Novel Food #8: Mare’s War by Tanita S. Davis
July 18, 2009 | Filed Under Books, Food Blogging Events, Novel Food
"Fall out! Wipe your masks and fall in! We are going to do it again!" Lieutenant Hundley hollers out as she open the door. With our legs shaking, we march out.
Much later, we march half-time back to camp. My eyes are swollen, my nose is snotting, my throat is sore, and I still got vomit on my shoes, but I went through my gas drill over and over and over, and I made it. When I pass her on my way to barracks, Hundley say, "Well done, Private," and gives me a nod. I can barely open my eyes, but I know she means it.
We got to do it again tomorrow.
But I am not scared. I am not scared of nothin’ now. I got blisters on my heels, my hands is cut up, my shoulders are sore from marching with a pack, and I can’t never get enough sleep, but I wouldn’t trade nothin’ for this. Not a thing.
Didn’t nobody ever tell me I was this tough. Didn’t nobody ever tell me no girl could work this hard, and nobody never said that work this hard could give you pride. My nails might not be nice enough for polite folk, and my face might not be clean, but I earned my place in this man’s army. I earned it.
And ain’t nobody gonna make Marey Lee Boylen go home.
~ Mare’s War (p. 102)
It’s time for the 8th Novel Food, the culinary/literary blogging event co hosted by Simone of Briciole and Lisa of Champaign Taste. I recently read Mare’s War by Tanita S. Davis, a book which I wholeheartedly enjoyed and decided to make my Novel Food choice.
Mare’s War is about two teenagers, Tali and Octavia, who are forced to go on a cross-country road trip with their grandmother. During the trip, they find out more about their grandmother, who’s called Mare (pronounced like the French word Mère, which means mother. She feels she’s too young to be called Grandma.). The girls are surprised to learn that Mare ran away from home at a young age, lied about her age, and joined the African American battalion of the Women’s Army Corp during World War II.
I found it fascinating to learn about this group of women that I never knew existed and how they played an important part in the war. Both the narration of the young girls and their grandmother mesmerized me from the first page of the book, to the last. Really good story. I loved how the book is filled with all types of tidbits — historical, humorous, sad, serious and more. It left me with a good feeling at the end.
There’s a section in the book, where Mare is in the army and peeling potatoes to make potato salad. I suppose everyone has made potato salad before but I never did. The passage in the book inspired me to try it. Easy! The ingredients consisted of red potatoes, onions, mayo, egg yolk, vinegar, salt, pepper.
If you’re interested in participating in the next Novel Food, check out the guidelines here.
Thanks for putting this event together, Simone and Lisa. It’s always fun to read a good book and be inspired to make a dish.
I’ll be back later in the week to post a link to the lineup of other Novel Food participants. Stay tuned.
Paz
Ed. Note: You can find the first roundup of Novel Food entries at Briciole and the second roundup at Champaign Taste. Check them out when you have time, you’ll find a great list of books AND inspired-created meals.
There are potatoes in the mess, and we got to fix potato salad for Sunday dinner. Potatoes is something I know — Mama made me peel potatoes, snap beans, and mix up biscuits for Sunday dinner back home since I was eight or nine. I peel potatoes like I was born doing it.
"Marey Lee," Annie say, "now, how do you do that, make the peel all come out in one curl?"
I just grin. I might not know nothing about nothing in this man’s army, but I sure can handle myself in a kitchen. Miss Ida should see me now. "Just hold your knife like this," I say, and all my squad turns toward me. Sure feels good to teach them something for a change.
~ Mare’s War (p. 77)
Comments
12 Responses to “Novel Food #8: Mare’s War by Tanita S. Davis”
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An interesting novel… That potato salad looks delicious!
Cheers,
Rosa
What an interesting idea and book! I’ve already reserved it at my local library, I should have it mid-week. My Mom makes the best potato salad!
I love both excerpts from the book. The very last sentence made me grin: it exudes pride. The novel sounds very interesting. I like how the potatoes link Mare’s past and present life. And your potato salad looks delicious. Thank you so much for participating!
This book is anew one for me.Books ans movies always inspire me to cook . Your salad looks so creamy and good.
You remind me that was a long time that i didn´t read a book Was the time when I read 4 books for month. Shame on me
The novel sound very interesting. A few years ago I read a interesting book. Is about two women cooking during the word war II Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. In fact meanwhile Gertrude wrote, Alice cook. The name is Alice B. Toklas cookbook. Is highly recommended.
Yay for Tanita’s Book! Glad you liked it!
Paz - you’re rapidly becoming my favorite PR person. Thanks for the shout-out! And your potato salad looks SO good. My parents lived in Germany briefly, and my mother used to make a potato salad that contained potatoes, fresh homemade mayo, mustard, a diced apple, sweet pickles, hard boiled eggs and red onions. The apple is, I think, an acquired taste, but it was really good.
Happy Reading!
Hi Rosa: Interesting and fun book to read.
Hi Melissa: I highly recommend this book. I think you’d really enjoy it. I’d love to taste your mom’s potato salad.
Hi Simona: The character was very proud of herself.
Hi Courtney: Thanks! Check out the book when you get a chance.
Hi Sylvia: Thanks for recommending Toklas’s book. I’ll look for it.
Hi DaviMack: I didn’t like the book. I LOVED it!
Hi Tanita: Keep writing those wonderful stories. Your mom’s potato salad sounds really special. I’d love to taste it, especially with the apple in it. Mmmm!
Thanks, everyone, for stopping by!
Paz
Lovely post - and glad to hear that you liked Tanita’s book. Hope to read it myself one day
The book sounds wonderful! I love the cover, too. Beautiful illustration. This is the time of year to make potato salad! I’ve been making it recently, though the last time was a bit too salty.
Great rundown of the book and tie-in of a recipe!
The author’s name was familiar and I realized I read A La Carte by her from the LAST Novel Food roundup.
Interesting book!
I think every homemade potato salad cant be any worse.