Monday, April 23, 2007

Tatiana's Table by Paullina Simons

In her internationally bestselling trilogy, Paullina Simons introduced Tatiana Metanova, one of the most remarkable heroines in contemporary fiction. The unforgettable story of her lifelong love affair with American soldier, Alexander Barrington has warmed and broken hearts across the globe.

Now comes the final, delicious chapter: a collection of Tatiana's favourite recipes, the first truly epic cookbook, which spans the second half of the twentieth century and two continents, through times of war, times of famine, times of peace, and times of plenty.

Here are delectable peaks into the life and love of Tatiana and Alexander as well as their children and grandchildren. From traditional Russian cuisine to American staples, to exotic dishes with international flair, Tatiana's Table is full of twists and turns to delight readers and food lovers everywhere.


I am a huge Paullina Simons fan (including a mod on her reader forums) but as I read this book, I couldn't help but wonder about what the intention was when writing it. As far as I can tell, it is a response to requests for more Tatiana and Alexander, because it doesn't seem to add all that much to the trilogy.

Now that paragraph probably makes it sound as though I didn't enjoy this book, but I did! I really did, but this is definitely a book for existing fans of the trilogy that started with The Bronze Horseman, The Bridge to the Holy Cross (also published under the title Tatiana and Alexander in some places) and The Summer Garden. What I don't think that this book will do is to draw new fans to the series, because if you picked up this book having not read any of the others then you certainly wouldn't understand what was going on, and I doubt that it would really inspire you to pick up the other books.

So what is this book? It really is mostly a cookbook, which is interesting seeing as it was labeled as fiction at the bookstore. The book is broken into several sections that reflected various phases and locations throughout Tatiana and Alexanders life, starting from their childhoods, through the blockade of Leningrad, to Tatiana's time in New York and then a couple of other locations through to their life in Arizona.

Amongst the anecdotes, there are definitely things that build upon things that we already knew from reading the trilogy. For example, throughout The Bronze Horsemen we are told that Tatiana and her sister Dasha were very close, but this book actually shows that closeness - the way that when they were both starving during the blockade Tatiana and Dasha would cuddle under the blankets to try and keep warm and Dasha telling Tatiana how to cook many of their family favourites. There are also lots of other little interesting glimpses like Tatiana and Vicki in Vietnam, and small anecdotes about the other children who didn't really have a lot of focus on them in the earlier books.

My favourite anecdote was definitely Tatiana and Alexander's 50th anniversary celebrations, and the what if question that was asked. What if Tatiana had never found Alexander - would they have been apart forever or would they eventually find each other again.

Oh, and I should mention that some of these recipes sound really, really good! There are definitely a few that I am going to try one day!

The strange thing about Paullina's books is how little availability there is in other markets, particularly the US, especially seeing as she is an American author. The second and third books are only available through bookclubs such as Book of the Month Club and Double Day. I have no idea whether this book is going to be made available in the US or not, but if anyone is desperate to get hold of this one let me know and I can get you some links, or come to some arrangements to assist.

In summary, if you are already a fan of The Bronze Horseman trilogy then you will really enjoy this book. Paullina Simons has also confirmed that this is the last glimpse into Tatiana and Alexander's life - it is time to move on, and her next book, called The Bartered Bride is to due to come out in Australia and New Zealand in November! I am looking forward to it!

Rating 4/5

14 comments:

  1. I'm such a bad reader - I've never read "The Bronze Horseman". Hopefully someday....

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  2. It really is worth getting and reading!

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  3. Marg, thanks for letting me know about this. Still not sure if i'll get this one. If it's mostly a cookbook, since i cannot cook to save my life *sniff* no reason to get it then. But i loveloveLOVE the TBH trilogy... :/

    Well, i promise i'll pester you with "please get me the book" messages if i decided to have it. With WILD ROSE and BARTERED BRIDE and tim tams, perhaps? :P

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  4. The only book I read by Paullina Simons was "Tully". I was a little older when I read this book but it has been like 10yrs or so ago when I read it. I didn't know what to think of the book. However the book left me with so many emotion through out the whole pages. The characters were...so mess up but Simons did great job of writing these characters because she made me "feel" for them. In a bad or good way. Because "Tully" was the first book I read by her, that I kept the book in my book-keeper shelf. It wasn't a favorite for me but it was good book.

    I haven't read "The Bronze Horseman" but heard alot about it. By the way, great review! :)

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  5. I read the Bronze Horseman a few years back with the Oprah group. Although I liked it, I haven't read the others in this series. Then again, I don't think they are available in the US.

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  6. Harlot, the Wild Rose doesn't come out until May 2008. Just say the word and I will send the book to you!

    Julia, you really should read The Bronze Horseman!

    Stephanie, the other two books are available in the US from book clubs like Doubleday and Book of the Month club. I also know that there is at least one person who is regularly putting copies of them up on Ebay.

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  7. That is an excellent review, Marg. Makes me want my book NOW. LOL

    And let me just say, THANK YOU for not using spoilers. I find those to be faaar too tempting.

    -Kiki

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  8. I try not to Kiki, but it isn't always easy!

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  9. Totally agree with your review! This cookbook was a gift of Paullina to us fans of Tatiana and Alexander. It doesn't add anything new except the few glimpses of their lives we didn't read previously. Only who has read the trilogy should read thi book,otherwise it's difficult to get its "essence".
    SO with Tatiana and Alexander now it's really over,but only on the publishing side because the story still lives in my heart!:D

    Who hasn't read it,please do it,it's SO worth it!And thanks Marge for your help with TT!;)

    Evelina

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  10. Thanks for commenting Eve!

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  11. Argh!!! To this day I still can't find it in the US. And we are desperate to find it for our book club. If you have any knowledge about what's going on with it's availability here, would you be so kind to email me at ptss@rocketmail.com

    Thank you so much!

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  12. Hey, thanks for the review!
    I'm a huge fan of the trilogy, thus I'm extremely excited to have the chance to read more about T&A.
    I don't live in the US but still there's no way to get the book here, if by any chance you can help me with a link, I'll be so happy.

    that's my mail - Super.liaty@gmail.com
    thank you so much!

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  13. OMG, I'ma huge fan of the trilogy and I'm so damn excited that I have the chance to read some more about my favorite couple in the whole wide world.
    BUT eventhough I don't live in the US, the book is not avalibale in my country too, so if you could help me with a link - you'll become my new favorite person!

    here's my email adress -
    Super.liaty@gmail.com

    thank you for the review!!

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  14. It looks as though it is available from several online bookstores.

    Try Fishpondworld.com

    http://www.fishpond.com/Books/Tatianas-Table-Paullina-Simons/9780007241606

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