Breaking Bread

More about the book

“More local color than a steamed lobster wearing wild blueberry bracelets, along with a mess of wistful nostalgia for any reader raised in Maine or New England.” —Portland Press Herald Nearly 70 renowned New England writers gather to discuss food and its role in sustaining us—mind, body, and soul. This award-winning collection of essays celebrates local foods, family, and community, delving into how our meals intertwine with themes of grief, pleasure, love, ethics, race, and class. Contributions include reflections from prominent literary figures and food writers, such as award-winning novelist Lily King, who shares her connection with her children through a chocolate chip cookie recipe; Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Russo, who recounts his changing feelings toward a soup his mother once snubbed; and Jennifer Finney Boylan, who discusses how cheese pizza has been a family staple through various challenges. Other essays explore beloved childhood foods from Iran, the trauma of starvation in a prison camp, and the comfort of baking for a friend in need. Rich and flavorful, this collection showcases influential voices from the literary and culinary worlds, illustrating how food shapes our experiences. Proceeds will benefit Blue Angel, a Maine nonprofit founded by coeditor Deborah Joy Corey, which combats hunger by providing food from local farmers to families in need.