It all started with a knife.
In 1952, Julia Child sent author Bernard DeVoto a French knife from Paris in response to an article he had written in Harper’s about the inferiority of American blades.
Bernard’s wife Avis responded, and a lively correspondence began that would transform both women’s lives.
As Always, Julia is a collection of the letters of Julia Child and Avis DeVoto during the years when Julia and her husband Paul, a member of the Foreign Service, were principally living abroad, and Julia was composing the book which would become Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Not only did Avis introduce Julia to U.S. publishers, but she served as confidant, editor, and tireless recipe tester for the cookbook project.
But the letters cover topics other than cooking. The women exchange spirited and surprisingly frank opinions on McCarthyism, parenting (Avis had two sons,) books, travel, and marriage.
You do not have to be a chef to enjoy this book. (And that would be me!) Absolutely delightful!
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Tags: Avis DeVoto, Julia Child, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Paula Child