Heartburn by Nora Ephron

If you haven’t read Ephron’s hysterical first novel,  a thinly disguised account of her marriage and subsequent divorce from the Washington Post journalist Carl Bernstein, I highly recommend it.

Seven month’s into her second pregnancy, cookbook writer Rachel Samstat (Nora) discovers that her husband Mark (Carl), a journalist, is having an affair with Thelma Rice, a woman she describes as having,  “a neck as long as an arm and a nose as long as a thumb.” (Margaret Jay, wife of the British Ambassador)

Between crying jags, murderous rages, and trying to behave as if her life is completely normal, Rachel cooks.  Her favorite recipes, especially her famous key lime pie, which has starring role at a memorable dinner party, are included.

As funny today as it was FORTY years ago. (Yes, I bought a copy of the FORTIETH anniversary edition.)