Joe Russell

Hi Stephen,

thanks for your comment. It’s funny you should mention Hemingway and Paris. While I wrote this article I was also finishing off a dissertation on the relationship between food and literature in 1920s Paris.

Maybe I was too close to that topic (it covered Hemingway, Fitzgerald, a little bit of Joyce to name but a few) to talk about A Moveable Feast here.

I agree with you though – Hemingway’s gastronomic depictions in AMF are astoundingly clear and evocative. He had an ability to write about food as succinctly and poignantly as the best food writers since the 20th century.

Perhaps I’ll write an article solely on his use of food and drink soon…

Nice article. I started watching out of boredom one night but got hooked pretty quickly; some of the characters are fascinating. Not 100% about a few of the sub-plots but more often than not I think it’s really well thought out and written. Looking forward to the next series.

Some great choices here. Definitely going to watch Pulp Fiction again tonight, Jackson and Travolta are superb.

Great article. The Beautiful and Damned’s probably my favourite of Fitzgerald’s novels; totally agree about the slightly vacant plot but I don’t mind that. I just love how it captures the spirit and ultimate ruin of the 1920s.

Hi Joseph, glad you liked it. Writing this list made me want to re-read Down and Out as well.

Hi Aliya, I’ve never read anything by Murakami – I take it you’d recommend him?

Zola’s literature makes me want to cook straight after, too.

Hey Daniele, I totally agree. I think The Belly of Paris is a must for any who’s interested in French cuisine.

I’ve been slowly working my way through L’Assomoir for a while now; can’t say I’m loving it but I’m determined to read all of the Les Rougon-Macquart series some day.