For readers of Paula McLain, Nancy Horan, and Melanie Benjamin, this captivating novel is inspired by a little-known interlude in the artist’s life.
“A tasty blend of romance, mystery, and French cooking.”—Margaret Atwood, via Twitter
The French Riviera, spring 1936: It’s off-season in the lovely seaside village of Juan-les-Pins, where seventeen-year-old Ondine cooks with her mother in the kitchen of their family-owned Café Paradis. A mysterious new patron who’s slipped out of Paris and is traveling under a different name has made an unusual request—to have his lunch served to him at the nearby villa he’s secretly rented, where he wishes to remain incognito.
Pablo Picasso is at a momentous crossroads in his personal and professional life—and for him, art and women are always entwined. The spirited Ondine, chafing under her family’s authority and nursing a broken heart, is just beginning to discover her own talents and appetites. Her encounter with Picasso will continue to affect her life for many decades onward, as the great artist and the talented young chef each pursue their own passions and destiny.
New York, present day: Céline, a Hollywood makeup artist who’s come home for the holidays, learns from her mother, Julie, that Grandmother Ondine once cooked for Picasso. Prompted by her mother’s enigmatic stories and the hint of more family secrets yet to be uncovered, Céline carries out Julie’s wishes and embarks on a voyage to the very town where Ondine and Picasso first met. In the lush, heady atmosphere of the Côte d’Azur, and with the help of several eccentric fellow guests attending a rigorous cooking class at her hotel, Céline discovers truths about art, culture, cuisine, and love that enable her to embrace her own future.
Featuring an array of both fictional characters and the French Riviera’s most famous historical residents, set against the breathtaking scenery of the South of France, Cooking for Picasso is a touching, delectable, and wise story, illuminating the powers of trust, money, art, and creativity in the choices that men and women make as they seek a path toward love, success, and joie de vivre.
Praise for Cooking for Picasso
“Intrigue, art, food, and deception are woven together in a tale of love and betrayal around the life and legacy of Picasso. Touching and true, this well-written narrative made me long for my mother’s coq au vin and for the sun of Juan-les-Pins.”—Jacques Pépin, chef, TV personality, author
Subscribe to Updates
Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.
What's Hot
Previous ArticleThe Thirteen Hallows
quite enjoyable for readers of historic fiction
Writing has made me perhaps too critical a reader. At the risk of missing out on a good story, I have returned this book to the library unread.
Here are a few passages from the first chapter that made me cringe and stop reading.
. . . that sudden change in the wind as it rustled significantly through the pine tree’s branches. (What in the world does rustled significantly mean?)
. . . shook her head and said crisply, . . .
. . . she asked curiously.
“What am I, a donkey?” Ondine demanded indignantly.
. . . Ondine answered warily.
Her mother glanced around decisively.
As Stephen King says, “The adverb is not your friend.”
An author who peppers her verbs with adverbs and even worse feels the need to explain dialogue by adding an adverb to a tag line is either insecure, amateurish or just plain lazy. So much for the idea that traditional publishing houses do any editing.
From my article The Author’s Guide to Avoiding Pesky Pitfalls, Part I:
Pitfall No. 2: Using Adverbs to »Explain« or Punch up Weak Dialogue.
While some insist there are no ironclad rules when it comes to fiction writing, explaining dialogue by way of adverbs that modify tag lines comes close in my book. Dialogue must stand on its own and any attempt to explain it will weaken your writing. For a thorough discussion of why the professional writer is wise to avoid explaining dialogue, see chapter 5 of my favorite »how-to-book« Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, by Renni Browne and Dave King.
On pages 86-87, you’ll find these examples:
»Don’t worry, the radiation level isn’t very high,« Tom said glowingly.
»Keep scrubbing until you’re finished,« she said harshly.
An accomplished writer would replace the adverb modifying the speech tag with a beat, which results in showing in lieu of telling.
She pointed to the dirty floor. »Keep scrubbing until you’re finished.«
Peter Bernhardt, Author: The Stasi File, 2011 ABNA Quarter Finalist; Kiss of the Shaman’s Daughter [sequel]; Red Romeo;
http://tinyurl.com/a7rnpql – http://sedonaauthor.com – https://tinyurl.com/ycyvps3b
One of the best books I have read. Could not put in down. The characters were awesome and the descriptions of the towns, Picasso ‘s house and his paintings. The story was the best!!
A believable fictionalized account of a young girl’s relationship with Picasso in dreamy Souther France
I enjoyed reading this book. The characters were very real and interesting to learn about.
I really enjoyed the way the author told the story, jumping back and forth between generations. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Interesting “what if” story of a fictitious character who meets Picasso during a period of his life when she cooks and ultimately poses for the great artist. Clearly the author is an art lover with an appreciation of Pablo Picasso. I found myself compelled to view images of the paintings described.
Farfetched and overly romantic view of the characters. Didn’t finish it.
An interesting insight into Picasso, wonderful food descriptions and a great historical perspective of times in the south of France during the times in which Picasso was painting some of his most famous works.
Very good. Full of information about Picasso and very entertaining.
I love art, cooking, history and French language and culture. It was the perfect book for me! It was interesting and informative.
Fictional story, based on historical fact. Gave an insight into the life of this great artist, while also twisting it around an interesting, very scenic and memorable story. Not as expected! Truly enjoyed this one.
Did not want this book to end. Enjoyed very much!!
What a creative mind. I love historical fiction and this one is filled with great characters and a plausible What if? Storyline.
This book was very enjoyable!
Lots of fun twists. Good for cooking fans and those who like art.
Loved, loved this book- I love historical fiction & I am a retired chef-so loved the story, history & food!
I really liked this book. It was very original and entertaining.
A fun mystery mixed with a desire to experience more French cooking. I really enjoyed this book.
Interesting insight into the artist and the gifts of creativity in the kitchen, art, and navigating life.