Graphic Novel Review: "Relish: My Life in the Kitchen" by Lucy Knisley

Relish was exactly what I needed and didn't even know I needed it . My experience with graphic novels to this point basically dealt with some combination of " violence, death, flawed superheroes or masked vigilantes, or really strange illustrations that were borderline too creepy a lot of the time" (I'm looking at you Neil's Sandmans!). So even though I knew the content matter of this graphic novel I was basically waiting for the other )weird/violent/scary) shoe to drop and it never did. Turns out this is just a funny, informative, relaxing read!

It's the story of Lucy, growing up in New York City with super foodie parents. Food was at the center of nearly everything that they did. Lucy tried more exotic, high brow food by the age of 8 than I have at 29. (But it''s okay, because she knows there is a time and place for hot, salty, golden McDonald's French fries....*pauses to wipe drool off keyboard and continues*)

After her parents split up she moves with her mom to a farm not terribly far outside of New York City. There they grow vegetables and raise chickens. (Though there is some initial problems with too many roosters in the hen house, as the saying goes...) Lucy's mom starts a catering business that caters super fancy parties and even a celebrity photo shoot.

Lucy misses the hustle and bustle of a city so she ends up going to art school in Chicago. Even though food is still a big part of her life.

There is more to this GN than just Lucy's story. There's also recipes, many of which look surprisingly uncomplicated and delicious. One is for her oft made, crafted to perfection chocolate chip cookies. There's also a (surprisingly interesting) cheese cheat sheet!

I'm in no way a high class foodie but I do love to eat and I think it's interesting the way that food brings people together. It's really all about the relationship between food and people in a pretentious funny way. The illustration are fun and casual too! 3.5 out of 5 stars!

Roommate Jen- You'll be getting this for a birthday present at some point in our lives. That's your warning! :)