A Story of an Unexpected Friendship - Dinner with Edward

Dinner with Edward by Isabel Vincent exceeded my expectations in some ways. In others, it pole-vaulted over them. I give it my highest praise for a book that celebrates food, friendship and family: my New Yorker Father, the chef, would have loved this story.

About that: Dinner with Edward is not a novel but a memoir, so the female main character is also the author. I didn't realize this fact until after I finished the story and did a little research. Until that point a part of me wondered if it was even plausible that a middle-aged journalist whose marriage was falling to pieces would befriend a nonagenarian mourning the recent loss of his ninety-five year-old wife. Unless Ms. Vincent is lying through her teeth, it seems that it is.

If you adore stories of New York, this book will give you plenty to add to your mental library of love. Same goes for you foodies out there; every chapter is headed by a menu almost guaranteed to make you drool. The descriptions of the meals are so well-written that you'll get hungrier with every page. What I enjoyed most were the two main characters, and how they helped each other through their grief simply by having dinner together and talking about life, love, and of course loss. I did wish that the author had made the female main character something other than a journalist, because I never met a journalist I didn't want to slap in the back of the head (remember, I thought it was a novel) but now that I know it's actually her job, I won't smack her.

Readers should also prepare for some sadness, especially when Edward talks about the wife he lost. I also had some rough moments when Isabel provided certain details on her disintegrating marriage. It's tough for me to find death or divorce entertaining. That said, it was important for my perception of the characters to know those grim moments, as it magnified the hope and pleasure they gave to each other through their friendship. I think if only we could all know someone like Edward, or Isabel, life wouldn't suck quite so much at times. I received an ARC of this book from Library Thing's Early Reviewer program in return for an honest review.

Memoir of Isabel, a 40-something woman (married, soon to be divorced) and a 90-something man (Edward) and how their friendship developed during several years of frequent gourmet dinners cooked by Edward during which he explains life, as he sees it. "A book about love and nourishment." Edward had lost his wife and his will to live; Isabel was a recent transplant to NYC with a daughter and a lousy marriage. Through the pleasure and enjoyment of good food, they bonded and nourished their souls with their friendship. It wasn't quite what I expected but their love and friendship shone through and I did enjoy the memoir.

A supportive friendship develops between 93-year old Edward and Isabel, a friend of his daughter. Based on a true story, Isabel Vincent tantalizes the reader with descriptions of the mouthwatering meals and drinks planned and prepared weekly by Edward.

Along with the heartwarming friendship which grows between the unlikely pair, we are treated to practical cooking advice.

The other touching aspect of the relationship is the memories shared by Edward of his wife, which really give us an understanding of the couple's long lasting marriage.

Thank you GoodReads for the book.

Another woman's biography has helped me understand myself in a way no self-help book has. It brought tears to my eyes.

To me, this book speaks to savoring the stories enlivening life. Transcending the search for ingredients, And the process for melding them together to create unforgettable dinners. Life not lived on the edge but in the quality of the moment in the comfort of the familiar. The recipes prepared and consumed by people consuming life as well.

And yes, an enlivened life includes loss, a balanced entree gains depth through the counterbalance of the bitter and the sweet.

I read through this book in less than 24 hours. I gulped it down. I wish I had lingered. It is a book to be savored.

But as with recreating a beautiful meal, I can return to this book. Hold it in my hands, curious as to what I will discover in the next reading.

Edward mourns his late wife’s passing when he meets Isabel, who never wants to love again. The book ramped up quickly, immediately absorbing this reader. Simple, effective writing kept me engaged. Although a great disparity in their ages exists, Edward and Isabel form a special bond. Mutual healing occurs from caring for each other and living life to the full. Vivid descriptions of food and dinner conversations greatly enhanced this lovely story. Edward is absolutely charming. I thank Netgalley and Alginquin books for the review copy.

This book is okay. I have no complaints about the material. I just cannot relate to any of the characters. I think the desired target audience should be anyone who has faced marital struggles or anyone who has special friendships with the elderly. I think I am too young to appreciate the unique friendship between them.

I loved this book. Edward was a very special and magical person. I wish that I could have had these dinners with Edward. It was a beautiful friendship where both parties benefitted and learned from each other. The ending was not the greatest but the book as a whole was a gem. I would recommend this book wholeheartedly .

A lonely woman befriends a lonely elderly man in this true story. Isabel is asked by her friend to look in on her friend's father, who has just lost his wife. Isabel and Edward talk and eat together. Edward shares secrets of his kitchen along with the secrets he has learned in life. A lovely little book.

This is an elegant, beautiful story that reminds us of how precious relationships are. It is a reminder to enjoy each moment with friends and loved ones, because time with them is limited. I loved this book.

A wonderful read...Engrossing, entertaining, and inspiring story...Excellent writing...Not a flawed sentence in the book...Some nice recipes too. Thank you, Isabel Vincent, for sharing your dinners with Edward with the rest of us.

Simply magnificent. What can be more fun than a wonderful friend and food to match? We need more of this cooperation between the generations, learning what each has to give, smoothing out the heartaches that life throws in our paths. I thought the writing was superb and the descriptions of the food beyond delicious. And yet we join these two more for their unusual bond and find our soul's satisfied.