Eating Heaven

Eleanor Samuels is a very special heroine and while reading this novel I felt that she was a real person. Rarely do I get attached to a fictional character, but she was so easy to relate to (except, thankfully, for the part about having someone close dying of cancer). Also rarely, books do not linger in my mind for long, and this novel is an exception for me. Several times since I finished the book I have stopped to reflect on the lessons Ellie learned and how she handled learning them with such grace and normalcy.

Anyone who has ever had a love/hate relationship with food and dieting will surely understand this quote (from page 80): "To hell with food and its false love, its deception. It lures you in, says, 'I'll make you feel better, show more I'll be there for you.' And then it drives everyone else away."

I don't feel that any review I could give this book would live up to its meaningful subject and poignancy. I'll just say it's the best book I've read in a long, long time, even if it did make me sob throughout the last 50 pages. Read this one and then go hug the people you love and tell them you love them for who they are. show less

I absolutely loved this novel. Jennie Shortridge writes a gem of a book filled with a perfectly paced plot that seamlessly slides between Eleanor's present difficulties and ties them to past memories. The plot continually deepens the reader's understanding of Eleanor's character and actions. At the heart of the novel is a woman's journey to understand a healthy relationship with food in a society where butter and sugar are evil and feelings of guilt are tied to every forkful of spice cake. A beautiful book that reminds us to live everyday as if it is our last.

My book club chose this and I was expecting less than what I got. Eating Heaven looked like "chick lit" to me; it sort of is, and is also more.

This is the story of Eleanor Samuels, a freelance food writer. Her uncle Benny is dying and she tries to look after him and piece together the mystery of layers of family secrets which have affected relationships among family members. This is a story about taking care of yourself and those you love. Well written, light but not fluffy...and you'll learn how to make "shecret shauce", too.

At first I thought this book might be chick-lit light or have too many issues tucked into it to be believable. There are a lot of issues dealt with but in a believable way (although sometimes things were just a little too convenient). Shortridge really made me care about her characters. The best part for me was that Shortridge didn't feel the need to tie everything up with a ribbon at the end.

Really enjoyed this book.
Not typical chick lit, which I found refreshing.
Overweight (but not burdened by it) Ellie is a freelance food writer unlucky in love.
The book is mainly about her relationship with her family; as well as her uncle who has cancer and has been like a father to her.
Filled with mother - daughter angst, eating disorders, therapy, bad boyfriends, peoples responses to the obese, control issues, love.
Well written, beautiful story about truly "finding yourself"
Looking forward to more work by this author.

At first I thought this book might be chick-lit light or have too many issues tucked into it to be believable. There are a lot of issues dealt with but in a believable way (although sometimes things were just a little too convenient). Shortridge really made me care about her characters. The best part for me was that Shortridge didn't feel the need to tie everything up with a ribbon at the end.

I was ready to dismiss this book as chick-lit about eating disorders. I'm glad I read reviews by others here at LibraryThing because it kept me reading. The whole palliative care and dying issue was excellently handled. This is a fine novel after all.