Chocolate Cake for Imaginary Lives: a Collection of Short Stories

Chocolate Cake for Imaginary Lives is a debut short story collection by Genevieve Jenner that explores the role of food at the center of our lives, the place of women in the world, the messiness of life, and the joy of snatched moments in the midst of chaos. It is a book that the sexiest celebrity chef would take to read in bed, combining wit and frankness with vulnerability and strength.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 238 pages
Publication date: 21 March 2022
Publisher: Deixis Press

Chocolate Cake for Imaginary Lives is a captivating debut short story collection by Genevieve Jenner that delves into the realm of magical-realist food writing. Within these pages, Jenner takes readers on a journey into the imaginative lives of characters, where food becomes a central theme. From a Russian countess who cooks borscht for her socialist Parisian neighbors to unknown office colleagues who share secret recipes via the work fridge, the stories are filled with delightful and unexpected culinary encounters.

In one particularly captivating tale, steak is cooked at midnight on a Friday to circumvent Catholic prohibitions. The story unfolds as a thrilling sexual awakening, seamlessly blending the sensual and the symbolic. The metaphor of tired sandwiches and squashed fruit adds a layer of depth and complexity to the narrative, reflecting the messy and imperfect nature of life.

What sets Chocolate Cake for Imaginary Lives apart is not only its exploration of the role of food in our lives but also its profound examination of the place of women in the world. Jenner's writing is filled with wit and frankness, combining vulnerability and strength. Through her stories, she explores the complexities of human relationships, the messiness of life, and the joy of snatched moments in the midst of chaos.

Genevieve Jenner's writing is poignant and authentic, speaking directly to the soul. She has a remarkable ability to create characters that feel real and relatable, making the reader feel as if they are part of their world. The stories in Chocolate Cake for Imaginary Lives are filled with vivid descriptions and sensory details, bringing the reader fully into the culinary experiences.

In conclusion, Chocolate Cake for Imaginary Lives is a must-read for anyone who loves food, literature, and the exploration of the human condition. Jenner's debut collection showcases her talent for storytelling and her ability to create magical and meaningful connections between food, imagination, and the world we live in.

Weight: 324g
Dimension: 140 x 216 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781838498726