Zucchini Pie

by Susan Aylworth

When Karen Burnett receives word that 100-year-old Granny Adelaide is fading fast, she and her husband rush to the hospital to say their good-byes. As the end draws near, Granny reveals her dying wish: she wants each member of her fragmented family present at her funeral, as well as at a picnic dinner featuring nostalgic family foods. In her last breaths, she calls upon her granddaughter-in-law, Karen, to carry out this seemingly insurmountable task. With cherished recipes in hand and a determination to follow through with her promise, Karen sets Granny’s plan in motion. Karen’s husband, Tom, however, is less than enthusiastic about his grandmother’s meddling. He hasn’t seen his father—the man who abandoned Tom, his mother, and younger siblings—in decades, and the years have done nothing to diminish his bitterness. As the day of the funeral approaches, Tom must decide: will he allow himself to be consumed by his anger, or will he embrace the potential for peace? Zucchini Pie is a heartfelt novel of connection: of a struggling family and the food that one wise old woman trusts will bring them back together.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Fiction, Lds

329 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2013

About the author

The Wholesome Heart of Happily Ever After...

It all started when I was a kid. I developed a love of raspberry jam (still love it) and a love of writing (ditto on that one too).

I wrote my first book at the ripe old age of nine. It was eight whole pages! Unfortunately, it was a shameless rip-off of Black Beauty. What can I say? Like most girls, I loved horses (yep, still do). For my fifth-grade career day, I declared my desire to become a rich and famous author. Years later, I’m pleased to have achieved the “author” part of that goal.

One of my favorite things about writing is the research part! I know, it’s a bit of a surprise to some folks, because it sounds suspiciously like “homework”. But for me, it’s so much fun! I truly enjoy researching the backgrounds and careers of the characters in my novels and of course the plot lines. It's one way to live many lives all at once.

And what better inspiration than beautiful northern California, where I live with my writer husband, Roger (birds of a feather as they say). I’ve also lived on the East Coast and in the Navajo Nation, the setting for several of my novels. Like most women of my generation, I wish the kids would visit more often. When they’re not around, I enjoy playing with my imaginary friends, who take me on all kinds of adventures.

If you enjoy my books, please tell everyone you know: friends, relatives, neighbors, the person who delivers your mail, folks you meet in line in the grocery store…ahem. I love hearing from readers (the good, the bad, and the funny). Reach me at susan@susanaylworth.com

Reviews

[Lisa Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zucchini Pie

I really enjoyed this book. The recipes sound delicious and many were unique. They all sounded like they would be yummy. Granny Adelaide knew what she was doing when she assign Karen the task of a family reunion. Smart little old lady. She lived to be over 100 years old. Quite a feat for a human being. The lessons learned and the family struggles of a broken family coming together was heart rendering. This book could gave been called Humble Pie as so many lessons on humility were taught. But watching the Burnett family support each other in love and acceptance is what we all want our families to be like. Because of our Savior's atonement all things are possible.

[Ellen T. Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many ups and downs

Wonderful Mormon Christian book. I loved all of the ups and downs in this book. Wonderful to see how a Christian family deals with mental illness and as their family survives through knowledge and forgiveness and a deep growing love for each other. There were moments of laughter and sadness in this book. I loved it! This book was so thought provoking as you become involved in the lives of the Burnett family. Wonderful recipes too!

[Danni · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun book.

[Swhe641200 · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd ward book group. Just a fun fast read. Lots of good recipes

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grandma always know best!

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

For starters, it is better to read this book when you have a big chunk of uninterrupted time. I picked it up in small increments over a two week timeframe and wasn't until the end that I really got into it because of it. With it written in sections by characters in the family and their feelings and thoughts during the time of funeral preparations, it was harder to get into than other forms of writings. This is why I gave it a 3 instead of a 4. It was a book well worth reading with many valuable life lessons and insight into mental illness.

Wow, where to start! Granny Adelaide was the one who stepped in to help when her son, Thomas Sr. left his schizophrenic wife, and three oldest children, Tom Jr, 12, Mary and Steve and moved to Texas with the "babysitter, Rocio and the two youngest children Carrie, 4 and Michael,2. Tom Jr. came away from the experience with a resentment toward Rocio and his father and betrayal for being left responsible for picking up the broken pieces. His view of what led to the breakup of the family is skewed due to his being involved in school, sports, scouts, and friends than his younger sibling who were around their ill mother more and the interference that Rocio gave them from their mother's ravings.

When Granny dies and asks Karen, Tom's wife to invite all the family including the Texas family to her funeral as a reunion of sorts with family recipes to bring them together, Karen tries to refuse, but Granny can be persistent and won out getting a promise to do her last wish. Granny has stayed in touch with her grandchildren in Texas and gives the contact info.

Tom struggles to come to the truth when an old box of his mother's is found with evidence that her mental illness was present long before his father left and that medication was prescribed but not taken by his mother. He also finds unopened letters from his father and checks above court ordered amounts to help support his children that he left. Tom becomes humbled by his findings and apologizes to Rocio and welcomes his texas family of which his brother, Michael also has hard feelings about Tom's refusal to accept him with open arms after 30 years of anger.

Also, one of Karen and Tom's daughters, Stephanie, has a secret of her own, she has been dealing with depression and has had one episode of violent behavior in which herself and a room mate were hurt by her outburst. She moves home afterwards but hasn't told her parents about her decision to never date a guy more than twice because she doesn't plan on marrying or having a family so as not to hurt people like her grandmother did or pass on her mental illness. After she lets her mother in on her secret and plans, her mother tells her to research chemical imbalances and know that there is medication and support to allow her to have a full life and not to limit her decisions based on fear. I liked how it was expressed that depression and other mental illnesses aren't a choice, but something that are out of our control and that it is okay to use medication in treating them. It isn't always something that can be fixed by discipline and being stronger.

I liked the little twist of Emily sharing the gospel with her choir friends and teacher as she is selecting songs for the funeral. Music can be such a powerful tool in inviting the spirit to testify of truth.

I liked the explanation of Granny's communication with God not simple praying but having "frequent, loving chats with God,"

Overall, great, insightful read if you can keep reading till then end.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why is that families and funerals always seem to revolve around food? Well, at least that's true in this story.

Just before Granny Adelaide passes away at the ripe old age of 100, she makes her granddaughter-in-law promise to get the whole family together for the funeral--even those who are estranged--and she wants the family dinner to be comprised of family recipes. Karen sets out to do just that.

There were a lot of recipes included and some really look good. There were times when I felt that the chapter was written just to get that recipe out there. Food was more important than people and feelings. Yet, there were other times when the characters really seemed to come to life and the reader really got a sense for what makes that particular character tick.

There were a lot of issues that needed to be dealt with and things were resolved, but it seemed that the problems were wrapped up a little too neatly. There were some hard and bitter feelings and after a few pages of trying to cope with them, *poof* they were gone. Either Granny got her wish and miracles happened or it was just a little too sudden for me.

I enjoyed the journey that this family took and loved watching them grow along the way.

Content: some talk of mental issues and the results of not taking meds; talk of an affair, but no details given. CLEAN.

[Dlora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much-beloved Granny Adelaide's dying wish is that her fractured family all gather at her funeral and enjoy a picnic together afterward eating family favorite recipes. The rift occurred when her son Tom left his mentally ill wife and three children to run off with the babysitter and his two youngest babies. Tom Sr. and his divorced wife are deceased but Tom Jr. isn't about to forgive the adultery, suffering, and offense even if it was years ago, and that animosity extends to his younger siblings, his father's second wife, and his half-siblings. Unfortunately, it is his wife Karen from whom Granny extracted a promise to make her plan work. I loved all the recipes Karen tracks down for the picnic and the book is worth just having those! I felt a bit inadequate compared to the paragon that Granny was--can women really touch as meany lives, do as much good, and develop as many skills as she did? I also felt that healing emotional pain and scars that have festered for years and years are not likely to be healed at one funeral. Still, I enjoyed the book and read it quickly.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a gift from a dear friend who said it reminded her of me since I dabbled with a food blog for awhile. I would never have picked it up on my own, but I really enjoyed it.
Disclaimer - I rarely read LDS fiction, because I often find it cheesy and I think I carry around a bias that expects the writing to be sub-par. That said, I found it completely refreshing to be able to read about a family that is so similar to my own. I enjoyed seeing that the way the family dealt with their challenges was so familiar, and that the things that brought them comfort are the same things that provide comfort to me in trying situations. The author successfully pulled at my heart strings and brought me to tears many times. However, it WAS also all those things I fear from LDS fiction. Will I read more LDS fiction? It's a definite possibility ;-) but I'll definitely be thanking my friend for sharing a fun read with me!

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Families, Funerals, and Food...
Can it get any better than that?

Granny Adelaide is dying...
Her last, final wish?
To have a family reunion as part of her funeral.
Including not only the family that was split apart decades earlier, but to also include nostalgic family foods.
And none of those cliche songs.

As Karen and her family put this unusual funeral together hearts will be healed, family secrets will be put to rest and new life will be revealed.

A tender book of feelings, grieving, forgiving, and accepting.
And of course the power of food....
Recipes included at the end of each chapter!
A WONDERFUL read!

BERRY GRAPEFRUIT SALAD recipe from the book is on my blog post
http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blog...

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is well written, has great characters, and makes some good points, but I have ambivalent feelings about it. I'm not crazy about cookbook novels. If I want recipes I'll find a cookbook with pictures. The real problem for me is that I've attended too many funerals in recent years and know too well how painful that period between the death of a loved one and the actual funeral can be. Some of the references to one character's mental illness left me uncomfortable and no one, including her husband and his mother, dealt with her illness or its affect on her children in a responsible manner.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really cute book! I loved the way it's set up with a recipe and then a chapter that includes the family eating, making, or finding the recipe to use for the funeral lunch. I liked the way the whole point of the book was forgiving and moving on, I know that in many families, mine included, there are people that need to forgive, learn to love, and move on happily. I liked the characters, all of them were likable and seemed as though they could be real people in either your family or your ward. I hope that Susan Aylworth is planning to write more books like this!

[Kristi Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book drug on and on - especially when considering the entire book is from the time Granny dies to the funeral. Each chapter is told by a different person so I kept getting confused when they referred to Mom, Granny who they were talking about. Also didn't like that the recipe was at the beginning of the chapter - then you read to see why it was important. I would have done the recipes at the end of the chapter. It was a good book with a good message about mental health and understanding and forgiveness - but didn't capture my attention like other books.

[Estee Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fast read and a charming slice of life story. I liked how the author dealt with the mental illness issues that plague the main characters. She gave a nonjudgemental, loving and hopeful message. The recipes were a nice touch, as the book seems to revolve around the kitchen. The ending was a little predictable, and some of the story lines fizzled or got resolved too easily in my opinion. Overall I liked the book and would recommend it.

[Ivy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would never have picked this up if I had realized it was Mormon fiction...thank you library for covering up the Covenant logo with stickers. It was really preachy, sterotypical and cheesy. There were tons of recipies, some I will try. If I would have had any other book to read this weekend I would have. If you love inspiring, cheesy LDS fiction and family chaos this book is for you. Otherwise reader beware.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed it. Liked the lessons on judging and forgiveness. Will try some of the recipes. But a few things bothered me enough to not give it 4 stars. (for example, wouldn't a college girl who is doing enough research to publish papers as an undergrad, know that she can search the internet for info on depression/mental illness? She sounded surprised that it was the case when her mom told her. Not quite believable.)

As I read, though, it confirmed my desire not to have a funeral.

[Gwen Ruebush · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't get around to doing a lot of book rating, but this was one of the best LDS themed books that I've read and it doesn't seem to be very popular. It was a very realistic story of a family overcoming several struggles together. An easy to read, uplifting, clean novel. As for the recipes included at the beginning of each chapter--I only tried the signature recipe of Zucchini Pie. My husband and I liked it, but we like a little heat in our food. The kids struggled through it.

[Missy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn't like this book at all. I tried but it just drug on and on. The characters were cheesy. The scenarios were too far-fetched. The author tried to wrap up all these family problems in a short week between when grandma died and the funeral. It just wasn't real to me. I didn't care for the way the book was set up and the writing was subpar. I don't think I would have picked this book up except it was for a book club -- and not everyone has to like the book selection, right? :)

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only does this book contain some great recipes, but it also contains a poignant story about a family who has suffered many hurts. As Granny Adelaide is on her deathbed, she gives the family an edict to mend the broken hearts and bridge the gaps that have formed. The task seems daunting, but this family is made of tough stuff.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the style of writing from different perspectives in this book. Sometimes it doesn't work. Here it does. It is also nice that the book takes place in such a short time period. A week. I like the change in the characters so quickly. It is like that in life. Death and the resulting feelings change us quickly. Enjoyable book.

[Cheri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess I should give this book 2.5 stars because I found a recipe I will make again. The story was just too long and dragged. I can't imagine even having all of the recipes in this book at a funeral.

[Tenille · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good, a little more serious than I was expecting. Good story of forgiveness, mental illness, funerals, family and food.

[Elizabeth Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different from a lot of Mormon fiction. I really enjoyed this book.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/86...

[Terrah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't care for the extra descriptive writing style, and it was a tad cheesy, but the story line was interesting enough to make me want to finish.

[Barbara Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going to try a few of the recipes :)

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book about family, mental illness, and forgiveness.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good story. I really liked this book. It is the story of an estranged family who are brought back together by the dying wish of their grandmother.

[Annissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the story idea. I would of preferred the recipes in the back of each chapter instead of the front as it was a little more distracting. Over all a fun read.

[Terrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read dealing with family struggles and forgiveness.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book. Full of yummy sounding recipes which I'd like to try.