Morso dopo morso (terra)

by Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Federica Principi (Translator), Fumi Mini Nakamura (Illustrator)

Il cibo è non solo fisico, ma anche emotivo, spirituale. Grazie al cibo possiamo riflettere sulla nostra storia personale, sulle connessioni che intercorrono tra noi e i nostri familiari, i nostri amici, e riscoprire le meraviglie del mondo naturale – che Aimee Nezhukumatathil conosce così bene. Dopo il successo di Un mondo di meraviglie, la poetessa volge il suo sguardo a una vasta gamma di cibi, da frutti esotici come il rambutan e il mango a piatti tradizionali come il lumpia e il risotto, fino ad arrivare a ingredienti semplici presenti in qualunque dispensa, quali la cipolla e il burro. Ciascuno è un portale per esplorare temi più il passato doloroso che ha segnato il viaggio attraverso il mondo di prodotti bramati dall'Occidente, e il presente in un'America che ama sempre meno i suoi cittadini di pelle scura – i mischia-mischia, come si autodefinisce Nezhukumatathil paragonandosi al prelibato dessert tropicale halo-halo.
Morso dopo morso è un ricco diorama sul mondo del cibo e della natura, un invito alla lentezza e all'apprezzamento dei piccoli piaceri della vita, perché "la cucina è un fatto di reazioni chimiche, una trasformazione da crudo a cotto, da ingrediente a piatto. È la trasformazione stessa, e non solo il prodotto finale, a recare bellezza. Dal seme alla pianta, dal bocciolo al frutto, da bambino a adulto".

Genres: Nonfiction, Food, Essays, Memoir, Poetry, Audiobook, Short Stories

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 7, 2024

About the author

author of WORLD OF WONDERS: IN PRAISE OF FIREFLIES, WHALE SHARKS, AND OTHER ASTONISHMENTS (Milkweed 2020), and four collections of poetry, most recently, OCEANIC (Copper Canyon, 2018). Professor of English and Glitter, University of Mississippi.

Reviews

[Catherine (alternativelytitledbooks) - still catching up! · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Ecco, and Aimee Nezhukumatathil for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 4.30!!**

Exquisite, sumptuous, full of life, and BURSTING with flavor!

Aimee Nezhukumatathil's latest treasure trove of essays will give you a taste of some of the best and most unique foods our planet has to offer...AND will also give you insight, heart, and a peek into not only her whirlwind (and sometimes global!) adventures, but also the intrinsic joy that can be found in the minutiae of everyday life. Each essay in the collection focuses on a different food, from some that I already knew and loved prior to reading (Mint, Strawberry, Concord Grape, and a personal favorite, Gyro) to those that may be as unfamiliar to you as they were to me (Mangosteen, Jackfruit, Miracle Fruit and Kaong). Each journey is emboldened by carefully chosen research and the 'history' of the food being explored, but ALSO cleverly takes you on a tour of a time period in Aimee's life, past or present, connecting the dots effortlessly throughout. You will lose yourself not only in the imagining of the taste, smell, and texture of each food being discussed (if you choose to go at this on an empty stomach, you do so at your own peril!😱) but also in the magnificent storytelling of a beautiful and humble life well-lived, the bonds of a loving family, and the nostalgia of a fascinating past.

Though Nezhukumatathil has published several books, she is perhaps best known for World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments, which catapulted her firmly into the national spotlight when Barnes and Noble chose it as their Book of the Year in 2020 (no small feat!) Though this is an incredible accomplishment in and of itself, I actually must admit that I JUMPED at the opportunity to read and review a copy of this book for an entirely DIFFERENT reason: I had the privilege and honor of actually being Aimee's STUDENT (as well as a student in her intelligent, kind, fellow creative writing professor husband, Dustin Parsons) back when I was studying English at SUNY Fredonia...and let's just say I never considered an MFA in Creative Writing MORE intently than when I was a member of her Creative Writing Class (and Professor Parsons, too...I realize now I was INCREDIBLY lucky!)

So to get a chance to dive more deeply into her mind, life, and of course, to enjoy the gorgeous, effortless writing of this beloved figure from my college years was MORE than a pleasure: I was EXUBERANT. From hearing about Aimee's teen years and insecurities, to her family life, to the origins of her beautiful love story with ANOTHER beloved professor, this book felt like having a very honest, authentic, and ENTHRALLING conversation with the sort of fascinating, intelligent soul you never want to stop talking, and I feel so much better for it. Though she and Dustin have settled in (quite happily) at another university since my graduation in 2009, it was both shocking and saddening to hear some of the hardships she faced among fellow faculty in the small (somewhat rural) town and the judgment that made this such a difficult time in her life. Reading these words, I almost felt like I was reading Aimee's diaries, and at times I wanted nothing more than to reach through the pages and give her a hug!

Despite any and all personal hardships, Aimee Nezhukumatathil (or Aimee Nez, as she always told her students to call her) embodies a certain joie de vivre: her exploration, fascination, and passion for the earth and all of its magnificent inhabitants, from plants to animals to bugs - you name it! - always imbues her writing with the sort of excitement you'd see from a scientist making an earth shattering discovery - each essay, each page, each WORD feels like a revelation. And if you feel inspired and ambitious enough, there are even some FANTASTIC writing prompts at the end of the book just to get your creative juices flowing! 📝

When you have a meal that is just SO good it takes your breath away, you might stop, breathe deeply, close your eyes, and try to savor the moment, so it can live on in your memory forever.

Such is Bite by Bite: Nourishments and Jamborees; but be warned that with food THIS good...by the time these 200 pages of food, flavor, and fun are over...you'll ALREADY be ravenous for more! 🍴

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aimee Nezhukumatathil’s World of Wonders is a stunning book, both in writing and illustrations. It’s just gorgeous, and I often admire it on my shelves. I was super thrilled to win a giveaway of an ARC of her latest group of essays, Bite by Bite; Nourishments and Jamborees. What a treat to have the full color illustrations by Fumi Nakamura included in the ARC. I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed the reading experience. Outstanding.

About the book: “From the New York Times bestselling author of World of Wonders, a lyrical book of short essays about food, offering a banquet of tastes, smells, memories, associations, and marvelous curiosities from nature
In Bite by Bite, poet and essayist Aimee Nezhukumatathil explores the way food and drink evoke our associations and remembrances—a subtext or layering, a flavor tinged with joy, shame, exuberance, grief, desire, or nostalgia.”

When I was in college, I double majored in anthropology, and a friend recommended I take an Anth class called Food and Culture. “It’s amazing,” she said. “You get to eat the best food, learn about new cultures, and write about it all.” She was right. Our assignments included visiting local restaurants and also local families, all of cultures different than my own, expanding my palate, and most importantly, learning how family, food, and culture are intertwined. Bite by Bite reminded me a little of that experience but is so much more.

So far, I’ve learned about paw paw (and wished my dad were here to talk with me about it; surely he had paw paw, even if I have not), mangos, rambutan, lumpia, and how Aimee’s life and family traditions have been shaped by these foods. It’s fascinating to learn about the history of the food, intermixed with Aimee’s observations and anecdotes. The essays are relatively brief, and I’ve decided to read one each week alongside my other yearlong reading book, The Comfort of Crows. I’m hoping I’ll plan some tastings with these yummy foods along the way, as well. Highly recommended for fans of gorgeous prose, and anyone interested in discussions of food and culture.

I received a gifted copy.

Many of my reviews can be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book of essays and poems I've read by Aimee Nezhukumatathil: this time it is centered around various foods, their origins, usage and qualities. It is also a memoir with many personal stories about her and her family's experiences with different foods, their family meal traditions, etc. All in all, it is a charming read with lovely illustrations and would make a very special gift for a dear mother or friend.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this book via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

[kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nezhukumatahil explores 40 different foods as they relate to her life in small vignettes. These “bites” of writing are easily digestible and will transport you from New York to India to the Philippines. The writing is simple, easy to follow, and a joy to read.

[Haley Stricker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I would love this book more than I did and I can’t put my finger on why. It felt part-memoir, part-poetry, part-history lesson on food, but never fully any of those things. I wanted more and less at the same time. Giving it a 3.5 nonetheless, because I’d rather read about food than most anything else.

[Debbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bite by Bite is like a buffet of beautiful appetizers. Each short essay combines memoir and a delightful history surrounding food. The author's warmth, her love of family and the natural world comes through in each piece.In the essay about coconut the author tells us that male monkeys can pick 1600 coconuts in a day, female monkeys can pick 600 and a human can pick around 70. There is a training school for monkeys to perfect this task (humanely run of course). I loved having this tiny piece of information.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I found myself hungry for longer pieces, more depth and variety of experience. This is a perfect for a gift for special occasions, for food lovers or those who just like to like to drift off with a short, sweet essay at the end of the day.

Many thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am lucky enough to have been one of Aimee Nezhukumatahil's students when I was in college. I can attest that she is just as warm and bright in real life as she is in her writing. It has been such a pleasure reading all of her works, but I would have to say Bite by Bite is my favorite of hers so far.

I loved that each essay focused on a different food in her life that brought to mind a special memory or a connection to a place and the people there with her. Each essay is bite-sized and enjoyable to read in any spare moment you have, or at any part of the day where you might be open to a bit more reflection.

I have personally come to love writing about food because it always brings a sense of comfort and home. If you are looking for something quiet and relatable, you should read not only this book but Nezhukumatahil's other works as well.

[Romane · Rating 4 out of 5]

bite by bite is a collection of lyrical and mouthwatering essays on food and Nezhukumatathil’s memories, to which every fruit, vegetable, scent and flavor is associated.

It's an explosion of colors and scents to discover. we travel from one memory to another, from vignettes to vignettes from the past that we share with her. I warn you, you'll be salivating with envy at such stimulation of the senses.

i loved this social and historical exploration and reflection on food, which occupies such a large place in our daily lives, and whose interest is, in my humble opinion, to be shared! what could be better than sharing dinner with friends, a romantic picnic or a sunday meal with the family? i honestly discovered fruits i'd never heard of, all of which look tastier, juicier and more satisfying.

I highly recommend this delicious, gourmet book!

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a huge fan of Aimee since hearing her (virtually) speak to my english class in 2020. I loved World of Wonders last year, but I have to say, I loved this one even more. Bite by Bite is full of delight after delight: a book you can savor in bite-size essays, or read over the course of a long summer afternoon. I originally planned to take my time with this collection, but I found myself not wanting to put this book down. Aimee, like so many poets, has such a way with language that her prose feel light and refreshing. These essays, speaking on both Aimee's life and delightful fruits, vegetables, desserts, and more tell the story of how important food is to not just our bodies, but to our lives and spirits. I found so much joy in this collection--but beware, you'll definitely be craving some delicious fruit by the end!

[Kelsey Croft · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to badly to *love* this book and I simply did not. In the authors defense, I set my expectations so high. I was ready to be MOVED. I was prepared for a love child of John Greens “The Anthropocene Reviewed” and Samin Nosrats “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” — it was not that.

I feel generally unaffected and underwhelmed. Some of the chapters were sweet (tomatoes, jackfruit, risotto), but most I found kind of disjointed, clunky, and cold. At times even boring.

They’re not really poems, they’re not really essays, they’re not all fact based but they’re not all personal. And yet each chapter is all of these things. And some chapters left me wondering what the heck I just read.

I think the real problem is that my ocd little noggin can’t handle the blurry, undefined parameters of this work. I crave structure. BUT! I learned some stuff! And that’s always the goal.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining book about food history told from a Filipino American perspective. While I was hoping for a bit more personal insights/stories, the book was still full of interesting facts about different types of food and where they came from. Recommended for fans of authors like Ruth Reichl and good on audio.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mmmm this was bad. I do not recommend. This is basically a coffee table book.

[Kurt Neumaier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delicious!

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

love her and her mind <3

[Julianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

i devoured this book

[Emily Orvos · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful love letter to food 🥹 a great mix of memoir, fun facts, history, community, and culture of food!!

[Pj · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really love Aimee’s writing. Her essays are informative and heartfelt without being heavy handed. I hope she continues writing in this style , I’ll read whatever she releases

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Bite by Bite" is such a celebration of the simple pleasures in life. In this short and uniquely structured book, author and poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil shares her pure love for all things edible and her personal connection to different foods and ingredients over the course of her life.

Each chapter centers on a singular food item or dish, from the humble potato to the more exotic mangosteen and jackfruit, and also includes creations like halo halo and lumpia - foods that were prominent in Nezhukumatathil's life growing up with a Filipino mother and an Indian father. I was fascinated by the sheer amount of historical background included, details on the entomology, and even a healthy sprinkle of mythology and folklore as well. The focus, however, is placed on the personal connection to each ingredient or creation, and I loved how the author brought us to the dinner tables of her childhood, the trips to India to visit her extended family, the bittersweet moments of watching her children grow older, and her own journey as a writer in New York. While some of the memories are specific, I could easily to connect to those moments; who hasn't been embarrassed as a child of bringing a "strange" food to school in fear of being teased? Or missed a specific dish that a parent made for us growing up that we still fail to recreate on our own, despite numerous attempts? Or connected with friends and loved ones over shared meals and foods?

This book was such a joy to read, and should be savored passage by passage. So excited for others to read when "Bite by Bite" is published April 30th!

Thank you Ecco Publishing for the advance copy of this novel!

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aimee Nezhukumatathil shares the foods of her life, food by food, bite by bite, and, in the process, tells the stories of her life.

Some of the foods are exotic to m and I've never seen these: Pawpaw, lumpia, bangus, lychee, jackfruit, mangosteen, kaong, gyro, leche flan, halo-halo.

Some of the foods are foods I have heard of, but I've never cooked or baked with: Mango, mint, crawfish, gyro.

Some of the foods are foods I have cooked with once: Risotto.

Some of the foods are foods I use often: Rice, pineapple, cinnamon, blackberry, figs, vanilla, black pepper, apples, bing cherry, Concord grape, maple syrup, butter, waffles, sugarcane,
coconut.

Some of the foods are so familiar to me that I actually grow them in my yard and cook with them all the time: Tomato, onion, watermelon, pecan, potato.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I enjoyed learning some random food facts, this book fell short for me in so many ways. It was self-conscious in style and you could see the effort she put behind every sentence, every image, every metaphor. It was disjointed and pompous. I still don’t understand what apples have to do with school shooters. And I hated her narration (since I listened to the audio version).

[Jessica Min · Rating 4 out of 5]

A STRONG 4, 4.6

A rich medley of memories, moments, textures, flavours, joys and sorrows of life and society. I truly felt encased in layered flavours and memories of the author, and as someone who doesn’t have a strong familial / cultural connection to food, it really inspired and helped me understand the links people have to food, and culture through food.

[maddie marko · Rating 5 out of 5]

delight after delight after delight <3 savored this one and drew little hearts on like. all of the pages.
“you make something new with what you have. you take the extra bit of time. it doesn’t always turn out how you think it should. you make it anyway” (198).

[Jamie Newman · Rating 2 out of 5]

0 star for writing: Some beautiful sentences, but sadly, this felt very disjointed. I was bummed because I adored her first one. I ended up sort of scanning through the end.
.5 star for research quality
1 star for premise
0 star for impact
0 star for personal taste

[Elena L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

[4.5/5 stars]

BITE BY BITE by Aimee Nezhukumatathil is a collection of essays about food. Being the daughter of an Indian father and Filipino mother, Nezhukumatathil draws inspiration from Philippine and Indian cuisines - from food's origin to source of inspiration to its own culture, food is a portal to connection and familiarity; food is the heart of ceremonies and festivals; food is the foundation of relationships and brings people together; food is simply a feast of care.

Opening each chapter with a different food with its signature taste and stunning illustration, it evokes sensorial memories, leading one to intimate moments that only a comfort food can offer. This book is a self-portrait of nostalgia while one witnesses the author's life experiences; of appreciation of small joys. Often lighthearted, the talks about heritage, identity, family, culture and race imprint the pages with a dash of seriousness. This book was a personal reminder to be more intentional with the loved ones, as well as to slow down and get rest.

The author's careful observations, blending culinary art, sparked my deepest curiosity. It was utterly interesting to discover new food (pawpaw, kaong,...) and the way food impacts different civilizations and centuries (who would expect to find a whole galaxy of information about the pollinization of vanilla orchids?). These brief essays contain textured vignettes, the association between food and personal reflections flavors the words with comforting and relatable tone.
My fault for reading this book with empty stomach and I was constantly craving the food (lol). While it is common for one essay to be stronger than the other, I enjoyed all the essays in unique ways.

With compassionate writing, BITE BY BITE is a highly engaging, informative and delightful read. For those who enjoy a good food writing or any food lover, I highly recommend this book.

[ I received an ARC from the publisher - Ecco books . All opinions are my own ]

[Jewel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful, heart-warming little book this is! I read Ms. Nezhukumatahil's book, World of Wonders, and enjoyed her writing style and her beautiful descriptions of different forms of wildlife so much. So, when I saw she had written this book, I was excited to read something else by this author. You might not think that a book of short essays, each about a different food, could keep your attention the whole way through, but you would be wrong. Ms. Nezukumatathil's writing is such a treat. You can almost taste each of the delicious foods that she describes, even if you have never tried them or even heard of them. I love how she weaves folklore, history, and her own personal experiences into each story. This book encourages you to enjoy life and your loved ones to the fullest each and every day. Seeing the world through Ms. Nehukumatathils' eyes is a beautiful thing. She tells the truth about the world, including some things in our history that are not so rosy, but she still makes you believe in the basic goodness of life and mankind. And yummy food.

I received this book as an advance edition from the publisher for review, and I am so thankful for the opportunity.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of food and Ross Gay's writings, this book is an absolute must-read. Nezhukumatathil's heartfelt words in bite-sized essays often felt like an embrace. I absolutely love her poetry, and it was wonderful to see that poetic side shine in this collection as she reflected on the way we form connections through food. (Also, if that isn't the most Asian thing to do, I don't know what is, haha.)

[Trey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of quick essays about the way food influences memories. The writing is gorgeous and sometimes poetic.

These essays are about the way we associate different things and moments with foods and the way they invoke nostalgia. We get bits of history of each food mixed with the authors memories of it. It was interesting seeing the way the author relates foods to her memories and it made me reflect back to see how I attach different foods to moments in my life.

Highly recommend. This is a great collection!

[tillie hellman · Rating 4 out of 5]

for some reason i thought this book was about a completely different thing lmao (or i guess a different type of book in general). once i got over that i started to enjoy it more. also rlly enjoyed the discussion of mixed race stuff, very me coded. she’s half philippina and half indian, and her kids are a quarter those and half white, so almost me coded. anyways, cool to hear about an author being successful too!

[Alessa]

Gorgeous illustrations and writing. Really enjoyed this collection of short essays that use different foods as a catalyst for snapshots into the author’s life. Even learned about a fruit I did not know existed - kaong!

[Trish (readtmc) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Another lovely collection from Aimee Nezhukumatathil that I savored (food pun intended). I love the idea of connecting food with a personal memory plus tidibits of trivia along the way. I couldn’t help but think about my own experiences with the food she writes about: the mangoes of my parents’ youth, the gyros my dad brought home after work. The act of remembering, at this particular time in my life, comes with longing and heartache, but it’s also comforting.

The short essays and the occasional stretch in the connection she tries to make may leave some readers unsatisfied, but it worked for me.