The Book of Perilous Dishes - by Doina Rusti (Paperback)

About the Book

Originally published in Romanian as Mãa÷ta Vinerii in 2017 by Polirom.

Book Synopsis

Historical fiction meets fantasy in The Book of Perilous Dishes, a playful tale of dark magic and epic adventure that traverses Europe at the turn of the 18th century.Bucharest. 1798.A year full of intrigue and political machinations.Master chef Silica reigns supreme, sought after by all. His cooking is sublime, satisfying even the sophisticated tastes of the Greek Prince, who steals him from his rightful owner and installs him in his Palace. Little does anyone know that Silica guards the magical Book of Perilous Dishes, filled with recipes with the power to brew potent elixirs of truth, shroud minds in forgetfulness, unveil the future with eerie precision, and provoke bouts of uncontrollable laughter.When 14-year-old Pâtca, steeped in the occult arts, embarks on a mission to recover her family's recipe book, she discovers her uncle murdered and a map that needs deciphering. As she embarks on an adventure across Romania, France, and Germany, her journey unveils family secrets that unearth history, weave magic, and unite destinies.Written by an award-winning author of contemporary Romanian literature, Doina Rusti, and translated by Bucharest-based English professor, James Christian Brown.

Review Quotes

"A deftly crafted and impressively original novel that will be of particular interest to fans of coming-of-age stories featuring fantasy, adventure, crime, and historical drama"--Midwest Book Review

"mayhem, mysticism and murder"--TripFiction

About the Author

Doina Ruști is among the most important contemporary Romanian writers and is widely appreciated for the epic force, originality, and erudition of her novels. Her award-winning novels have been translated into many languages. Doina lives in Bucharest and is a university professor and screenwriter.