Bon Appetit

 

Julia
By Heather B. Moore
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing
Publication date: September 2, 2025
Print length: 384 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1639934256

 Publisher’s Blurb:

Before she stepped into the spotlight as a master of French cooking, Julia Child navigated the shadows as a WWII intelligence officer.

 On the sunny shores of California, Julia McWilliams is poised to embrace a life of comfort and financial security, with a marriage proposal from a wealthy man to consider. But as World War II erupts in the US, her patriotic fervor compels her to abandon her secure future. Trading country clubs for covert codes, Julia joins the Office of Strategic Services, where her sharp mind aids the Allied cause in the shadowy realm of espionage.

 Amid strategic missions in Ceylon and China, Julia crosses paths with Paul Child, a fellow OSS officer whose delight in art, culture, and cuisine awakens a new hunger within her. Their chance meetings ignite a spark that blossoms into romance, leading to a proposal that Julia eagerly accepts. Together they embark on a new chapter in postwar Paris.

 In the City of Light, Julia grapples with a different kind of challenge: She refuses to be confined by the societal expectations of a married woman. Drawn to the tantalizing world of French gastronomy—a pursuit her peers deem superfluous—she enrolls at the famed Le Cordon Bleu, and with Paul’s unwavering support, Julia immerses herself in her new passion.

 Facing skepticism and prejudice in the male-dominated kitchens of Paris, Julia’s resolve never falters. Her relentless pursuit of culinary mastery not only transforms her own life but also introduces a revolutionary change in kitchens throughout America. From intelligence officer to beloved chef, this is Julia’s extraordinary journey.

 My Thoughts:

While this is not a straight-up biography, it is an exceedingly well-researched book.

 I had heard that Child was a “spy” during WWII, which is a bit of an exaggeration. She did work in intelligence, and had a gift for pulling together information and drawing conclusions from it.

 More importantly for all of us, Julia loved food. From a privileged family, she only knew how to cook a few things. But when she met Paul Child through her work, he opened her eyes to the beauties of the cuisines of the various countries they were stationed in. He praised French food and, fortunately, after their marriage, Paul was stationed in France. Julia fell in love with the cuisine. She was also frustrated by her inability to cooks, so she started to teach herself from one of the famous cookbooks of her day. She then progressed to a course at the famed Cordon Bleu school, then eventually linked up with a couple of French women as their American contributor to a comprehensive French cookbook.

 It would be a cheat to say “and the rest is history.” There were a LOT of struggles, both personal and professional, along the way, and the book details them. But Julia’s positive and personable attitude takes her far, all the way into the new realm of television. The book ends with the beginning of Julia’s first Public Broadcasting series, covering about 20 years of her life in all.

 Because this book straddles the line between fiction and non-fiction, it’s not a super exciting read. It doesn’t pull you along, excited every moment to see what’s next. That’s not to say it’s not a pleasant read, it’s just a different way of reading. There are a LOT of names dropped, and occasionally it’s difficult to keep all these people straight, especially as they keep popping up in different countries. The relationship between Julia and her husband, Paul, is so sweet and supportive, despite their trials. Relationship goals!

 Possible objectionable material:

There’s a vague indication that a man might be gay (he’s not). Drinking wine. Infertility. Paul has a romantic past; Julia has not. Unmarried men and women live together. Smoking. Mention of women who “sell themselves.”

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

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