Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal: A Review

Just One Reader's Review.

The week between Christmas and New Year’s is often a confusing one. The joy and excitement of the holiday has subsided and the world seems to be in a constant state of wonder. Being a teacher on winter vacation leaves me with no place to be and no obligations. I often spend that week finishing up my pile of “to be read books” and wondering what the new year will bring. Based on a recommendation, I started listening to the audiobook of Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal. Read by Amy Ryan and Michael Stuhlbarg, I found it to be the perfect mix of quaint midwestern characters and intricate storytelling.

Coming from a small town in the midwest, I can relate to a love of good, old fashioned cooking. I can also relate to the strong connection that is built between people and food. Stradal’s novel focuses both on an appreciation for cooking and the connections that we make through food. Each chapter of this delicious novel focuses on a unique dish and the character that inspires it.

“What an honor to live in a part of the world that loves good old-fashioned baking.”

I found the characters to be charming and reminiscent of the life I left behind in the Midwest. Throughout the novel, Stradal relays the stories of eight midwesterners. From Pat, a county fair baking champion to Will Prager, an aspiring musician the story unfolds in a way that revolves around Eva Thorvold. Eva is the epitome of a poor midwestern girl who makes it big in the cooking world, based on the kindness of others.

“After decades away from the Midwest, she’d forgotten that bewildering generosity was a common regional tic.”

Stradal masterfully weaves the story together around the life of Eva. Each story focuses on one character and a special dish in their life. Every story involves Eva, somehow. Sometimes, Eva is at the center of the story and we discover the intricate steps that led to her success. Other times she is just a minor character passing through, and we gain insight into the lives that she impacted. The entire story culminates at a large dinner event that showcases Eva and the influences she has had throughout her thirty years of life. The story is beautifully written and provides a pure feeling of nostalgia for any reader who can feel a connection with food and the people it brings into our lives.