Book tip: "Cooking in the wrong century": Great fun

2023-05-16T11:17:47.334Z

Highlights: "Cooking in the Wrong Century" by Teresa Präauer is a novel of an evening and an invitation to dinner. The novel sheds light on art, working conditions and apprenticeships in such detail that it almost tempts the reader to laugh out loud with pleasure. But you also feel caught, as the narrative subtly shows how these themes reflect our own reality. Full of recipes for a successful life and a failed evening that starts again and again, clever, funny, cheerful, at the same time accompanied by the subliminal or openly articulated aggression of those involved.

If you're looking for a book that offers a mix of culinary delights and contemporary observations, then you should read "Cooking in the Wrong Century."

Note to our readers: If you make a purchase through the links included, we will receive a commission from partners. This does not change anything for you.

After a couple has moved into a new apartment and the rooms are mostly furnished, there are still a few boxes left here and there. Nevertheless, the narrator is considering inviting some friends to officially inaugurate the apartment. As an adult, she wants to prepare dinner for them, as is customary. Without any previous experience and a lot of optimism.

Novel: Teresa Präauer "Cooking in the Wrong Century": About the book

A fantastic novel about the first dinner invitation and its pitfalls. "Cooking in the Wrong Century" by Teresa Präauer © Panthermedia/Imago/Wallstein/Montagebild

In their entertaining conversations, both large and small topics are covered. They exchange views on phenomena such as the dissemination of "food" images on the Internet and reflect on cooking, shopping and living as social practices. As the evening progresses, the atmosphere becomes increasingly comical, tragic and even erotic. Modern terms and their meanings are also discussed, while the hostess herself is not exactly talented in her role and sometimes feels transported to the wrong century. Along the way, amusing anecdotes tell stories about goods, food and the art of cooking.

Ultimately, being able to be a hostess means having grown up. The novel of an evening and an invitation to dinner. Full of recipes for a successful life and a failed evening that starts again and again, clever, funny, cheerful, at the same time accompanied by the subliminal or openly articulated aggression of those involved.

Blurb/Wallstein

Novel: Teresa Präauer "Cooking in the Wrong Century": Conclusion

"Cooking in the Wrong Century" is a well-composed novel in which food, drinks, memories, thoughts, dialogues and scenery are carefully coordinated. In her work, Teresa Präauer experiments with three different variants, in which small details change the course of the evening and thus enable different developments.

The novel sheds light on art, working conditions and apprenticeships in such detail that it almost tempts the reader to laugh out loud with pleasure. But you also feel caught, as the narrative subtly shows how these themes reflect our own reality.

Teresa Präauer

Teresa Präauer was born in 1979 and studied German language and literature and fine arts. She is an author who works for Wallstein Verlag. Her novels "For the Overseas Ruler", "Johnny and Jean" and "Oh Schimmi" have been published there. She has also published the major essay "Becoming an Animal", the story book "Happiness is a Bean" and the collection of stories "Girls". The theoretical foundations for the short story collection "Mädchen" are based on Präauer's Zurich Poetry Lectures, which took place at the end of 2021. Teresa Präauer lives in Vienna.

Source: merkur

All life articles on 2023-05-16

Book tip: "Cooking in the wrong century": Great fun

Novel: Teresa Präauer "Cooking in the Wrong Century": About the book

Novel: Teresa Präauer "Cooking in the Wrong Century": Conclusion

Also Read

Teresa Präauer "Cooking in the Wrong Century"

Teresa Präauer

Trends 24h

Latest