Product Description

From the forbidden fruit of the Old Testament to the numerous laws broken at Francois Mitterand's final meal, In the Devil's Garden is a mouth-watering history of food taboos from around the world - a smorgasbord of culinary titbits to spice up any after-dinner conversation. In a history peppered with religious extremists who would rather starve to death than violate ancient taboos - and in an age when half the world's population - from cow-loving Hindus to Kosher Jews and Western vegetarians - still live with harsh dietary restrictions, Allen reveals just how significant, and pervasive, our relationship with food is.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #450107 in Books
• Published on: 2003-05-08
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 276 pages

Review
The alluring title of this follow-up to Allen's history of coffee entices the reader to sample his menu of forbidden foods and culinary taboos, all grouped together under the umbrella of the seven deadly sins. For every delectable morsel to tempt the tastebuds there are numerous others from another age or culture to make us wince with revulsion. The Romans had a penchant for spiced sow udders, rooster combs and whole dormice dipped in honey and poppy seeds, while President Mitterand's last meal before his death from cancer was of a traditional but outlawed French delicacy - the songbird known as the bunting, drowned in armagnac, roasted and eaten whole, the partaker having covered his head with an embroidered cloth. Alongside such bizarre and entertaining titbits there is wide-ranging comment on the anthropological, historical, political, social and religious aspects of food and eating. The author discusses the 'culinary segregation' of Native Americans and black slaves from their white masters and the divisiveness of the Hindu caste system and the Jewish dietary laws. He describes how food - be it potatoes in 19th-century Ireland or bread in 18th-century France - has shaped history, and also deals with more topical political issues such as the iniquitous promotion of infant formula milk in Third World countries and the threatened extinction of primates by a current fad for smoked monkey. This book sets out primarily to entertain with witty anecdotes, practical recipes - some more tempting than others - and a scattering of illustrations, and the author's treatment of this huge subject is inevitably, therefore, somewhat superficial. There is, nevertheless, a serious side to the work with a persuasive if familiar final argument linking social disintegration with changes in eating habits and an extensive bibliography for those wanting to read further. (Kirkus UK)

About the Author
Currently living in Brooklyn, STEWART LEE ALLEN has also called Kathmandu, Sydney, San Cristobel, Calcutta and San Francisco home. He is the author of the award-winning fiction collection The Art of Rape as well as his acclaimed history of coffee, The Devil's Cup.

Customer Reviews

Delicious!
What a fantastic book!

In the Devil's Garden is divided into eight sections (one for each of the seven deadly sins plus one for luck!)Part travelogue, part gourmet treat, part history book, this book ticks so many boxes you won't be disappointed.

The book is incredibly well researched and is written in a highly entertaining, often humourous way. There were parts where I was almost crying with laughter....the part where Allen was rubbed down with a guinea pig was particualrly amusing (if you want to know why, you'll have to read the book!) I particualrly liked the idea of Louis XIV's courtiers having a 'hissy fit' when chocolate was introduced to France. I can picture it really clearly!

A great book that you can read in one sitting, or dip in and out of. Good present for foodies. Recommended.

A good accompaniment to the coffee book
A fairly enjoyable book with an entertaining style .It is a humorous look at the history of food fads. Those looking for a serious tome might find this one a little light for their digestion. For those looking for historical quirks, good tales and a good laugh and who are not too pedantic, this makes a good snack of a read.

A good accompaniment to the coffee book

sometimes tasty - often moorish!
Well, this was a little surprise! I picked this up with some trepidation; not knowing if i was to read a tedious speel about religion and grub and whatnot.

My worries were unfounded. This was a veritable smorgasboard of the most unusual facts and heresy's regarding food i have ever heard. Roll on obscure food questions on high prize quiz shows!

In all seriousness i read this as i have a vested interest in food, i trained and worked as a chef for a few years, but this is a cracking book that would appeal to anyone fond of trivia or the pedant on a mission.

I must also make quick mention of the writing style; descriptive, to the point & very easy - he wants us to enjoy the book, not feel as though we are at a lecture & has the talent to make this happen. The book is more easily readable and sun-lounger suitable than many high street fiction novels.

For those in search of something new, this is well recomended, as is the same authors book on coffee; the devils cup.

If this is hell's kitchen - its good eatin'!!