A Bowl of Olives by Sara Midda Review!

ABOUT THE BOOK

From the author of the international bestseller In and Out of the Gardenand the wondrous sketchbook Sara Midda’s South of France comes a long-awaited treasure of a book. Drawn from the artist’s wealth of impressions and memories, it is a book for lovers of food and art and fine gift books—a book for anyone who, upon arriving in a new town, seeks first the local market, or who believes the best thing to do on a given night is to share a table with friends. 

Sara Midda is a watercolorist whose delicate and beautiful paintings shine like jewels, evoking the sweet purple taste of a summer raspberry or the silvery greens and gnarled burnt umber of an olive grove. And she is also a collagist, weaving together photographs, line drawings, her personal swatches—all the hues of a spice cabinet, or the sensations of a picnic, the colors of the breeze, sunshine, laughter, the cooling grass. And a poet, in love with words that sing, like podding and wicker, nettle and snug. 

By turns reverent and playful, A Bowl of Olives is a work of pure enchantment, celebrating food—of the seasons, of family, of travel and memory. It is as richly layered as a favorite meal. 

The book is cloth-bound, jacketed, and printed on uncoated stock to convey the feeling of an artist’s sketchbook.

About the author

Sara Midda is an artist who lives in West Sussex, England, and previously lived in the south of France. Her most recent book is Artisan’s children’s activity book How to Build an A.

MY THOUGHTS

A Bowl of Olives is one of those cute little books you pick up just for fun. Full of delightful illustrations in each chapter, recipes scattered through the book that range from Onion Tart to Tarragon Chicken. Lots of food memories and descriptions of how to do place settings and having a picnic. I loved reading through this little book, the only complaint I had is the print is pretty tiny. the wonderful illustrations make up for it though. It is one of those little books you could keep on the coffee table, even though it is a small book, for your guests to look through.

I received a copy of the book for review and was not monetarily compensated.