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The Book of Salt
The Book of Salt
Author: Monique Truong
The Book of Salt serves up a wholly original take on Paris in the 1930s through the eyes of Binh, the Vietnamese cook employed by Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. Viewing his famous mesdames and their entourage from the kitchen of their rue de Fleurus home, Binh observes their domestic entanglements while seeking his own place in the world. I...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780618446889
ISBN-10: 0618446885
Publication Date: 6/15/2004
Pages: 272
Rating:
  • Currently 3.2/5 Stars.
 46

3.2 stars, based on 46 ratings
Publisher: Mariner Books
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed The Book of Salt on + 27 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
A New York Times Notable Book - life of Vietnamese cook working for Gertrude Stein and Alice B Toklas in Paris. Very sad that this gay young man's' life was so undermined by circumstances and the people around him. Lyrical writing. Look for all mentions of the sources of salt.
reviewed The Book of Salt on
Helpful Score: 3
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is well-written and imaginative. I love a book that makes me think and inspires me to learn more. The Book of Salt sparked me to research how Stein and Toklas, two Jewish lesbians, managed to live in occupied France during the Nazi reign. Google is your friend
reviewed The Book of Salt on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Unusual and imaginative.
jareylee avatar reviewed The Book of Salt on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Very introspective book. Little action, not plot-driven. Narrator is the main character.
galnsearch avatar reviewed The Book of Salt on + 143 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is a very well written book. I'm looking forward to reading Monique Truong's next novel. 'Salt' is primarily the story of the Vietnamese, homosexual, chef, Binh. He is employed by Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas who are lovers and bisexual. The images of the social scene in France during the 1930's are vivid and the regressive scenes of his childhood are poignant. The sexual images are not graphic and are not the main point of the book.

Donna V.
Read All 17 Book Reviews of "The Book of Salt"

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bookgoddessme avatar reviewed The Book of Salt on + 106 more book reviews
I hated this book, as much as I LOVED Monique's first book Bitter in the Mouth. Mind you, this book is well written, and depicts an interesting time period and characters. So I had to ask myself, why are you so anxious to burn through this book, and I suspect it is that I loathed the main character and narrator. I found Binh to be hopeless, depressing, and awful to read about and experience his very tragic life experiences. I am certain that other people will enjoy this book. It was just not for me, and I could not wait for it to be over.
bigrachwoowoo avatar reviewed The Book of Salt on + 23 more book reviews
This book was very well written. Excellent descriptions and character development. It's one of those books that I liked so much that I won't send it out on PBS because I know I'll want to read it multiple times.

Book Wiki

People/Characters
Gertrude Stein (Major Character)
Alice B. Toklas (Major Character)
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