This was a perfect graphic novel for newbies to the genre like me. I read Persepolis a looooong time ago, but this year I’ve been wanting to explore the genre more and this seemed like the perfect follow-up to the wonderful Hyperbole and a Half. I’ve always loved eating and cooking, so this graphic memoir was a perfect fit.
Lucy Knisley grew up surrounded by family and friends in the food business (chefs, gourmets, critics, restaurant owners), so delicious food filled her life from the very start. For her, every memory is invariably tied to food and taste. Through her beautiful drawings, Knisley takes the reader on a journey through her food memories. From vinegar shots with her father to shucking oysters with her uncle to a coming of age trip to Mexico, every step of her journey fills the pages of Relish with nostalgia, emotion, and mouth-watering food. Warning: do not read this book on an empty stomach.
There was clearly a lot of thought and time put into the making of this book. Relish is well-crafted and a complete joy to read. Knisley’s drawings are perfectly colorful and charming while her words are clear and elegantly concise. I really liked that even though Knisley loves good food, she’s not a food snob. There’s an entire vignette devoted to her love of McDonald’s and how crazy it makes her foodie parents. I borrowed this one from the library, but might have to actually buy it so that I can pull if off the shelf and let it comfort me when I’ve had a sad or frustrating day. Relish is literally the literary equivalent of comfort food.
