was exceedingly annoying, and the pace unusually excruciatingly slow. Took me forever to read, but I did, because the author has included recipes in the novel very cleverly!
One can definitely get a glimpse into the Hyderabadi muslim cuisine through this book, which made me salivate and get hungry every time I read it.. fair warning: don't read this book without some sort of food around! It was interesting to know that Hyderabadi/Muslims eat More Than Just Biryani :)
A timepass read, not missing anything if you skip.
March 29, 2025
A good read indeed.
October 7, 2017
I put away the book after part 1... why do people write about such sad things! But the characters just nestled inside my head and kept poking me to read them. And I'm so glad I did. Loved part 2 of the book and by the end of the book I had a mini crush on khaled myself!
What amazing writing! So glad I picked up this book!
What amazing writing! So glad I picked up this book!
January 7, 2015
After reading My brother's Wedding, I could not wait to read More than Just Biryani. What I like about Andaleeb's books is how relatable they are.
Being a 'foodie' myself, I knew I would enjoy this book from the start (so many hidden recipes in there). Also, I am a sucker for the format of books where the narration keeps shifting in time and place. That way you get into the skin of each character whose story is unfolding as you turn the pages.
Three women, three different generations, all connected by food. While I loved the Grandmother's part the best and teared up for the mother's part, Zubi's part made me want to shake her up and make her see how wonderful her life can be. :)
A wonderful read. A book that doesn't get too heavy and yet, keeps you engrossed. Do pick it up and I'm sure you wouldn't want to put it down until it's done.
Being a 'foodie' myself, I knew I would enjoy this book from the start (so many hidden recipes in there). Also, I am a sucker for the format of books where the narration keeps shifting in time and place. That way you get into the skin of each character whose story is unfolding as you turn the pages.
Three women, three different generations, all connected by food. While I loved the Grandmother's part the best and teared up for the mother's part, Zubi's part made me want to shake her up and make her see how wonderful her life can be. :)
A wonderful read. A book that doesn't get too heavy and yet, keeps you engrossed. Do pick it up and I'm sure you wouldn't want to put it down until it's done.
July 2, 2016
This is a quick read and it is a well-written book, connecting three generations of a Muslim family's women through their culinary skills, and shows how food becomes such a de-stresser, healer,and provides a method of bonding and love. There is an introduction to Muslim dishes apart from Biryani. But of course, the book is about more than just biryani, it is about love and relationships and how they are forged and broken, between mother and daughter, between husband and wife, and between friends. The language is excellent and the pace is good. it is only towards the end that I found the pace slowing, and too much time being taken for the resolution. I can understand why Andaleeb is a popular author. She has excellent command on language, and an understanding of human nature.
July 3, 2015
Well ..... it was about food ie Indian food but it failed to bring that happy contentment you get when you read about food. The blurb mentions it to be the story of three generations of women who find happiness in life through food. It is indeed that but it somehow fails to strike a chord . The tone throughout the book is melancholy and that is not what I expected from a book with Biryani in its title.
But the writing is good , the characters are well etched and it is not really the author's fault that I dislike melancholy people.
But the writing is good , the characters are well etched and it is not really the author's fault that I dislike melancholy people.
February 11, 2014
It is a delightful read. The book is a journey of three different women in three different cities narrated by Sonia Kapoor, the perfect sutradhaar of the story.
The story goes back and forth across generations. The main element of the story, FOOD plays an integral part in their lives from Tahera to Sonia.
I laughed, cried and sympathized with the characters of the book. The food that my mom makes everyday made me connect to the food easily (felt proud at times).
The story goes back and forth across generations. The main element of the story, FOOD plays an integral part in their lives from Tahera to Sonia.
I laughed, cried and sympathized with the characters of the book. The food that my mom makes everyday made me connect to the food easily (felt proud at times).
February 19, 2014
A poignant read about 3 women, their kitchen, their loves, their food. Woven beautifully tracing recipes that makes us want to reach out for the kitchen ingredients..and leaves us feeling as if we are home.
May 15, 2014
Beautiful book ... Not only does it leave you hungry for all the food that it celebrates but also for the book to never end.. The characters captivate your imagination for a long time even after the book ends and of course it leaves you longing for the lauz :)
Read
August 11, 2016good light read. glad to find a new indian author to follow!
January 5, 2015
Such a delight to read, food stories and life
May 2, 2014
Lovely read..
January 21, 2015
Can't think of better written book with Fiction + Food recipes
July 19, 2023
This book celebrates the love for food and relationships.
If food could talk, it would tell you some absolutely amazing tales. Just like a biryani that has all the ingredients to make it special for all occasions, this tale of three women will captivate you from the start until the end. Relationships are much more complex than making biryani, that's for sure.
More than just biryani is not a straight-forward narration of one protagonist. Starting with the mother, who starts explaining her relationship with the food she is making for her family. When a horrific accident changes little for a mother but a lot for their growing daughter. The shock and grief caused by the accident have a chain reaction from the mother to the daughter, who tries to understand her relationship with her husband.
The narration shifts from the mother to the daughter, who has to establish her place in the new family, and she uses her mother's recipes to garner appreciation for her skills. Even when she shifts from India to Hong Kong with her husband and son, she tries to adapt to a different culture. But ultimately, it is her mother's recipes that help her bridge the strained relationship between her and her husband.
The narration of Sonia, the modern woman and reporter, is always stirring with highs and lows, just like boiled milk about to get spilled.
What happened to the biryani? Nothing. Food never changes, just the cook and the consumers.
The thing is, for women, the kitchen is more than just a place to cook. It's a place to reveal not just recipes but also some hidden secrets. The kitchen is a place to exchange cultures but also a space to know who's in charge of what ingredients. You may see the kitchen as a separate space from the outside, but it actually connects different generations to one another. The recipes and ingredients may remain the same or different; it's the intention and the relationship that the cook has with the consumer that matter.
In this book, food brings relationships closer. There are so many memories attached to the food that the mother cooked for her husband. There are so many memories that Zubi is creating while cooking for her husband. There are so many unspoken feelings that Sonia is watching unfold as she watches Zubi's cooking show on YouTube.
Ultimately, what matters most is that, whether it's a relationship or a biryani, you need to use all the correct ingredients and cook it at the correct temperature, but most of all, do not abandon it for a cup of coffee.
If food could talk, it would tell you some absolutely amazing tales. Just like a biryani that has all the ingredients to make it special for all occasions, this tale of three women will captivate you from the start until the end. Relationships are much more complex than making biryani, that's for sure.
More than just biryani is not a straight-forward narration of one protagonist. Starting with the mother, who starts explaining her relationship with the food she is making for her family. When a horrific accident changes little for a mother but a lot for their growing daughter. The shock and grief caused by the accident have a chain reaction from the mother to the daughter, who tries to understand her relationship with her husband.
The narration shifts from the mother to the daughter, who has to establish her place in the new family, and she uses her mother's recipes to garner appreciation for her skills. Even when she shifts from India to Hong Kong with her husband and son, she tries to adapt to a different culture. But ultimately, it is her mother's recipes that help her bridge the strained relationship between her and her husband.
The narration of Sonia, the modern woman and reporter, is always stirring with highs and lows, just like boiled milk about to get spilled.
What happened to the biryani? Nothing. Food never changes, just the cook and the consumers.
The thing is, for women, the kitchen is more than just a place to cook. It's a place to reveal not just recipes but also some hidden secrets. The kitchen is a place to exchange cultures but also a space to know who's in charge of what ingredients. You may see the kitchen as a separate space from the outside, but it actually connects different generations to one another. The recipes and ingredients may remain the same or different; it's the intention and the relationship that the cook has with the consumer that matter.
In this book, food brings relationships closer. There are so many memories attached to the food that the mother cooked for her husband. There are so many memories that Zubi is creating while cooking for her husband. There are so many unspoken feelings that Sonia is watching unfold as she watches Zubi's cooking show on YouTube.
Ultimately, what matters most is that, whether it's a relationship or a biryani, you need to use all the correct ingredients and cook it at the correct temperature, but most of all, do not abandon it for a cup of coffee.
September 23, 2021
The story revolves around Tahera, her mother Ruqayya, her daughter Zubi and Sonia. Tahera loses her husband in an accident and is devastated. Zubi holds herself responsible for her father’s death and shies away from falling in love so that she will not be like her mother eventually if she loses her love. Ruqayya, an affluent educated girl who has never stepped in the kitchen is puzzled by the dynamics of the kitchen politics when she gets married in a middle class family. Sonia, out of boredom and the quest to do something, embarks on the journey of these women via Zubi while traversing through her own life. What challenges do these women face? Will Tahera ever recover from the loss? Will Zubi ever reconcile with her past demons? Will Ruqayya be able to create a place for herself in her household? How is each one linked to Biryani? Why is Sonia interested in their lives? So many questions… Can only be answered if you read the book!
The book created an aura which sucked me into the lives of these women and left me pondering over love, life and loss. The characters, their insecurities and their struggle to find a footing in their own life is vivid and bring forths the nuances of thought processes of human beings. Cooking as a means to soothe oneself, to be one up than others and to find our own identity is beautifully penned by the author. The author has interlaced the stories with mouth watering recipes that I am definitely going to try a few of them! It has also made me realize that there is more to the Muslim cuisines than just Biryani!
If you like reading about strong women, you will surely love the story!
Read my other reviews by clicking on the following link
https://mintiblog.wordpress.com/
The book created an aura which sucked me into the lives of these women and left me pondering over love, life and loss. The characters, their insecurities and their struggle to find a footing in their own life is vivid and bring forths the nuances of thought processes of human beings. Cooking as a means to soothe oneself, to be one up than others and to find our own identity is beautifully penned by the author. The author has interlaced the stories with mouth watering recipes that I am definitely going to try a few of them! It has also made me realize that there is more to the Muslim cuisines than just Biryani!
If you like reading about strong women, you will surely love the story!
Read my other reviews by clicking on the following link
https://mintiblog.wordpress.com/
April 21, 2018
I have one word for this one - WOW.
Andaleeb Wajid is a very gifted author with a penchant of weaving stories through 'la vie quotidienne'. Her stories are relatable and characters are very humane.
More Than Just Biryani is an intriguing book which takes us on a journey into the lives of Ruqayya, Tahera and Zubi..
Ruqayya's is a sweet story of finding her own mark in her husband's house where each of the women possess expertise in culinary skills. She finds her mark through desserts.
Tahera's is a bittersweet story of survival after her husband's death and finding a purpose through cooking scrumptious meals for everyone.
Zubi's is an emotional story of opening one's heart and finding love.
I liked Zubi's story the most. She is vulnerable and lost due to a tragedy which happened in her childhood and how she finds courage to love her Khaled.
I read this one in one sitting as all the stories keep you engaged till the end.
Would love to read more books by Andaleeb Wajid.
Andaleeb Wajid is a very gifted author with a penchant of weaving stories through 'la vie quotidienne'. Her stories are relatable and characters are very humane.
More Than Just Biryani is an intriguing book which takes us on a journey into the lives of Ruqayya, Tahera and Zubi..
Ruqayya's is a sweet story of finding her own mark in her husband's house where each of the women possess expertise in culinary skills. She finds her mark through desserts.
Tahera's is a bittersweet story of survival after her husband's death and finding a purpose through cooking scrumptious meals for everyone.
Zubi's is an emotional story of opening one's heart and finding love.
I liked Zubi's story the most. She is vulnerable and lost due to a tragedy which happened in her childhood and how she finds courage to love her Khaled.
I read this one in one sitting as all the stories keep you engaged till the end.
Would love to read more books by Andaleeb Wajid.
August 7, 2021
A Brilliant Read
More Than Just Biryani is a book written in the form of nested Russian dolls. We begin with a diffident food journalist who meets a woman who has prepared biryani and the reader wonders what is this all about. But, in my case, after the second chapter, it was very difficult to stay away from the book. The lives of Zubi, the protagonist, her mother, Tahera and the grandmother, Rukayya are transformed with marriage, as happens with all traditional Indian girls. Here's where the novel differs from others - because it chooses to highlight how food and its loving preparation for their families is the common thread that runs through the lives of the three women. There are recipes which read like they're love notes - the chopping, frying, mixing and the aromas transcend the book and reach the reader.
There are quite a few recipes that I would not dare to touch. But then there are also a few which I am raring to try. Well done, Andaleeb Wajid!
More Than Just Biryani is a book written in the form of nested Russian dolls. We begin with a diffident food journalist who meets a woman who has prepared biryani and the reader wonders what is this all about. But, in my case, after the second chapter, it was very difficult to stay away from the book. The lives of Zubi, the protagonist, her mother, Tahera and the grandmother, Rukayya are transformed with marriage, as happens with all traditional Indian girls. Here's where the novel differs from others - because it chooses to highlight how food and its loving preparation for their families is the common thread that runs through the lives of the three women. There are recipes which read like they're love notes - the chopping, frying, mixing and the aromas transcend the book and reach the reader.
There are quite a few recipes that I would not dare to touch. But then there are also a few which I am raring to try. Well done, Andaleeb Wajid!
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