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The Secrets of Umami
Edible Sonnets? Digestible Poetry? Whoever heard of such a thing? Jeane Oberon, Intergalactic Chef Hunter, that’s who! And if Jeane doesn’t unravel the secrets of the Esculent Sonnets of Umami first, her dastardly Greelon rival just might… and the Galaxy would be in a real pickle then, wouldn’t it?
- GenresScience Fiction
55 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2021
About the author
D.R. Schoel
9 books9 followersI’m a writer and filmmaker with a Master’s degree in film production. But they say it’s the experience that counts; I’ve worked for nearly twenty years with the Inuit of the Arctic on many, many television programs.
I’ve also worked with Chad McQueen (son of movie icon Steve McQueen) on an un-produced project for Netflix, and wrote a feature film about a Jewish-Arab love story, “Adam’s Wall”, released globally. I’ve presented a short film at Cannes (an autobiographical piece, “The Fantastic Bus”), won a Canadian Screen Award (the equivalent of the Canadian Oscars; is that worth mentioning?) and had a Top-10 documentary at the Toronto International Film Festival, “Sol”, about an Inuit circus performer who died in RCMP custody.
I like to travel, having been all across China —including Xinjiang, where Uyghurs were put into detention camps, and I had to go through police checkpoints sometimes twice a day— to Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, The Dominican Republic, pretty much everywhere in Europe, and the Arctic. Lastly, I’m a life-long fan of Sci-Fi and since I can’t (yet) go into space… I like to daydream about it.
I’ve also worked with Chad McQueen (son of movie icon Steve McQueen) on an un-produced project for Netflix, and wrote a feature film about a Jewish-Arab love story, “Adam’s Wall”, released globally. I’ve presented a short film at Cannes (an autobiographical piece, “The Fantastic Bus”), won a Canadian Screen Award (the equivalent of the Canadian Oscars; is that worth mentioning?) and had a Top-10 documentary at the Toronto International Film Festival, “Sol”, about an Inuit circus performer who died in RCMP custody.
I like to travel, having been all across China —including Xinjiang, where Uyghurs were put into detention camps, and I had to go through police checkpoints sometimes twice a day— to Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, The Dominican Republic, pretty much everywhere in Europe, and the Arctic. Lastly, I’m a life-long fan of Sci-Fi and since I can’t (yet) go into space… I like to daydream about it.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 31, 2022
Notes of Culture and Hitchhiker's Guide with an aftertaste of E.E. Doc Smith and early Asimov, this easy-drinking vintage is a recent addition to the Surrealist Restaurant's expanding wine list. My friendly server recommended it as a pairing with the Global Thermonuclear War special I had ordered as my main course. I was not entirely sure that I concurred with his judgement, but it made for an interesting experience.
March 20, 2021
Following the protagonist, Jeanne, in her perilous descent into an off-world volcano to recover a delicious confection and gain the experience/ clout amid the Galactic Culinary Society, purveyors of synesthetic wonders, was a blast. Well-described locales and well-paced exploration. Cheeky, digestible, and sciency. I was quite impressed by the old-fashioned cover art and retro charm of the tale. High recommended for all s-f aficionados. Light-hearted and futuristic - perfect for an escapist jaunt through imaginative adventures.
February 16, 2021
A first fun little novella in the Galactic Culinary Society series. There will be more!
I scoffed at the unnecessary “scientific” mentions here and there, but on second thought, they are great Wikipedia trailheads—because after just 44 pages, you want something else to read.
I scoffed at the unnecessary “scientific” mentions here and there, but on second thought, they are great Wikipedia trailheads—because after just 44 pages, you want something else to read.
June 6, 2021
Overall, I found Umami hilarious and satisfying. It is a quick read at 44 pages, but in those pages is a tremendous story. The writing style is in the vein of Douglas Adams. It is loaded with unusual names for aliens and ironic prose. I think Schoel has met his goal in what he promises to be a series of such stories involving Jeane Oberon, Galactic Chef Hunter.
The story opens with an epigraph explaining that, despite being human, Jeane Oberon is a top agent for the Galactic Culinary Society (GCS), a body that is sworn to "Preserve and Serve" information on culinary delights from all races throughout the galaxy. Jeane has never failed on a mission before the accounts in this story.
Jeane looks for and finds a memory chip on a crashed ship on Alpha Bootis. The chip contains information on a strange food item that is shrouded in mystery, The Edible Sonnets of Umami. Yes, poetry that is edible. Apparently, one has to partake of the words and the flavors in the verse to appreciate it fully.
At any rate, Jeane finds herself before an assembly of the GCS. She appeals for backing to find and return the secret of how the esculent sonnets are produced and how they work. Some of the GCS say she will be successful as always, others say she is doomed to failure. She is commissioned by the Society to seek the secrets of edible poetry, but if she fails, there will be a price to pay.
She does what it takes to gain access to the single person who can give her the secret, but there is also another being who will go to great lengths to secure the secret for himself. Xstersiisterpeeze, a member of the Greelon race, makes it to the planet Umami before Jeane. The monk who possesses the secret puts them through several challenges promising the secret to the winner of the contests.
As stated in the opening epigraph, Jeane loses. But does she really?
The principal character, Jeane Oberon, is an adventurous young woman whom I would compare to Lara Croft and Indiana Jones. Croft is a strong, intelligent, athletic character while Jones is all of those things, he doesn't seek profit from his adventures. Jeane is always in command of herself, and through that, also in command of situations she finds herself in. She can assess a situation and make an analysis on the spot. There's no backstory offered in this story, but I hope that through future stories, we learn what makes her tick.
Jeane's rival in seeking the secrets of the edible poetry, Xstersiisterpeeze, is unlikable, but is also endearing at the same time. He seeks the secret for sheer profit. Always cautious when he encounters an unfamiliar situation, he holds back, letting Jeane face the danger before plunging ahead to meet challenges.
The owner of the secret of edible poetry, Brother Otin, seems to be a simple monk charged with protecting the mystery, but there's more to him than appears. Jeane figures out what he is doing and ignores it in favor of securing the secret. Xstersiisterpeeze also knows what's going on, but also lets it pass in favor of the immense profit he can make.
It is also worth mentioning the characters in the GCS gathering. Some were rather vocal and played a small part in the opening and closing of the story.
I usually try to identify favorite plot points in a story, but there is no single item I can point out without spoiling a large part of it. I'll just say the entire story is excellent.
My takeaway from this story is not all is what it appears to be. There are many twists and turns in this story creating amusement for me. Brother Otin first appears to be challenging Jeane and Xstersiisterpeeze to several contests, but he is actually reducing the challenge to himself. I'll let you figure that point out yourself.
Another important theme is the inclusion of a strong, highly intelligent female character. Jeane is amazing in her demeanor and is cool under fire. I want to know more about her and look forward to her role in future stories.
The Secrets of Umami may be short on word count, but it is long on intelligence and imagination. It is also long on humor and there were many times I laughed out loud. If you are looking for a break from serious Sci-Fi and wanting something quick and light, this is the book for you. Having a bad day? Umami will make you smile, and for that alone, I highly recommend it.
The story opens with an epigraph explaining that, despite being human, Jeane Oberon is a top agent for the Galactic Culinary Society (GCS), a body that is sworn to "Preserve and Serve" information on culinary delights from all races throughout the galaxy. Jeane has never failed on a mission before the accounts in this story.
Jeane looks for and finds a memory chip on a crashed ship on Alpha Bootis. The chip contains information on a strange food item that is shrouded in mystery, The Edible Sonnets of Umami. Yes, poetry that is edible. Apparently, one has to partake of the words and the flavors in the verse to appreciate it fully.
At any rate, Jeane finds herself before an assembly of the GCS. She appeals for backing to find and return the secret of how the esculent sonnets are produced and how they work. Some of the GCS say she will be successful as always, others say she is doomed to failure. She is commissioned by the Society to seek the secrets of edible poetry, but if she fails, there will be a price to pay.
She does what it takes to gain access to the single person who can give her the secret, but there is also another being who will go to great lengths to secure the secret for himself. Xstersiisterpeeze, a member of the Greelon race, makes it to the planet Umami before Jeane. The monk who possesses the secret puts them through several challenges promising the secret to the winner of the contests.
As stated in the opening epigraph, Jeane loses. But does she really?
The principal character, Jeane Oberon, is an adventurous young woman whom I would compare to Lara Croft and Indiana Jones. Croft is a strong, intelligent, athletic character while Jones is all of those things, he doesn't seek profit from his adventures. Jeane is always in command of herself, and through that, also in command of situations she finds herself in. She can assess a situation and make an analysis on the spot. There's no backstory offered in this story, but I hope that through future stories, we learn what makes her tick.
Jeane's rival in seeking the secrets of the edible poetry, Xstersiisterpeeze, is unlikable, but is also endearing at the same time. He seeks the secret for sheer profit. Always cautious when he encounters an unfamiliar situation, he holds back, letting Jeane face the danger before plunging ahead to meet challenges.
The owner of the secret of edible poetry, Brother Otin, seems to be a simple monk charged with protecting the mystery, but there's more to him than appears. Jeane figures out what he is doing and ignores it in favor of securing the secret. Xstersiisterpeeze also knows what's going on, but also lets it pass in favor of the immense profit he can make.
It is also worth mentioning the characters in the GCS gathering. Some were rather vocal and played a small part in the opening and closing of the story.
I usually try to identify favorite plot points in a story, but there is no single item I can point out without spoiling a large part of it. I'll just say the entire story is excellent.
My takeaway from this story is not all is what it appears to be. There are many twists and turns in this story creating amusement for me. Brother Otin first appears to be challenging Jeane and Xstersiisterpeeze to several contests, but he is actually reducing the challenge to himself. I'll let you figure that point out yourself.
Another important theme is the inclusion of a strong, highly intelligent female character. Jeane is amazing in her demeanor and is cool under fire. I want to know more about her and look forward to her role in future stories.
The Secrets of Umami may be short on word count, but it is long on intelligence and imagination. It is also long on humor and there were many times I laughed out loud. If you are looking for a break from serious Sci-Fi and wanting something quick and light, this is the book for you. Having a bad day? Umami will make you smile, and for that alone, I highly recommend it.
May 28, 2021
Smart and offbeat space opera that was a great reading experience!
This story was a joy from start and finish. I felt eager to turn every single page and was unable to stop until it was over. With the mix of fun and fresh ideas used to create a resulting original space opera.
Each scene that makes up this story gave me a sense of the fun and completely off the wall idea that can become a fresh and smart scifi or Space Opera experience.
The book starts with a great introduction to the two main characters, two different species, but clearly smart personalities, meeting each other while on the hunt for some record of the secret knowledge that til now was assumed to have died with the fascinating culture previously guarding and keeping alive.
The main character being a part of a larger, and distinguished group of intelligences, and multiple intelligent species, watching and guiding the uplifting of the culinary experience makes sense in the setting, and to me, felt like a genious idea for space opera.
I loved the exchanges and dialogue as the two characters seek to be the first to obtain the info that would allow them to bring the most pleasurable, satisfying and world shattering eating experience to the bigger galactic stage, although intentions between the two differ.
Striving for honesty in my reviews, I will offer my total inaccurate understanding of what Umami was. I really thought Umami was a type of seafood, like sushi, or maybe squid. So when I started the book, to learn what it really means changed my entire outlook, or non realized, semi conscious expectations.
Although the title gives a tongue in cheek, or Douglas Adams vibe, I feel like I would relate this more along the lines of an Iain M. Banks kind of style and look forward to the coming chapters in the Galactic Culinary Society series on the horizon.
This story was a joy from start and finish. I felt eager to turn every single page and was unable to stop until it was over. With the mix of fun and fresh ideas used to create a resulting original space opera.
Each scene that makes up this story gave me a sense of the fun and completely off the wall idea that can become a fresh and smart scifi or Space Opera experience.
The book starts with a great introduction to the two main characters, two different species, but clearly smart personalities, meeting each other while on the hunt for some record of the secret knowledge that til now was assumed to have died with the fascinating culture previously guarding and keeping alive.
The main character being a part of a larger, and distinguished group of intelligences, and multiple intelligent species, watching and guiding the uplifting of the culinary experience makes sense in the setting, and to me, felt like a genious idea for space opera.
I loved the exchanges and dialogue as the two characters seek to be the first to obtain the info that would allow them to bring the most pleasurable, satisfying and world shattering eating experience to the bigger galactic stage, although intentions between the two differ.
Striving for honesty in my reviews, I will offer my total inaccurate understanding of what Umami was. I really thought Umami was a type of seafood, like sushi, or maybe squid. So when I started the book, to learn what it really means changed my entire outlook, or non realized, semi conscious expectations.
Although the title gives a tongue in cheek, or Douglas Adams vibe, I feel like I would relate this more along the lines of an Iain M. Banks kind of style and look forward to the coming chapters in the Galactic Culinary Society series on the horizon.
June 17, 2024
Great Scifi Read
I loved the worldbuilding in this book. Jeane Oberon's point of views and the Glactic Culinary Society are great lenses in which to see the aliens, different species, and the culture of Schoel's worldbuilding. I would say this one was an easy 4.5 out of 5 for me. I would have just liked to see some parts expanded upon because it was such an interesting story.
I loved the worldbuilding in this book. Jeane Oberon's point of views and the Glactic Culinary Society are great lenses in which to see the aliens, different species, and the culture of Schoel's worldbuilding. I would say this one was an easy 4.5 out of 5 for me. I would have just liked to see some parts expanded upon because it was such an interesting story.
February 20, 2022
A light, fluffy and mostly enjoyable read. I think it would have been slightly better with a little bit less froth and more substance. Still, a good book to while awile an hour or so with.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2022
Wake up
I enjoyed this novelette. But why make it so can hard to find the next book author name missing at the end. Search on Amazon doesn't find . Annoying
I enjoyed this novelette. But why make it so can hard to find the next book author name missing at the end. Search on Amazon doesn't find . Annoying
December 12, 2021
A taste of bliss
Quirky, strange and fun. Jeane Oberon’s adventures whisk us along effortlessly on a galactic culinary adventure unlike any we could ever find on The Food Network or in conventional sci-fi novels. Unexpected and refreshing.
Quirky, strange and fun. Jeane Oberon’s adventures whisk us along effortlessly on a galactic culinary adventure unlike any we could ever find on The Food Network or in conventional sci-fi novels. Unexpected and refreshing.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews