I wanted to like this more than I did. It's a decent story that mostly kept me interested, but I never got invested in it. I would still recommend it for people interested in Victorian historical novels because of its fresh views.

Based on a true story, Abbs imagines the life of the first woman who successfully wrote a recipe book. In 1835, new ingredients were arriving in England, but what to do with these new foods and spices was unknown. When there’s no market for Miss Eliza Acton’s poems, it is suggested by her publisher that she write a cookery book. Recently impoverished by her father’s bankruptcy, Eliza and her mother rent property to run a boarding house. While her mother is horrified that Eliza wants to enter the kitchen and become the cook, Eliza succeeds in her wish and hires Anna, a young girl whose father is a drunk and her mother is in the lunatic asylum. Told in tow voices, that of Eliza and that of Ann, narrators Ell Potter and Bianca Amato masterfully carry the story forward in the aristocratic voice of Eliza and the uneducated voice of Ann. Not only is the book an introduction to how British cooks were introduced to more interesting flavors, it tells the story of a determined spinster to create the life she wants as well as the horrors or growing up in poverty in 19th century Britain. I was especially impressed with how Abbs gave Ann a strong voice as she shared her impoverished life.

I read and listened to this book and adored both!

This book is like warm comfort food and a great big hug. And even though there aren't any recipes listed within the book, you feel and taste and smell the comfort of food and the people who create it contained within.

Annabel Abbs story is told from Eliza and Ann's perspectives. In the 1800s England, theres a class system, a time of expectations for women. The individual stories of past history and future expectations for both Eliza and Ann are well written. The reader can't help feel for Elizas dream of having her name published, but dealing with her mother's beliefs on her spinsterhood or the deep poverty and family woes for Ann.

This is a journey of friendship, of knowing your capabilities and not letting society put a wall up preventing you from realizing that goal. I loved every minute reading this book. Imagine sitting in a kitchen listening to the chef as she concocts a new recipe. Imagine listening to the household as it talks about guests and staff behind their backs. And imagune not only those delicious smells, but the wondrous tastes of that food as it's presented at your table - this is the feeling you get page after page.

For those who love Downton Abbey or Upstairs Downstairs, this is the book for you. Mrs. Beetons Cookery book had over 900 pages. Abbs really helps you understand the joy and tiresome work that went into the minute details of each recipe. I truly hope this book gets picked up for a tv series. It's something I would truly enjoy!

Thank you netgalley for this arc. This is a book I will not forget!

This was an enjoyable listen. I particularly loved the details of the different Victorian-era foods throughout the novel. The two narrators did an excellent job with the two leading ladies (though on a personal level I greatly preferred Ann as a character). Eliza was sometimes frustrating in utter blindness to any problems other than her own, though perhaps this is believable for someone from her station in life.

The ending was slightly weak, mainly in its resolution of the "twist," if you can even call it that.

Overall, a richly drawn historical narrative which I greatly enjoyed, even with a few weak spots. I would like to read Abbs's other books.


***Thanks to Netgalley for the arc of the audio***

Based on the real life poet and cooking writer Eliza Acton, this is superb historical fiction. The language of the novel is poetic itself, and the description of food, spices, and cooking is both beautiful and mouth-watering. Told in alternating voices and chapters by Eliza and her young kitchen maid Ann Kirby, this is also about mothers and daughters, women's friendships, and dreams for self-determination at a time when women's lives were narrow and dictated by others. This will make a "meaty" discussion book (pun intended). Excellent audio version.

It's Nonfiction November and everywhere you look readers are talking about all the great nonfiction they are reading. If you haven't read much in nonfiction since your school days. Well, you aren't alone. A few years ago I was in the same boat. How did I get started reading (and enjoying) nonfiction? I read fiction (mostly historical fiction) that was based on real people or events. These dramatizations led me to want to know more about the person or event. If you are finding yourself wanting to read nonfiction but not quite ready (or not sure where to start) to take the plunge, then I have the perfect book for you today - Miss Eliza's English Kitchen by Annabel Abbs.

Eliza Acton was a Victorian-era poet and food writer. She revolutionized cooking in many ways. The economic hardships of the time meant that fewer middle-class families were able to employ a cook. Indeed, for Eliza it was the reduced circumstances her family found themselves in that led to her creating a cookbook that everyday housewives could use. Our modern-day cookbooks are written in the way they are (with a list of ingredients and straightforward instructions) thanks to Eliza Acton.

Miss Eliza's English Kitchen is a fictionalized account of the early years that Acton and her assistant Ann Kirby spent devising and testing recipes in Acton's monther's boarding house. (There is no mention of an assistant either on Acton's Wikipedia page or any Google search except in relation to this book). Acton spent 10 years creating her cookbook, but the story is confined to the beginning.

I don't typically read books set during the Victorian era and I had trouble getting into the book at first. I'm glad I listened to it on audiobook. While it was an interesting story I think I personally would have had trouble reading it for myself due totally to the time period. The book reminded me a lot of Jo Baker's Longbourn and a bit of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. If you are a fan of either of those books, then you will definitely enjoy this book.

I really liked the characters. Abbs gave them depth - even the minor characters who were guests at the boarding house. I picked up the book mainly because of my interest in cooking and my love of cookbooks. But there is as much time (possibly more time) spent on bringing these characters to life through the sharing of their personal life.

The book begins many years after the completion of the cookbook when Ann's current employer gives her a cookbook for domestic cooks. Ann immediately recognizes the recipes as the ones she and Eliza worked on, yet it isn't Acton's name on the cover. The reader is then transported to the past. This isn't exactly told by Ann or even following on her memories as we are introduced to Eliza and Ann before they ever met.

There are a lot of secrets to be uncovered and societal norms to overcome which adds intrigue to the story. It is much like what we saw in the British television show and movie Downton Abbey.

Speaking to television, Miss Eliza's English Kitchen has been optioned by CBS Studios and Stampede Ventures. So you will definitely want to pick up this book now because you know the book is almost always better than the screen adaptation.

My review is published at Girl Who Reads - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2021/11/miss-elizas-english-kitchen-by-annabel.html

Miss Eliza's English Kitchen: A Novel of Victorian Cookery and Friendship (audio version) draws the reader in with this story of historical fiction that touches on female friendship, class, and sex roles of mid 1800s England. Told from the alternating perspectives of impoverished Ann, the kitchen help, and Eliza, mistress spinster of the house, readers who are interested in both food and upstairs/downstairs stories. with well developed characters. and attention to period details. The narrators perfectly capture the historic times and class through vocabulary and diction. Readers will be happy to learn a little bit about the real life English writer, Eliza Acton.

Just finished this this book this morning. I enjoyed listening to the reader. I believe her voice made me want to continue to listen to the book. I also believe it would be a good read and would hold my attention. Although the friendship between Eliza and Anne blossomed more than what I thought would be usual for the time, I was glad that it happened. I really felt for Anne throughout the entire story. It seems as though she has to endure so much it's almost too much for one young adult to handle and it follows her right into adulthood.

Miss Eliza's English Kitchen
by Annabel Abbs
Pub Date: November 16, 2021
Harper Audio

Thanks to Harper Audio and NetGalley for the great book listen! I enjoy audiobooks when I am driving.
Annabel Abbs, the award-winning author of The Joyce Girl, returns with the brilliant real-life story of Eliza Acton and her assistant as they revolutionized British cooking and cookbooks around the world.

Before Mrs. Beeton and well before Julia Child, there was Eliza Acton, who changed the course of cookery writing forever.
Enjoyable book!
4 stars

I listened to this historical fiction-cookery novel and was delighted and famished while doing so! The recipes described were told in mouth-watering detail and the characters were brought to life by exposing in fine detail the troubled times they lived in and each facing the obstacles of their places in society. Tenacity, luck and temerity won the day for two women who were bonded by their love of food in all its glory and the bonds of friendship that we all long for. I loved this book and hope to see more from this author in the future. Perfect for fans of The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner.

Based on the real life of Eliza Acton, a British poetess who teamed up with a kitchen maid to write one of the foremost cookery books in England. This is a story of female friendship, women's role in Victorian society and the differences between the classes.

Told in alternating perspectives from Eliza and her maid, Ann Kirby, we get to know what life was like for each of these. Ann's story in particular is one of hardship as she is forced to work to help support her disabled father and her mentally ill mother who has been institutionalized.

Highly recommended for fans of upstairs/downstairs stories, Downton Abbey or Julie and Julia. I loved learning about Eliza's multi-faceted life and the challenges she faced trying to publish her work as a woman and the passion she found for cooking and creating recipes that would be more practical for the average cook. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ALC!

Though I knew nothing of Eliza Acton and the first popular use book of cookery, this novel filled me in and was delightfuly performed on audio. Told in alternating chapters by Eliza and Anne Kirby, her assistant in cooking and eventually life, the reader/listener is immersed into the life of Victorian ladies and English kitchens (and mores) of the time. Truly appealing to all the senses, both Anne and Eliza develop into full characters as they move through their lives and collaborate on Eliza's commissioned cookery book, her hopes at financial independence expanding all the while.

The narrator did a wonderful job with the audio recording. It made me want to keep listening to the book everywhere I went. I love shows like Downton Abbey and enjoyed the story very much.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an audio-ARC of Miss Eliza's English Kitchen: A Novel of Victorian Cookery and Friendship by Annabel Abbs, narrated by Ell Potter and Bianca Amato.
A Victorian-era novel about cooking and an unlikely friendship narrated in British voices is a perfect combination for a long car ride. Annabel Abbs creates characters that are three-dimensional, well-rounded, and perfect for their roles. The book shows life in England in the 1800s from both a peasant girl and her mistress. The author uses descriptions that appeal to all the senses. Descriptions of London, the food, the characters make the book come alive.
Both Ell Potter and Bianca Amato add voice to the characters through their language, inflection, tone, and speed.

If you love historical fiction based on real people, you will love this book! So many of my reading friends are looking for lighter fare these days. Miss Eliza’s English Kitchen completely fits the bill and is the perfect antidote to COVID 19 overload. This is not a light and fluffy read, as the Victorian era was not pro woman. Eliza is writing a cookbook- a first for the time. Ann is her helper and from the lower class. Despite their differences, their relationship is refreshing. They each have their share of family problems. The theme of creating a cookbook is highly appealing. There is so much to love in this book. I am a fan and will be promoting it far and wide. It will make a great gift book.

Ell Potter and Bianca Amato’s narration of the audiobook is spot on. Their pacing built tension and fueled the emotions in the story. I would have loved to listen to this book in one sitting.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to listen to this alc in exchange for an honest review.

This copy was an audiobook. I really enjoyed this recording. The narration was well done.

As to the book, I will certainly buy the print copy and read it. The story is told from Eliza’s view and from Ann’s view. It tells what cooking was like in England. Based on a true character I found the story well written and the plot fascinating.

Well done, Ms. Abbs!

I enjoyed this audiobook.
An unlikely pair of women come together to write a cookbook and form a friendship. I liked both of the characters. Their personalities, backstories, and relationship were well developed. The situation, place and time came to life vividly for me. I could picture how these people lived from the author's description and narrative. Both characters were very strong women. They made choices that were not common or accepted among women at that time.
The references to recipes and cookery in Victorian England were fascinating. The author researched this topic to the point that I could smell the food. The novel is based on the true story of the first modern cookery writer, someone I had never heard of before. I cannot comment on how accurate the story may or may not be, but this is historical fiction. Whatever liberties the author may have taken formed an entertaining story when intermingled with actual events.
I had never read this author before, but I would read her books again. This is good historical fiction that I would recommend to readers of women's fiction and those who are interested in English history as well as the history of cooking.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Wonderful female characters, great setting and food! I will be book talking this to our book clubs this fall. I'm always appreciative of historical fiction that is not war based!

I’m a sucker for historical fiction that takes place in England. Eliza was a bold woman who choose a life that she wanted and not what was the norm during that time period. She was a writer of poetry, plays, and her own recipes for a cookbook. When her father is exiled Eliza and her mother have to run a boarding house to make ends meet. Ann is the scullery maid and ends up helping Eliza with her cookery book. They form a bond and a true friendship over the recipes they create. Eliza had a chance to marry and help her family out of debt but knows in her heart she would not be happy as a wife in high society. This was was hilarious especially when one of borders, couldn’t keep his pants buttoned up. It was also heartbreaking when we learn that Eliza had a daughter out of wedlock and her sister was raising her. Eliza wants her daughter back but realize she is best with her sister, the only mother that she has known. This would be great for a book club. I also loved that it was based on real people.

I received an ARC of this audiobook for an honest review. It was so interesting-learning all about Victorian cuisine, spices, how food was served, the ins and outs of kitchen ingredients during that time period. So many rich details in this book. The story about Eliza and Ann was also lovely-each learning how to be a better person from the other. However I found the ending to be rather abrupt and unsatisfactory. The narrators were excellent and were a perfect fit for this book.