What do you think?
Rate this book
Babylon Café #2
Woda różana i chleb na sodzie
More than a year has passed since Marjan, Bahar, and Layla, the beautiful Iranian Aminpour sisters, sought refuge in the quaint Irish town of Ballinacroagh. Opening the beguiling Babylon Café, they charmed the locals with their warm hearts and delectable Persian cuisine, bringing a saffron-scented spice to the once-sleepy village.
But when a young woman with a dark secret literally washes up on Clew Bay Beach, the sisters’ world is once again turned upside down. With pale skin and webbed hands, the girl is otherworldly, but her wounds tell a more earthly (and graver) story–one that sends the strict Catholic town into an uproar. The Aminpours rally around the newcomer, but each sister must also contend with her own transformation–Marjan tests her feelings for love with a dashing writer, Bahar takes on a new spiritual commitment with the help of Father Mahoney, and Layla matures into a young woman when she and her boyfriend, Malachy, step up their hot and heavy relationship.
Filled with mouthwatering recipes and enchanting details of life in Ireland, Rosewater and Soda Bread is infused with a lyrical warmth that radiates from the Aminpour family and their big-hearted Italian landlady, Estelle, to the whole of Ballinacroagh–and the world beyond.
But when a young woman with a dark secret literally washes up on Clew Bay Beach, the sisters’ world is once again turned upside down. With pale skin and webbed hands, the girl is otherworldly, but her wounds tell a more earthly (and graver) story–one that sends the strict Catholic town into an uproar. The Aminpours rally around the newcomer, but each sister must also contend with her own transformation–Marjan tests her feelings for love with a dashing writer, Bahar takes on a new spiritual commitment with the help of Father Mahoney, and Layla matures into a young woman when she and her boyfriend, Malachy, step up their hot and heavy relationship.
Filled with mouthwatering recipes and enchanting details of life in Ireland, Rosewater and Soda Bread is infused with a lyrical warmth that radiates from the Aminpour family and their big-hearted Italian landlady, Estelle, to the whole of Ballinacroagh–and the world beyond.
288 pages, Paperback
First published May 13, 2008
45 people are currently reading
1344 people want to read
About the author
Marsha Mehran
9 books111 followersMarsha Mehran escaped the upheaval of the Iranian revolution with her family. She grew up in the United States, Australia and Argentina, where her parents operated a Middle Eastern café. She lived in both Brooklyn and Ireland.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
June 4, 2009
When we were in first grade, my sister wrote a book about the sunflower and the very mean lady. The very mean lady kept trying to get rid of the sunflower, and the book ended with "And the sunflower did something to her..." This book reminds me a lot of my sisters book. Not because Marsha Mehran is my sister or six years old, but the book was filled with all kinds of starts but no ends. Layla wants to have sex... Something happened to Marjan in the detention center... The old biddies across the road are going to put an end to the restaurant once they go pee and eat more biscuits... Bahar used to be married... It's just tedious after awhile.
I wanted to like this book, the story of sisters and food, yes please! I thought it would be something similar to Like Water for Chocolate and was totally disappointed. The mentions of food are more "the soup smelled good!" and less deep emotional experiences.
And hello stereotypes! Estelle the Italian widow "oh, me and Luigi, he maka tha pasta!" The Catholic ladies across the street, all spinsters, all mean and nasty meddling types. Oh, but the Iranian sisters, they are dark! mysterious! sexual! The Irish girl, you guessed it - red hair and pale skin!
The only thing I found good about the book was the many Rumi quotes.
I wanted to like this book, the story of sisters and food, yes please! I thought it would be something similar to Like Water for Chocolate and was totally disappointed. The mentions of food are more "the soup smelled good!" and less deep emotional experiences.
And hello stereotypes! Estelle the Italian widow "oh, me and Luigi, he maka tha pasta!" The Catholic ladies across the street, all spinsters, all mean and nasty meddling types. Oh, but the Iranian sisters, they are dark! mysterious! sexual! The Irish girl, you guessed it - red hair and pale skin!
The only thing I found good about the book was the many Rumi quotes.
July 11, 2008
Mehran paints lovely word-pictures of places and foods, and she puts together a compelling cast of characters, but the story left this reader hungry for more depth. A good weekend or rainy day read. Goes well with tea.
November 11, 2009
Maeve Binchy has a natural ear for "quaint" Irish characters. Understandably Mehran does not--and it shows.
Nor does she have an ear for Italian nonna types--Estelle feels more like a yenta from my Bronx neighborhood who wandered briefly into an ashram or something. And she's cloyingly precious.
The love scene with Our Heroine and Our Hero (who is pretty 2 dimensional) on the castle terrace has dialogue worthy of a cheap Harlequin paperback. Or perhaps Ms Mehran read "Twilight".
Lots of gratuitous characters and too many storylines. Most of the storylines either are left hanging (for a sequel) or are resolved all at once near the end.
Adequate entertainment. Interesting idea for a plot. But very unevenly written.
Nor does she have an ear for Italian nonna types--Estelle feels more like a yenta from my Bronx neighborhood who wandered briefly into an ashram or something. And she's cloyingly precious.
The love scene with Our Heroine and Our Hero (who is pretty 2 dimensional) on the castle terrace has dialogue worthy of a cheap Harlequin paperback. Or perhaps Ms Mehran read "Twilight".
Lots of gratuitous characters and too many storylines. Most of the storylines either are left hanging (for a sequel) or are resolved all at once near the end.
Adequate entertainment. Interesting idea for a plot. But very unevenly written.
October 28, 2008
Rose Water and Soda Bread by Marsha Mehran is a novel about three Iranian sisters who own a café in Ireland. Their lives are changed when a mysterious “mermaid” girl with a dark secret washes up on the beach. They have trouble fitting in their strict Catholic town, but the three sisters bring excitement to their sleepy little village. This story is similar to the authors own life. Marsha Mehran was born in Tehran and she escaped the Iranian revolution to live in the US, Argentina, and Australia where her parents owned a Middle Eastern café. She now lives in the US and Ireland. This is her first book.
I found the setting of this book to be the most interesting. The setting of a small village on the coast of Ireland was uncommon and striking. The characterization was also interesting. Each of the characters had their own distinct personality. I also liked the way the novel was written with alternating points of view.
One weakness that I found in the novel was that the plot moved along too slowly. The author could have cut out some of the scenes with Mrs.Quigley (the gossiping old lady) and her friends. I also would’ve liked to know more about Layla, the youngest sister. Instead, most of the novel focused on the eldest sister Margaret. Additionally, some of the story lines seemed to end unresolved. For example, the sisters figure out that the girl they found on the beach ran away from her home, they find her father, she returns back home, then the storyline just forgets about her. Even though I liked the alternating points of view, the multiple storylines with multiple points of view made the novel a little hard to follow.
Overall, this novel was fairly enjoyable despite its weaknesses. Anyone who likes cross-cultural stories would enjoy this book.
I found the setting of this book to be the most interesting. The setting of a small village on the coast of Ireland was uncommon and striking. The characterization was also interesting. Each of the characters had their own distinct personality. I also liked the way the novel was written with alternating points of view.
One weakness that I found in the novel was that the plot moved along too slowly. The author could have cut out some of the scenes with Mrs.Quigley (the gossiping old lady) and her friends. I also would’ve liked to know more about Layla, the youngest sister. Instead, most of the novel focused on the eldest sister Margaret. Additionally, some of the story lines seemed to end unresolved. For example, the sisters figure out that the girl they found on the beach ran away from her home, they find her father, she returns back home, then the storyline just forgets about her. Even though I liked the alternating points of view, the multiple storylines with multiple points of view made the novel a little hard to follow.
Overall, this novel was fairly enjoyable despite its weaknesses. Anyone who likes cross-cultural stories would enjoy this book.
January 8, 2009
Three Iranian sister living in Ireland and eking out a living running a Persian cafe is interesting enough. But throw in a meddling neighbor, a deejay priest, an unconscious pregnant girl, a handsome young man returning to his Irish roots, secrets galore and you have an entertaining story!
I had not read Mehran's first story of the Aminpour sisters (Pomegranate Soup) but I didn't feel lost. It has been nearly ten years since the girls escaped Tehran in '78 and fled to London. They have made their way to Ballinacroagh where they are warmly regarded by most of the village. I recommend this to anyone who loves food, recipes, Ireland, other cultures, or light romance.
I had not read Mehran's first story of the Aminpour sisters (Pomegranate Soup) but I didn't feel lost. It has been nearly ten years since the girls escaped Tehran in '78 and fled to London. They have made their way to Ballinacroagh where they are warmly regarded by most of the village. I recommend this to anyone who loves food, recipes, Ireland, other cultures, or light romance.
January 9, 2024
Deuxième tome un peu plus sympathique à lire que le premier ; l'auteure a viré vers un registre un peu plus fantastique, dans le folklore irlandais. Cependant : une écriture toujours aussi simple, des longs passages dignes des plus grandes fanfictions et des intrigues totalement bâclées. des personnages sont presque totalement oubliés : pas de point de vue de Layla, par exemple. La seule chose qui l'intéresse dans ce tome ? Avoir des relations sexuelles avec son copain. C'est tout ce qui concerne son développement.
Les moments les plus agréables étaient les passages dans le café (café où on ne sert pas de café d'ailleurs, mais du thé et des plats, ce qui en fait un restaurant ou un salon de thé...) avec les descriptions des plats. Par contre, les recettes ne sont plus intégrées au fil de la lecture cette fois mais sont réunies à la fin du livre, c'est dommage.
Je ne recommande pas cette lecture :(
Les moments les plus agréables étaient les passages dans le café (café où on ne sert pas de café d'ailleurs, mais du thé et des plats, ce qui en fait un restaurant ou un salon de thé...) avec les descriptions des plats. Par contre, les recettes ne sont plus intégrées au fil de la lecture cette fois mais sont réunies à la fin du livre, c'est dommage.
Je ne recommande pas cette lecture :(
November 10, 2024
DNF au deux tiers.
J’ai tellement aimé le premier mais cet opus est brouillon, pleins de directions qui ne mènent nulle part mais surtout l’histoire donne trop de place à l’extrémisme religieux… Ce tome a perdu toute trace de poésie et de chaleur du 1er.
J’ai tellement aimé le premier mais cet opus est brouillon, pleins de directions qui ne mènent nulle part mais surtout l’histoire donne trop de place à l’extrémisme religieux… Ce tome a perdu toute trace de poésie et de chaleur du 1er.
July 19, 2025
2.75 ⭐️
November 29, 2020
"A woman isn't something to be used for as long as she has flavor, then tossed aside when your taste for her is gone. There's got to be some promise, some agreement that you'll be around."
"With the blanket pulled up all the way to her chest, and the silence that still pervaded her every breath, she could definitely have been mistaken for a Victorian heroine; the Lily Maid, thought Marjan, on her way out of Camelot's reign.
Tennyson's poem had been a favorite of Marjan's when she was younger; she had learned it in high school in Tehran, during a particularly spirited semester of English literature.
Still, it took a minute for her to remember the story's fateful outcome: the Lady of Shalott had not made it alive out of the fabled kingdom; she had left on her death barge, floating on a dark river."
"With the blanket pulled up all the way to her chest, and the silence that still pervaded her every breath, she could definitely have been mistaken for a Victorian heroine; the Lily Maid, thought Marjan, on her way out of Camelot's reign.
Tennyson's poem had been a favorite of Marjan's when she was younger; she had learned it in high school in Tehran, during a particularly spirited semester of English literature.
Still, it took a minute for her to remember the story's fateful outcome: the Lady of Shalott had not made it alive out of the fabled kingdom; she had left on her death barge, floating on a dark river."
May 10, 2025
Eau de rose et soda bread est la suite du livre Soupe à la Grenade, que je n'ai malheureusement pas lu mais cela ne m'a pas empêché d'apprécier le roman.
Nous y retrouvons trois soeurs iraniennes qui se sont installées en Irlande pour ouvrir un restaurant après avoir fui l'Iran.
J'ai beaucoup aimé l'ambiance du roman, très romantique, qui m'a un peu rappelé l'ambiance de Gilmore Girls, puisque nos héroïnes vivent dans un petit village irlandais où les traditions conviviales demeurent. La météo irlandaise, la nature et les descriptions culinaires en font un voyage chaleureux et très immersif.
Les personnages sont attachants, j'ai beaucoup aimé la relation entre les trois soeurs (les différents rapports de force, le caractère de chacune).
La réalité nous rattrape dans le roman avec les quelques évocations des violences subies par les soeurs en Iran, le racisme très présent en Irlande ainsi que l'impact de la religion sur les droits des femmes (avortement prohibé et très vivement critiqué). Un personnage énigmatique et dramatique fait son apparition et apporte une petite touche de "fantastique", de légende, tout en permettant d'aborder des sujets concrets, j'ai trouvé cela pertinent et plutôt bien fait.
J'ai apprécié ce contraste même si j'aurais aimé plus d'approfondissement sur ces questions (peut-être que le premier livre est plus dramatique et profond).
Autre petit bémol, j'ai trouvé la romance très clichée et inutile et certains dialogues un peu "cringe" car trop niais ou superficiels.
En conclusion, j'ai passé un bon moment de lecture, tout en légèreté, je suis ravie d'avoir découvert cette auteure et je pense lire son premier livre pour en apprendre davantage sur nos protagonistes.
Nous y retrouvons trois soeurs iraniennes qui se sont installées en Irlande pour ouvrir un restaurant après avoir fui l'Iran.
J'ai beaucoup aimé l'ambiance du roman, très romantique, qui m'a un peu rappelé l'ambiance de Gilmore Girls, puisque nos héroïnes vivent dans un petit village irlandais où les traditions conviviales demeurent. La météo irlandaise, la nature et les descriptions culinaires en font un voyage chaleureux et très immersif.
Les personnages sont attachants, j'ai beaucoup aimé la relation entre les trois soeurs (les différents rapports de force, le caractère de chacune).
La réalité nous rattrape dans le roman avec les quelques évocations des violences subies par les soeurs en Iran, le racisme très présent en Irlande ainsi que l'impact de la religion sur les droits des femmes (avortement prohibé et très vivement critiqué). Un personnage énigmatique et dramatique fait son apparition et apporte une petite touche de "fantastique", de légende, tout en permettant d'aborder des sujets concrets, j'ai trouvé cela pertinent et plutôt bien fait.
J'ai apprécié ce contraste même si j'aurais aimé plus d'approfondissement sur ces questions (peut-être que le premier livre est plus dramatique et profond).
Autre petit bémol, j'ai trouvé la romance très clichée et inutile et certains dialogues un peu "cringe" car trop niais ou superficiels.
En conclusion, j'ai passé un bon moment de lecture, tout en légèreté, je suis ravie d'avoir découvert cette auteure et je pense lire son premier livre pour en apprendre davantage sur nos protagonistes.
August 12, 2019
Such a clash of cultures integrating society. Harsh reality mixes with wit and a dash of spice.
August 7, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
January 11, 2025
Uenne vraie douceur ce livre ! J'ai adoré replonger dans le quotidien des sœurs Aminpour, surtout qu'un peu de magie se glisse dans ce tome.
March 24, 2024
Un joli livre, mais qui m’a beaucoup moins touchée et emportée que le premier, « Une soupe à la grenade ».
February 14, 2024
‘Whatever is in the heart will come up to the tongue.’
More than a year has passed since the three Aminpour sisters (Marjan, Bahar and Layla) sought refuge in the Irish town of Ballinacroagh. Since opening the Babylon Café, they have charmed the locals with both their Persian cuisine, and their warm hearts.
But their lives are turned upside down when a young woman with a dark secret is found on Clew Bay Beach sending the town into an uproar. At the same time, each of the sisters is dealing with her own transformation: Marjan meets a handsome young writer; Bahar finds a spiritual peace; and Layla is maturing into a young woman.
This novel is a sequel to “Pomegranate Soup’ and while it can be read as a standalone novel, I’d recommend reading them both in order. There are a number of interesting secondary characters in the novel, including the wonderful, warm Estelle Domenico, and the interfering busybody Dervla Quigley.
While aspects of the story did not appeal to me as much as the earlier book, the inclusion of some delightful and relatively simple Persian recipes made the experience more satisfying. This is a comparatively light read, and I enjoyed reacquainting myself with the Aminpour sisters, and the people of Ballinacroagh.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
More than a year has passed since the three Aminpour sisters (Marjan, Bahar and Layla) sought refuge in the Irish town of Ballinacroagh. Since opening the Babylon Café, they have charmed the locals with both their Persian cuisine, and their warm hearts.
But their lives are turned upside down when a young woman with a dark secret is found on Clew Bay Beach sending the town into an uproar. At the same time, each of the sisters is dealing with her own transformation: Marjan meets a handsome young writer; Bahar finds a spiritual peace; and Layla is maturing into a young woman.
This novel is a sequel to “Pomegranate Soup’ and while it can be read as a standalone novel, I’d recommend reading them both in order. There are a number of interesting secondary characters in the novel, including the wonderful, warm Estelle Domenico, and the interfering busybody Dervla Quigley.
While aspects of the story did not appeal to me as much as the earlier book, the inclusion of some delightful and relatively simple Persian recipes made the experience more satisfying. This is a comparatively light read, and I enjoyed reacquainting myself with the Aminpour sisters, and the people of Ballinacroagh.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
January 2, 2026
I have a deep love for Iranian writing and poetry so upon learning about Marsha Mehran I had to read her work. Sadly the author passed away in 2014 so there will be no more work by her, she only has 2 novels published- the first is Pomegrante soup (which I'm yet to read) and Rosewater & Soda Bread.
I should have read Pomegrante soup first, but oh well.
What a gentle read this is. We’re shown a simple life in Ireland lived by a family of Iranian sisters in the cafe they run. Marjan makes and sells beautiful partly Iranian, partly Irish food which sounds mouth-wateringly delicious. I love how the story weaves it’s characters together, eventually bringing them all to an acceptance of each other and their ways of life. There’s just a hint of magic about the story, brought by the hands of a healer, a young girl with her own problems but always ready to help others - particularly Estelle. It’s really a beautiful story. I thoroughly enjoyed the overwhelming softness and gentle way it comes across.
If you like these books: Chocolat, Like water for Chocolate and Under the Tuscan Sun, then you'll like this.
I should have read Pomegrante soup first, but oh well.
What a gentle read this is. We’re shown a simple life in Ireland lived by a family of Iranian sisters in the cafe they run. Marjan makes and sells beautiful partly Iranian, partly Irish food which sounds mouth-wateringly delicious. I love how the story weaves it’s characters together, eventually bringing them all to an acceptance of each other and their ways of life. There’s just a hint of magic about the story, brought by the hands of a healer, a young girl with her own problems but always ready to help others - particularly Estelle. It’s really a beautiful story. I thoroughly enjoyed the overwhelming softness and gentle way it comes across.
If you like these books: Chocolat, Like water for Chocolate and Under the Tuscan Sun, then you'll like this.
October 9, 2016
Aminpourin kauniit iranilaiset sisarukset Marjan, Bahar ja Layla tulivat tutuiksi Lumoavien mausteiden kahvilasta, joka kirjassa sai nimen Babylonian cafe. Tämä Marsha Mehranin jatkokirja Ruusuvettä ja lammaspataa (Rosewater and Soda Bread 2008 suom. 2009) jatkaa vuoden päästä uusin tapahtumin hiljaisen kylän elämänmenoa, jossa jokainen tuntee toisensa paremmin, kuin itse tuntisi itsensä.
Perheen nuorin tytär 16 v. Layla jatkaa opiskeluaan lukiossa ja seurustelee poikaystävänsä kanssa ja Bahar on löytänyt elämälleen uuden suunnan, jota haluaa seurata koko sydämestään. Perheen vanhimmalle tytölle Marjanille kirjan tarinassa on viritelty rakkautta ja suuria tunteita, mutta myös huolenaiheita ihan riittämiin. Marjan on siskoksista se, joka hoitaa ja huolehtii asioista enemmän, kuin yksi ihminen jaksaa kantaa, joten pientä uupumista ja sekoilua on luettavissa kirjan sivuilta.
Perheen nuorin tytär 16 v. Layla jatkaa opiskeluaan lukiossa ja seurustelee poikaystävänsä kanssa ja Bahar on löytänyt elämälleen uuden suunnan, jota haluaa seurata koko sydämestään. Perheen vanhimmalle tytölle Marjanille kirjan tarinassa on viritelty rakkautta ja suuria tunteita, mutta myös huolenaiheita ihan riittämiin. Marjan on siskoksista se, joka hoitaa ja huolehtii asioista enemmän, kuin yksi ihminen jaksaa kantaa, joten pientä uupumista ja sekoilua on luettavissa kirjan sivuilta.
February 7, 2014
I really enjoyed the book that came before this, "Pomegranate Soup" but for some reason, found this one to be so boring! I really tried hard to get into it and not give up on it but the storyline just wasn't engaging enough for me. I didn't care about the mysterious woman who washed up on shore, I didn't really care for the potential romance plot line and I didn't care about the middle sister's spiritual reawakening. But I won't give up on this author just yet... I'll see what else she has to offer in other books.
August 6, 2014
I gave up about two-thirds of the way in. I liked the first one in this series well enough. It was light and fluffy and maybe a bit of a relief from whatever I had been reading. This one isn't as good and it's context in my reading life wasn't as favorable. Enough of the three Iranian sisters in the little Irish village. I feel badly saying this, because they are three admirable women and the author is working very hard to engage us. Still, it didn't work for me. I'd still read the first one, but I'd call it a day at that. (And to think there were supposed to be seven?)
February 10, 2016
I loved Pomegranate Soup (the first book in this series), but I made it only 10% (kindle edition) before giving up on this one. So much dry, wall-of-text, recap that skimming became self defense. Every time I'd think it was going to pick up and show some of the more lyrical prose of the first book, it'd dive back into dry recap or stilted dialog. Sadly, I had to give up on it. I'll still keep an eye out for this author but I think I'm giving up on the Babylon Café.
September 15, 2012
This book left my mouth watering for all the wonderful dishes served at the unique little cafe. There are even a few recipes in the back. Yummy fun!
March 29, 2023
This lovely book was just what I needed right now. The backdrop and the characters' pasts show plenty of strife and hardship, but the everyday happenings in the town give the reader that feeling of community and quirky camaraderie that comes with living in a small, nearly-idyllic town. There is still that undercurrent of dread--worry that newcomers and those who are different will be shut out--but there is a lot of learning, sharing, and acceptance that ultimately prevails in the tone of the book. It was interesting to read something set in this place and time, because it provided a backdrop I wasn't completely familiar with in a way that still resonates as relevant. I didn't realize this was a sequel until I was well into it, so I plan to go back and read the first book now. (And, my only real complaint about the book is probably due to my own lack of planning. Sometimes it was hard to keep track of the characters, and there were passing mentions of things that had previously happened which were affecting the characters' decisions, but not really flushed out. I assume that at least some of both minor issues are due to some material being covered in the first book.)
I was really saddened after finishing the book to discover that the author passed away unexpectedly and young. I definitely would have read a whole series based on these characters and this setting. I genuinely mourn the loss of Marsha Mehran's untold stories.
I was really saddened after finishing the book to discover that the author passed away unexpectedly and young. I definitely would have read a whole series based on these characters and this setting. I genuinely mourn the loss of Marsha Mehran's untold stories.
December 28, 2018
I purchased Rosewater and Soda Bread at a booksale about a year ago. I was at first attracted to the cover design and reading the blurb, I was expecting a heartfelt story.
Rosewater and Soda Bread revolves around three sisters who have escaped Iran and are living in Ireland. They run a cafe that is famous for Persian cuisine. The detailed descriptions of Persian delicacies made my mouth water. I could almost taste the dishes and breathe in the scent of bergamot tea. The recipes at the end of the book are an added bonus and lovely addition to the novel. I even hope to cook some of the meals!
I enjoyed reading about the quaint Irish town of Ballincrough, the Babylon cafe and authentic food, however, I felt that I needed more insight into the characters themselves. My favourite character was the mermaid, who I found very intriguing. I did feel left wanting to know more about her and the Irish legends alluded to. For me, the characterisation was weak and I craved to know more about the Aminpour sisters too, who had experienced such turmoil prior to their arrival in Ireland. Admittedly, I have not read Pomegranate Soup, the prequel to Rosewater and Soda Bread. I wonder if this would have given me the depth I needed to further understand their background.
Overall, it was a nice, light read, but not the memorable and heartwarming story I expected.
Rosewater and Soda Bread revolves around three sisters who have escaped Iran and are living in Ireland. They run a cafe that is famous for Persian cuisine. The detailed descriptions of Persian delicacies made my mouth water. I could almost taste the dishes and breathe in the scent of bergamot tea. The recipes at the end of the book are an added bonus and lovely addition to the novel. I even hope to cook some of the meals!
I enjoyed reading about the quaint Irish town of Ballincrough, the Babylon cafe and authentic food, however, I felt that I needed more insight into the characters themselves. My favourite character was the mermaid, who I found very intriguing. I did feel left wanting to know more about her and the Irish legends alluded to. For me, the characterisation was weak and I craved to know more about the Aminpour sisters too, who had experienced such turmoil prior to their arrival in Ireland. Admittedly, I have not read Pomegranate Soup, the prequel to Rosewater and Soda Bread. I wonder if this would have given me the depth I needed to further understand their background.
Overall, it was a nice, light read, but not the memorable and heartwarming story I expected.
September 8, 2020
I fell in love with Marsha Mehran's writing with Pomegranate Soup. I read that one early in the pandemic lockdown and it got me hooked onto food fiction and Persian culture. So I was really excited about this second installment in the tale of three Iranian sisters in Ireland.
This book is at best, a sequel. Without the charm of recipes at the end of each chapter, it stops being as much about the food. The writing feels scattered. There are random attemps to be clever (a goat called Godot, an owner called The Cat), sudden infusions of romance an inexplicable detour into religion and a very odd storyline about a mermaid. If I had come across this book first, I wouldn't have given it beyond a couple of chapters and would never have read the author again.
Nostalgia isn't a great way to keep readers engaged. But I also learnt while reading this book that the author died alone a few years ago. I don't know what she experienced in the later part of her life so maybe I'm missing something in the backdrop of this story. Either way, I don't regret spending time on her books.
This book is at best, a sequel. Without the charm of recipes at the end of each chapter, it stops being as much about the food. The writing feels scattered. There are random attemps to be clever (a goat called Godot, an owner called The Cat), sudden infusions of romance an inexplicable detour into religion and a very odd storyline about a mermaid. If I had come across this book first, I wouldn't have given it beyond a couple of chapters and would never have read the author again.
Nostalgia isn't a great way to keep readers engaged. But I also learnt while reading this book that the author died alone a few years ago. I don't know what she experienced in the later part of her life so maybe I'm missing something in the backdrop of this story. Either way, I don't regret spending time on her books.
August 18, 2024
I was gifted this book and thus started with this one without having read the first. At first, I was a bit dubious. The opening pov seemed really bland, like hating strangers just for the sake of hating strangers. I also feared the siren. Magical realism hardly ever sits well with me. Well, I was happy to be wrong about my assumptions.
As it turned out, it was a heartwarming book. More than anything, I loved the shifts in the three sisters' relationship. It felt alive behind the text. I only wish we were given more about Layla. Though I don’t have a lot to comment on, it made the whole book enjoyable for me. Same goes for Estelle. She was really sweet. I also appreciated the food aspect, heavy with 5 senses descriptions.
However. I HATED the romance with Marjan. Her love interest was a walking red flag ?! He didn’t bother to show up to their date, nor to even WARN her. He is also really self centered and their first kiss felt forced ?! Not to help, we weren’t given a lot on what Marjan felt regarding him. In the end, when the other man showed up, I even thought they would end up together. It would have been really rushed, but I think I would have preferred this way. The only positive point is that the romance was quite discrete.
As it turned out, it was a heartwarming book. More than anything, I loved the shifts in the three sisters' relationship. It felt alive behind the text. I only wish we were given more about Layla. Though I don’t have a lot to comment on, it made the whole book enjoyable for me. Same goes for Estelle. She was really sweet. I also appreciated the food aspect, heavy with 5 senses descriptions.
However. I HATED the romance with Marjan. Her love interest was a walking red flag ?! He didn’t bother to show up to their date, nor to even WARN her. He is also really self centered and their first kiss felt forced ?! Not to help, we weren’t given a lot on what Marjan felt regarding him. In the end, when the other man showed up, I even thought they would end up together. It would have been really rushed, but I think I would have preferred this way. The only positive point is that the romance was quite discrete.
July 16, 2025
J'étais très heureuse de retrouver les 3 sœurs et leur petit café de Ballinacroagh. J'ai aimé retrouvé les différents habitants, suivre leur petits boutades et le cheminement de leurs vies.
Ce tome, d'après moi, se focalisait d'autant plus sur Marjan que ses deux sœurs et bien que le récit m'ait plu, j'aurai aimé en découvrir d'avantage sur Bahar et Layla.
Pour l'intrigue principale de ce tome, je ne mattendais pas au twist fantastique mais c'était très ingénieux. J'ai bien aimé l'incorporation de folklore irlandais, que se soit les explications sur les sirènes de Fadden, le passif de druides d'Irlande, etc
C'était vraiment divertissant.
Le seul point qui m'a un peu ennuyé dans ma lecture c'est cette histoire de sueur au goût sucré de Estelle, qui était déjà présente dans le premier livre mais qui jusqu'à présent n'a toujours rien ramené à l'histoire et il est vrai que cette description me décontenance à chaque fois que je la lis.
Dans l'ensemble, j'ai aimé le mélange d'Irlande et d'Iran que l'autrice a réussi à créer dans ses romans, j'ai aimé tous les différents personnes qui parfois m'enquiquinaient mais qui ont rendu cette histoire si intéressante et je suis triste de savoir qu'il n'y aura plus d'autres ouvrages me permettant de m'évader dans cet univers.
Ce tome, d'après moi, se focalisait d'autant plus sur Marjan que ses deux sœurs et bien que le récit m'ait plu, j'aurai aimé en découvrir d'avantage sur Bahar et Layla.
Pour l'intrigue principale de ce tome, je ne mattendais pas au twist fantastique mais c'était très ingénieux. J'ai bien aimé l'incorporation de folklore irlandais, que se soit les explications sur les sirènes de Fadden, le passif de druides d'Irlande, etc
C'était vraiment divertissant.
Le seul point qui m'a un peu ennuyé dans ma lecture c'est cette histoire de sueur au goût sucré de Estelle, qui était déjà présente dans le premier livre mais qui jusqu'à présent n'a toujours rien ramené à l'histoire et il est vrai que cette description me décontenance à chaque fois que je la lis.
Dans l'ensemble, j'ai aimé le mélange d'Irlande et d'Iran que l'autrice a réussi à créer dans ses romans, j'ai aimé tous les différents personnes qui parfois m'enquiquinaient mais qui ont rendu cette histoire si intéressante et je suis triste de savoir qu'il n'y aura plus d'autres ouvrages me permettant de m'évader dans cet univers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2023
I feel like I read book 1 a million years ago, but it was only 7 years ago. But still a long time. When I saw this as audio I could not say no.
It is a family centered story, told around their café. And the food fills the book and makes you hungry. There are of course also some recipes.
3 sisters fled Iran after the revolution and came to Ireland. They set up an amazing café and is now a part of the village (even if some have doubts.) In this one Marjan, the eldest meets a newcomer and maybe there is a chance for her to find love again. Bahar the middle one keeps disappearing and they do not know what she is up to. While the youngest, Layle is just a teen and is thinking about her relationship and taking the next step.
Then there are villagers doing their thing too. Estelle who finds a woman on the beach. But this is 80s Ireland and it looks like she tried to have an abortion. Drama.
Not a lot happens, so some might find it slow at times. It was this easy gentle listen.
Good narration. You are gently brought into the story
It is a family centered story, told around their café. And the food fills the book and makes you hungry. There are of course also some recipes.
3 sisters fled Iran after the revolution and came to Ireland. They set up an amazing café and is now a part of the village (even if some have doubts.) In this one Marjan, the eldest meets a newcomer and maybe there is a chance for her to find love again. Bahar the middle one keeps disappearing and they do not know what she is up to. While the youngest, Layle is just a teen and is thinking about her relationship and taking the next step.
Then there are villagers doing their thing too. Estelle who finds a woman on the beach. But this is 80s Ireland and it looks like she tried to have an abortion. Drama.
Not a lot happens, so some might find it slow at times. It was this easy gentle listen.
Good narration. You are gently brought into the story
August 7, 2022
Ms. Mehran's 1st book in the Babylon Cafe series concentrated on the difficulties of the 3 Iranian sisters trying to make their way by owning and operating a cafe in a small Irish town. The story in this book is also about prejudice and the power of gossip but this time one of their own is in their sites. Marjan, the oldest of the 3 sisters, tries to help not only with Layla's (the youngest) awakening sexuality (nothing intimate) and Bahar's religious conflicts but also with a friend's housing a young woman unrelated to her that seems to have broken the law. Full of delicious sounding food and wonderful wisdom, I enjoyed this just as much as the first book. My assumption, since this was published in 2008, is that there will be no 3rd book in the series which is sad because I think there were still several stories to tell in connection to the sister's back story...but, I'll just be happy that I was able to find and read these two.
September 16, 2023
The three Iranian Aminpour sisters are running the Babylon Cafe in a western Ireland village. After being there a year they are still not accepted by everyone. Each sister in this book has to confront a major issue as well as all three being confronted by the village in their assistance to a young girl in trouble. Marjan, the eldest, aids the young girl whom her friend Estelle has rescued and is facing her growing feelings for a man who has returned to town to save his family home; Bahar, the middle sister, is facing her personal religious fervor for becoming Catholic; and Layla, the youngest at 16, is exploring her sexuality. These are tough issues to work out in this very strict Catholic town. Good story.
November 25, 2017
Mukavaa, viihteellistä luettavaa. Sopivaa luettavaa, kun viettää aikaansa sairaalassa lapsensa kanssa odottaen veriarvojen palautumista riittävän normaaliksi sytostaattitiputuksen jälkeen.
Pidin tästä kirjasta, niin kuin sen edeltäjästäkin, Lumoavien mausteiden kahvilastakin. Ei liian synkkää, mutta ei pelkkää auringonpaistettakaan. Kirjoissa yhtenä taustatekijänä Iranin ja Irlannin kulttuuritja niiden erot. Ja tuodaan esille niin ihmisten ennakkoluuloja erilaisia kulttuureja kohtaan kuin sitä, kuinka aina ja kaikkialta löytyy ihmisiä, jotka pystyvät ylittämään nuo kulttuuriset muurit mielessään helposti.
Pidin tästä kirjasta, niin kuin sen edeltäjästäkin, Lumoavien mausteiden kahvilastakin. Ei liian synkkää, mutta ei pelkkää auringonpaistettakaan. Kirjoissa yhtenä taustatekijänä Iranin ja Irlannin kulttuuritja niiden erot. Ja tuodaan esille niin ihmisten ennakkoluuloja erilaisia kulttuureja kohtaan kuin sitä, kuinka aina ja kaikkialta löytyy ihmisiä, jotka pystyvät ylittämään nuo kulttuuriset muurit mielessään helposti.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews