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A Curious Absence of Chickens: A journal of life, food and recipes from Puglia - Shortlisted for the Fortnum & Mason Food Book Award Paperback – 9 Jun. 2022

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 206 ratings

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'Sophie Grigson has written twenty odd excellent cookbooks, but I think this is the best of them. It is her first book for a decade and was obviously driven by a real love of her subjects, which are Puglia, people and food. It is witty, informative, fascinating and stuffed full of recipes you want to cook.' Prue Leith

'Puglia is a region I wanted to get to know intimately, to understand culture, life, history and geography, reflecting through the prism of the food that's put on the tables of locals and tourists, too. I'm reminded of my 20-year old self, scribbling in notebooks as I first travelled through Italy's south, only this time I'm back to stay.'

After her children grew up and left home, Sophie Grigson found herself living alone. About to turn 60, she took the decision to sell or give away most of her belongings, to pack up her car and to drive to Puglia on her own to start a new life. In a part of Italy where she didn't know anyone, having last visited the region 40 years ago, this narrative book of food writing, stories and recipes brings to life the region, its food and the local characters that she meets along the way.

This is a book about courage, hope, new horizons and, above all, delicious food.

'Vivid, humorous and unsentimental, Sophie's portrait of modern Puglia, still seeped in old ways, is a delicious treat'
Xanthe Clay

'OMFG! This beautiful book is transporting me there. I can't put it down. And the lack of chickens...I never bloody noticed!' Matt Tebbutt

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Product description

Review

Jane Grigson, the best cookery writer in my lifetime, would have been soproud of her daughter. Sophie Grigson has written twenty-odd excellent cookbooks, but I think this is the best of them. It is her first book for a decade and was obviously driven by a real love of her subjects, which are Puglia, people and food. It is witty, informative, fascinating and stuffed full of recipes you want to cook. ― Prue Leith

Vivid, humorous and unsentimental, Sophie's portrait of modern Puglia, still steeped in old ways, is a delicious treat. ―
Xanthe Clay

OMFG! This beautiful book is transporting me there. I can't put it down. And the lack of chickens... I never bloody noticed! ―
Matt Tebbutt

Part travelogue, part recipe book,
A Curious Absence of Chickens recounts a lone foodie's peregrinations through southern Italy with humour and candour. ― The Times

[A] delicious account of new friends and fantastico food that will leave you hungry for more. ―
Daily Mail

Take a vicarious trip to southern Italy with seasoned cookery writer Sophie Grigson...She recounts her impressions of everything from the idiosyncrasies of her local market to the region's famous storied olive groves in this charming, sparingly illustrated read, bookended with traditional recipes (some with her slant). One to savour. ―
Delicious Magazine

Book Description

A journal of life, food and recipes from Puglia.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Headline Home (9 Jun. 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1472278887
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1472278883
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.34 x 2.54 x 19.69 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 206 ratings

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Sophie Grigson
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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
206 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable to read. They enjoy the recipes and descriptions of life in Puglia. The writing quality is described as excellent and evocative. However, some readers were disappointed by the lack of pictures and poor paper quality.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

21 customers mention ‘Readability’21 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable to read and well-written. They enjoy the descriptions of life and food in an area not found in Tuscany. The recipes are good, making it a feel-good read.

"...BRILLIANT, THANK YOU." Read more

"...Brilliant book, in addition to the fabulous recipes it also explains the Puglian way of life and cooking...." Read more

"Great book and a great cook book" Read more

"This is an interesting book from a well-known author. It would be better if it had some pictures and at least one map showing the area it's about." Read more

20 customers mention ‘Recipes’20 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the recipes and learning about Puglia's cuisine. They find the food simple and honest, with fresh ingredients. The book provides an evocative glimpse into the local way of life and food combinations. Readers appreciate the author's relaxed writing style and descriptions of the area and its people.

"...Nothing fancy, just how it is. Her section on cooking octopus from raw was enlightening and made me want to go straight to the seaside, buy one..." Read more

"I love this book. It's a wonderful mix of authentic recipes and of glimpses into Sophie's life in Puglia and accompanies her TV series brilliantly." Read more

"...for those who have never heard of them, they are the most amazing, tasty things and I will make these in the UK whenever we have a buffet or even as..." Read more

"Great book and a great cook book" Read more

11 customers mention ‘Writing quality’11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's writing quality. They find the content interesting and well-written, with lovely descriptions of Puglia, the food, and people. The background narrative is evocative and inspiring, making it a great introduction to Puglia.

"...Not this one. It was totally inspiring. I read it from cover to cover - every word...." Read more

"...The content was interesting." Read more

"...is a puree made from broad beans, sound boring but is so tasty and very moreish, again a great explanation of what is probably the most staple..." Read more

"...This book is a real find with great recipes but also a real sense of people and place...." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Warmth’3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's warmth. They say it transports them to Italy and the Mediterranean, with its sunshine and great food.

"...In a damp British August the feeling of Mediterranean warmth shines through. So, great as a cookbook, great as an introduction to Puglia." Read more

"Nice book to chill in the sun with." Read more

"Lovely book! Transported me to Italy, sunshine and great food!..." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Picture quality’0 positive3 negative

Customers are disappointed with the lack of pictures in the book. They mention no photos, just line drawings, and poor paper quality.

"...At first I was a little put off by there being no photos but as you read it you realise that because she writes so well you can visualise the dishes..." Read more

"Not what I expected, very poor paper quality and no coloured pictures, very unusual for a cook book. The content was interesting." Read more

"No pictures just line drawings but that doesn’t matter one bit a great read and even better recipes best Italian cookbook I own" Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 September 2024
    I am an avid cook and foodie and after 50 years of cooking for friends and working professionally in the food business in the uk I can find new cookery books rather 'been there done that' .... not that it stops me buying them! Not this one. It was totally inspiring. I read it from cover to cover - every word. I bought the hardback and started to read it at home, then, as I was going abroad and didn't want to stop reading it, I bought it for my Kindle too so I could continue to read it while I was away.
    What I love is the natural relaxed way she writes about food and cooking. You know exactly what she means when she says for instance if the sauce is too claggy add a bit of the pasta water. Nothing fancy, just how it is.
    Her section on cooking octopus from raw was enlightening and made me want to go straight to the seaside, buy one and prepare it straight away.
    At first I was a little put off by there being no photos but as you read it you realise that because she writes so well you can visualise the dishes without photos quite easily.
    If you love food, particularly Italian food, buy this, read it, cook it, eat it and do it again. BRILLIANT, THANK YOU.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 October 2024
    I love this book. It's a wonderful mix of authentic recipes and of glimpses into Sophie's life in Puglia and accompanies her TV series brilliantly.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 September 2021
    Not what I expected, very poor paper quality and no coloured pictures, very unusual for a cook book. The content was interesting.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 July 2021
    My greatly anticipated book arrived yesterday the same day I arrived home from Puglia and I have already read it!

    Brilliant book, in addition to the fabulous recipes it also explains the Puglian way of life and cooking.

    As an avid cook who now spends half the year in our house in Puglia (Covid permitting) I love reading anything about Puglia. The way of life and food in Puglia is simple and 'honest', fresh ingredients and recipes that have not changed for centuries. All the Puglian classics are here with easy to follow recipes.

    I had never heard of Bombette before arriving in Puglia but you will find these everywhere and the book explains what they are as well as a recipe which is great for those who have never heard of them, they are the most amazing, tasty things and I will make these in the UK whenever we have a buffet or even as canapes, they are delicious, I would rather be eating them in the bar at the end of our street in Puglia but whilst in the UK they will do for me.

    Another great one and ideal for parties in the UK as a change from perhaps humous is 'Fave e Cicoria' as the book explains this is a puree made from broad beans, sound boring but is so tasty and very moreish, again a great explanation of what is probably the most staple dishes of Puglia along with 'Orecchiette alle Cime di Rapa'

    Can highly recommend this book for any cook or anyone interested in reading about the food of different cultures, Puglian food is quite unique and very interesting. It's all about ingredients, not fancy sauces etc so find your nearest Italian deli. I will make the Chocolate Olive Oil Mousse tonight as that sounds very interesting.
    23 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 September 2024
    Great book and a great cook book
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 August 2021
    This is an interesting book from a well-known author. It would be better if it had some pictures and at least one map showing the area it's about.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 July 2021
    So a couple of weeks ago I was wondering whatever happened to Sophie Grigson. Google pointed me towards her blog about her (brave) move to Puglia. I stayed up far too late reading every post and then found out this book had just been released. This book is a real find with great recipes but also a real sense of people and place. I’m a bit of a cookbook obsessive - stopped counting them when I reached > 1000 as realised it was a pathology rather than a hobby….. This book has made me re-evaluate Sophie’s writing - maybe I just didn’t previously gravitate towards her books as I was a big fan of her Mums writing - but this book is up there with Jane Grigson, Elizabeth David, Simon Hopkinson and Lindsay Bareham. Have tried 10 recipies so far and all were really really good. It has no fancy overly styled photos so if this is your thing sorry. (But if you really think your food will turn out like that shot by professional food photographers and food stylist you probably are a bit delusional anyway. Have now ordered all the Sophie Grigson books I didn’t have…. Would really also recommend Travels a la Carte and Sunshine food which I have revisited after devouring this. Great book so get it…. I hope we get a vol. 2
    17 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 May 2024
    Loved every page, enjoyed Sophie’s sense of humour and chutzpah in moving lock stock and barrel to Italy.
    Enjoyed the recipes too, and learning about food in Puglia.
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • scrutator
    4.0 out of 5 stars Charming and Good
    Reviewed in the United States on 13 November 2022
    Charming anecdotes about the author's life in Puglia with excellent recipes. Perhaps not for inexperienced cooks who need detailed step by step instructions and photos, but the recipes I have tried have worked beautifully.
  • Jeanette Wellems
    5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book
    Reviewed in Germany on 30 September 2022
    I enjoyed reading this book at the beach in Puglia. Unfortunately as ebook(I decided there to buy it) so finding the recipes later is difficult. But as I know italian cooking esp. Pugliese I manage... Would love to meet her there. It is much more than a cooking book
  • ross cranston
    5.0 out of 5 stars Driven by curiosity
    Reviewed in Spain on 2 November 2021
    So much more than just a cookbook. The writing is flawless and assured as expected, but here she also draws you into her new life in Puglia. This is a woman in transition and the book expresses all of the shock and the many pleasures of the new. I have not yet cooked from it but feel the same assurance that I do with the books of her mother. Sophie has your back. Go buy it!