Episode 3 - Show notes and recipes
In which we delve into the world of psychological thrillers and see how husband and wife writing team Nicci French "set the table" through food to give us further insight into characters' worlds.
It’s episode 3 and reading-wise we have a new experience for Sophie and a familiar one for Germaine. It’s the world of the psychological thriller and a conversation about how food writing can help pace a page-turning novel, add subtext to character development, create a time and place, and add a depth of emotional atmosphere. Join us as we enter the world of Nicci French and their latest book The Unheard.
This episode also sees us answer a letter about many changes happening in a short space of time and the ways in which adding transitional moments into the day can give breathing space and act as a bridge between our different worlds.
Click here to listen on Apple podcasts
Our thanks for this episode goes to:
We are lucky enough to again be sponsored by Kitchen to Table; a beautiful store based in Yamba, Northern NSW (and online) and stocked with absolutely everything you need for cooking, entertaining and more. Meredith and her team are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful plus they run wonderful cooking classes in store and in non-Covid times all over the world.
We will hear more from Meredith in the episode and in another special newsletter coming next week in which she shares her ‘something to eat’.
Thanks also to Sophie and Abby of Smith and Jones who have allowed us to use their song Secondhand Heart during this podcast.
Finally, our podcast producer Kristy Reading who adds her favourite psychological thrillers to the mix.
This episode’s book
Links to interviews we mention, books and articles we love;
This Good Reading podcast interview where Nicci Gerrard and Sean French talk about why they write psychological thrillers and why we see inside a character’s fridge or why gin and negronis feature in their writing!
An interview about Nicci and Sean’s writing inspirations and what they like to read (and drink and eat).
Nicci Gerrard’s piece on the Top 10 Dinner Parties in fiction.
Review of Meg Wolitzer’s The ten-year nap
Other books mentioned that explore Germaine’s relationship with psychological fiction.
Books that Sophie has turned to, instead of psychological fiction; The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, Barbara Trapido’s Brother of the More Famous Jack and A Kitchen Allegory by M.F.K Fisher
The meaning of food in crime fiction on The Conversation
Dining with death, crime fiction’s love affair with food on The Guardian
The New Yorker on the pleasures of the literary meal
Top 10 memorable meals in literature
Laurie Colwin’s recipe for being yourself in the kitchen
Sophie’s recipe recommendation
Rhubarb ‘soup’ and doll bread
This is a lovely old Danish recipe given to me by my friend Kristine. She used to make it for her two boys on cold afternoons and I did the same for my children when they were younger. After making it again this week, I can’t think why I stopped. The bright pink ‘soup’ (aka poaching liquid) is tangy, sweet and so delicious and the crunchy, caramelised ‘doll bread’ float in there, soaking up the liquid but keeping their crunch.
So delicious! And now, happily, back on rotation in our family’s roster of favourite treats.
Serves 4
Prep 15 mins
Cooking time 20 mins
For the rhubarb soup
1 bunch rhubarb, cut into smallish pieces
1/2 cup caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla paste or seeds from one vanilla pod
For the doll bread
20g butter
2 tbsp sugar
2 slices dark rye (or your favourite) bread, cut into small cubes.
Place the rhubarb, sugar and vanilla into a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Add three cups of water, stir to combine then cook on low heat for about 10-15 minutes or until the rhubarb is soft and the liquid bubbling away gently.
Meanwhile for the bread, place the butter and sugar in a frying pan on medium high heat. Once the butter has melted, give it a good stir into the sugar and tip in the cubes of bread. Cook for a few minutes or until they are golden and caramelised on all sides. Remove from heat and set aside.
Pour the hot rhubarb ‘soup’ into little glass bowls, top with the doll bread and enjoy. I hope you love this recipe as much as we do xx
Germaine’s book prescription
The Ten-Year Nap by Meg Wolitzer
I am prescribing this novel for our letter writer as she has undergone so many changes in a relatively short space of time. Change with motherhood and career is expected but throw in a relationship breakdown and the start of a new relationship, all around the same time as returning to full-time work does not leave much space to reflect on what has come before. This story is about four friends, living in New York. All are mothers who have stayed home and now their children are turning 10 and they are faced with working out who they are separate from their role of mother and what they want to do with the rest of their lives. I hope this story normalises so much change, offers hope for reinvention and gives space for the reminder that life is filled with a series of chapters and we need time to make the transition.
Meredith’s Something to Read
Meredith, our sponsor from Kitchen to Table shared a re-read of Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. I (Sophie) have not read this yet but after Meredith’s recommendation, so beautifully put, I am intrigued and can’t wait to start it.
References to southern food, grits, crab cakes, pecan pie and more. And Meredith is sharing a recipe inspired by this in next week’s newsletter! Thank you so much.
Kristy’s Something to Read
Our producer Kristy Reading (we love you Kristy!!!) who usually loves her escapism with a side of lovely and happy recommends the Girl on the Train this week. Such a fabulous book….
How to write to us!
If you would like a book and recipe recommendation to help navigate life at the moment, please write to us. Each letter we answer will also receive a bottle of wine from Single Vineyard Sellers. Click here to find out more about their wines on offer.
Email your letters to either Sophie at sophie_hansen@me.com or Germaine at newchaptersbibliotherapy@gmail.com
We would love to hear from you!
Sophie & Germaine x
We acknowledge that the land on which we work and live is the traditional land of the Wiradjuri Nation and Wallumedegal people. These people are the Traditional Custodians of this land and form part of the wider Aboriginal nation known as the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all First Nations people.
What an interesting and unique newsletter; I recently subscribed and I just caught up on the ones I missed. I enjoy reading these and look forward to more in the future. I love the book recommendations too.