Memoir of the Sunday Brunch
by Julia Pandl
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Pub Date Nov 13 2012 | Archive Date Nov 27 2012
Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill | Algonquin Books
Description
At age twelve, Julie was initiated into the rite of the Sunday brunch, a weekly madhouse at her father’s Milwaukee-based restaurant, where she and her eight older siblings before her did service in a situation of controlled chaos, learning the ropes of the family business and, more important, learning life lessons that would shape them for all the years to come. In her wry memoir, she looks back on those formative years, a time not just of growing up but, ultimately, of becoming a source of strength and support as the world her father knew began to change into a tougher, less welcoming place.
Part coming-of-age story a` la The Tender Bar, part win- dow into the mysteries of the restaurant business a` la Kitchen Confidential, Julie Pandl provides tender wisdom about the bonds between fathers and daughters and about the simple pleasures that lie in the daily ritual of breaking bread. This honest and exuberant memoir marks the debut of a writer who discovers that humor exists in even the smallest details of our lives and that the biggest moments we ever experience can happen behind the pancake station at the Sunday brunch.
Advance Praise
“[A] tenderhearted, humorous debut . . . The majority of her stories reflect the loving, chaotic atmosphere of her family, both in and out of the restaurant kitchen, but Pandl doesn't sugarcoat the darker ones with unnecessary sentimentality . . . Sweet, simple and often funny.”—Kirkus Reviews
“A witty and affectionate debut from Pandl, . . . rife with colorful recollections of familial adventures . . . Her parents, whom she calls Terry and George, are kooky for sure, but when George is in boss mode, he transforms into a twitching, tongs-wielding, dining-room tyrant. But it’s all part of the lovable, unforgettable package that is George—which makes Pandl’s story all the more poignant as she writes of Terry’s illness and death, and later, George’s own illness and dependence on his children . . . There’s much to relate in this worthwhile read, from funny family and workplace tales to thoughtful musings on faith, mortality, and loyalty.”—Publishers Weekly
“This is the author’s first book and it’s a winner . . . Pandl’s recounting of her youth is hilarious. But she is also capable of pathos and as her parents age and die, I wept along with her. I definitely recommend this book and look forward to Pandl’s future endeavors.”—Reviews for You
“Pandl's debut memoir is charming, companionable, cozy and smart—just like the ideal Sunday brunch!”—Martin Kihn, author of Bad Dog: A Love Story and House of Lies
“Pandl's Restaurant in Milwaukee is a Midwest tradition: What makes Julia Pandl’s memoir shine is not only its charm and humor, but also its insiders' look at how high standards and love equals extraordinary food. In Memoir of the Sunday Brunch she cooks up a delicious story that deserves a wide audience. We thank her for the memories.”—Jacquelyn Mitchard, author, The Deep End of the Ocean
“I don’t use the word ‘charming’ often, but that is the word that kept coming to mind as I read Julia Pandl’s memoir. Funny, sad, sweet, inspiring, every page wrapped in genuine emotion and sharp-eyed wisdom, Memoir of the Sunday Brunch is the work of a writer we’ll want to watch.”—Keith Dixon, author of Cooking for Gracie and The Art of Losing
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781616201722 |
| PRICE | $13.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 256 |
