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 · 99 ratings  · 21 reviews

Offset your review of To Begin Again: Stories and Memoirs, 1908-1929

Jan 21, 2021 Katie rated it liked information technology

Parts of this volume shimmered. I call back what I enjoyed best was the kid'due south view of the world—her sketches and reminiscences focus on her youth in Southern California and capture vividly that time of discovery and expanding awareness. And she'southward a corking writer—I'd catch myself re-reading an evocative description or phrase with appreciation. At the aforementioned time, while her mode and tone are droll, witty and entertaining, something about that fell a piffling flat for me—perhaps information technology seemed too worldly, too Parts of this book shimmered. I think what I enjoyed best was the child'south view of the earth—her sketches and reminiscences focus on her youth in Southern California and capture vividly that time of discovery and expanding awareness. And she's a great writer—I'd catch myself re-reading an evocative description or phrase with appreciation. At the aforementioned time, while her style and tone are droll, witty and entertaining, something virtually that cruel a little flat for me—possibly it seemed too worldly, besides much of the adult, and at odds with her bailiwick matter. I retrieve I wanted more earnestness. But that's a personal preference. It'south her way that makes this book what it is. ...more

Aug 03, 2008 Jean rated it really liked it

This is a collection of lovely short autobiographical essays and diary entries which sharply bring frontwards details of the writer's babyhood and young adulthood. Reading MFK Fisher I always feel like I'thousand with an uncommonly aware and intelligent friend. She is known as a "food author" and this volume has many bright descriptions of meals. Just it's the intelligence of her writing as a woman, an observer of people, and conveyer of lessons learned in her full and graceful life that most makes me app This is a collection of lovely short autobiographical essays and diary entries which sharply bring forrad details of the author's childhood and young machismo. Reading MFK Fisher I always experience like I'm with an exceptionally aware and intelligent friend. She is known as a "food author" and this volume has many vivid descriptions of meals. But it'south the intelligence of her writing as a woman, an observer of people, and conveyer of lessons learned in her full and graceful life that most makes me capeesh her. For example, she tells of her uncle'south admonishment later on she told him she didn't intendance whether her omelet be fabricated with mushrooms or asparagus. 'He said "You lot should never say that again, dearest girl. Information technology is stupid, which you are not. It implies that the attentions of the host are basically wasted on you. Permit him believe, fifty-fifty if it is a prevarication…that it matters to you…and even that he does. All this," my uncle added gently "may anytime teach you about the art of seduction, also every bit the more than important art of knowing yourself." …And I don't believe that since then I have ever said, 'I don't care' when I am offered a choice …as Uncle Evans pointed out, I either care or I'm a dolt, and dolts should not consort with caring people." ...more

October 25, 2008 Anna Bond rated it really liked it

I even so can't figure out why I've become an M.F.K. Fisher fan. Her style is pleasant enough: near defiant in her lack of subtlety, but with an unfazed sheen that makes all her autobiographical writings oddly unrealistic. I exercise think it's all intentional, because she seems to recognize both her ain privilege and the equal validity of all other life stories, non albeit anything remarkable or notable about her ain beyond the very fact of its recording.

And platitude equally information technology may be, every bit a displaced Cal

I still can't effigy out why I've become an M.F.M. Fisher fan. Her style is pleasant plenty: about defiant in her lack of subtlety, but with an unfazed sheen that makes all her autobiographical writings oddly unrealistic. I do think it's all intentional, because she seems to recognize both her own privilege and the equal validity of all other life stories, not albeit anything remarkable or notable about her ain beyond the very fact of its recording.

And cliché every bit it may exist, as a displaced Californian I dearest memoirs of California childhoods that capture the glorious nostalgia my dustily cute dwelling house state inspires in its wayward offspring. Though I wanted more of this from Fisher, that is undoubtedly my declining, not hers.

This collection was fine, only relatively ho-hum - I'd recommend anyone starting with Fisher to get the fat compendium of her food writings, 'The Fine art Of Eating', as they represent the majority of her impressive wit.

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Not sure how this got on my list. I've non read anything else by Fisher, nor fifty-fifty heard of her. To me this read like vanity printing memoir, what I tried of it. Non certain how this got on my list. I've not read anything else past Fisher, nor even heard of her. To me this read like vanity press memoir, what I tried of it. ...more

Mar 12, 2017 Lanette rated information technology it was ok

I suppose if I was a super huge fan of MFK Fisher I would accept enjoyed this volume. But I'm not, then I didn't. Felt more like old-lady rambling to me. I suppose if I was a super huge fan of MFK Fisher I would have enjoyed this book. But I'yard not, so I didn't. Felt more similar old-lady rambling to me. ...more

Parts liked very much and others were rather horrifying ... this was published in 1992, and it seems that the fashion people referred to POC might accept been more enlightened -- or do I just not trust people to tell the truth the way they saw it and so without pondering on it from a unlike time to come? hmmm

Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher, where have you been all my life? Then smart, so witty, then exactly what I desire to be reading. She details little moments from her childhood so perfectly, always with a surprising bite, as it were. The last section, which is actually from her diary, aged 19, is besides smart and witty. Already, she was remarkable. Now I must read everything.

Jan 22, 2021 Jenn rated it liked it

Cute descriptions of Southern California in 1910s-20s. Made me miss my childhood dwelling. Well written but also wasn't the about engaging recollection of babyhood - oddly mismanaged at times. I do desire to read her food writing now though.

May 21, 2018 Briana rated it it was amazing

Did non expect myself to like this and then much but I did! I finished it in one day!?

memoirs of her babyhood in southern California. Not quite every bit centered on food as her other writings, but still a wonderful read by a fascinating woman. (x/97)

Jan 30, 2016 Susan rated information technology liked it

iii.five Stars

I enjoyed stepping back in fourth dimension with MFK Fisher's collection of remembrances from her babyhood in Southern California at the start of the terminal century. A longtime fan of Fisher, I found her family stories and accounts of places and people at present long gone fascinating. My one disappointment with To Brainstorm Again was the determination to include as the book's last chapters entries from the journals she kept equally a young adult. (Probable no one of this historic period should accept their private journals publish

3.v Stars

I enjoyed stepping back in time with MFK Fisher's collection of remembrances from her childhood in Southern California at the outset of the last century. A longtime fan of Fisher, I institute her family stories and accounts of places and people at present long gone fascinating. My i disappointment with To Begin Again was the decision to include equally the volume'due south last chapters entries from the journals she kept as a immature developed. (Probable no one of this historic period should accept their individual journals published.) Fisher's vanity, self absorption, and ennui were more than than tiresome and fortunately in very sharp contrast with the person and writer she went on to get.

...more than

May 12, 2009 Lynne-marie rated it really liked it

Determined to read everything that M.F.One thousand. Fisher wrote exterior of her cookbooks, I went on-line to our canton catalog and ordered upwards what I could. What I received at my local library was indeed humbling. Non only is Fisher a great author, but she is a great human beingness. This volume, the showtime book of her memoirs paints her early years and limns them with the colors of quietest glory. It is the life, I trust, we would all like to have lived and having lived, would have come out as Fisher did: an Adamant to read everything that M.F.1000. Fisher wrote outside of her cookbooks, I went on-line to our county catalog and ordered upwards what I could. What I received at my local library was indeed humbling. Not but is Fisher a great writer, but she is a great human being existence. This book, the start book of her memoirs paints her early years and limns them with the colors of quietest glory. It is the life, I trust, we would all like to have lived and having lived, would have come out as Fisher did: an exceptional individual. The picture of that long-ago life is roundly painted as is the inestimable and inescapable outcome for one person. What a treasure! ...more

I admire MFK Fisher's writing. She could be tender and thoughtful, snarky and irreverent, e'er entertaining. She loved to tell a skilful story and I love these, mostly from her childhood. I was fascinated to acquire that her dear of all things sensual (past which I hateful the senses, including the feel of eating) was in spite of her stern religious grandmother who seemed to call back that there was some virtue in choking downward boiled, mushy, tasteless nutrient. I love memoirs, especially those told with su I adore MFK Fisher's writing. She could be tender and thoughtful, snarky and irreverent, always entertaining. She loved to tell a good story and I love these, mostly from her childhood. I was fascinated to learn that her love of all things sensual (past which I mean the senses, including the experience of eating) was in spite of her stern religious grandmother who seemed to call back that in that location was some virtue in choking downward boiled, mushy, tasteless food. I love memoirs, especially those told with such talent. I laughed quite oft throughout. ...more

Jun 12, 2013 Jeanne rated information technology it was ok

Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher is known for writing about food. But before she chronicled the world of gastronomy, she was just a child growing up in Whittier, California.

This memoir focuses on her younger years. Written in essay format, Fisher's memoir covers everything from her mother'south friendship with the town librarian to her grandmother's nervous tum to MF'due south very terminal spanking. Quirky, indeed!

The topics are random, and the writing is very conversational and odd. It very much reminds me of Ka

Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher is known for writing about food. Merely earlier she chronicled the world of gastronomy, she was just a kid growing up in Whittier, California.

This memoir focuses on her younger years. Written in essay format, Fisher's memoir covers everything from her mother's friendship with the town librarian to her grandmother'south nervous stomach to MF's very last spanking. Quirky, indeed!

The topics are random, and the writing is very conversational and odd. It very much reminds me of Kate Hepburn'south memoir, Me. This was definitely not what I expected.

...more than

Jul 10, 2008 Betsy rated information technology really liked it

My start read of Fishers work. Bits of these essays are repetitive, but they are reflections of a adult female in her 70s and reworked diary entries - who wouldn't get repetitive? Regardless, I'm hooked. Totally in love with how this adult female describes an egg sandwich in wax newspaper. Can't wait to get my hands on more of her food writing. My first read of Fishers piece of work. Bits of these essays are repetitive, merely they are reflections of a woman in her 70s and reworked diary entries - who wouldn't get repetitive? Regardless, I'm hooked. Totally in beloved with how this adult female describes an egg sandwich in wax paper. Tin can't look to get my hands on more of her food writing. ...more

Mar xiii, 2008 Christine Feiner rated it liked it

Recommended to Christine by: Kate Beihl

This was the showtime MFK Fisher I had read and although I would similar to read more of her food writing, I was less than enchanted with this memoir. Although it was an interesting insight into her dynamic personality and unique voice.

Mar 13, 2016 Rita marked it equally to-read

1992
I'd probably relish these California childhood memoirs of someone who in her time was loved for her food books. Come across other goodreaders reviews.

WRB 'Feasting on life' past Brenda Wineapple March 1993

1992
I'd probably savour these California childhood memoirs of someone who in her time was loved for her food books. Encounter other goodreaders reviews.

WRB 'Feasting on life' past Brenda Wineapple March 1993

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This one drew me in and and kept me reading until the terminal page. This is more a collection of childhood and schoolgirl reminiscences than her usual food writing, focusing on recess-m politics and dating in college. Beautifully written and very satisfying.

I enjoyed the essays about life in Southern California in the early part of the 20th century. I had never read this writer earlier and now more interested in her other works. She does a great job of relaying her experiences as a child

Sep 21, 2016 Sarah rated it liked it

I call back the most fascinating role of this book were the parts about Los Angeles as a pocket-sized town with no traffic.

Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher was a prolific and well-respected author, writing more than 20 books during her lifetime and also publishing 2 volumes of journals and correspondence shortly before her death in 1992. Her beginning book, Serve it Along, was published in 1937. Her books deal primarily with nutrient, because information technology from many aspects: preparation, natural history, culture, and philosophy. Fisher Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher was a prolific and well-respected writer, writing more than 20 books during her lifetime and also publishing two volumes of journals and correspondence shortly earlier her death in 1992. Her first book, Serve it Forth, was published in 1937. Her books bargain primarily with food, because it from many aspects: preparation, natural history, civilisation, and philosophy. Fisher believed that eating well was just one of the "arts of life" and explored the art of living equally a secondary theme in her writing. Her style and pacing are noted elements of her short stories and essays. ...more than

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