On an Autumn day in 1929, a three-year-old girl went missing from a beach in Lincolnshire. For a few moments, her mother had perhaps looked away, and in that time the child was kidnapped. A few days later the little girl was found, but the mystery of who took her and why she was abducted was never resolved. That stolen child was the mother of author Laura Cumming. …
Past Events
Excite your tastebuds as well as your mind with this book about the sensuality of food and its preparation. A modern retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac, the story revolves around Laura, an American exchange student in Rome; a handsome waiter named Tomasso, who allows Laura to believe he’s the restaurant’s chef; and the actual chef, Tomasso’s shy friend Bruno.
The Food of Love was Anthony Capella’s first novel. He is a fabulous writer and has gone on to write several more books, usually with a culinary element, including The Wedding Officer, The Empress of Ice-Cream, The Various Flavours of Coffee and Love and Other Chemicals. He has also written a novella, entitled Undressing.
Take time to savour The Food of Love, with its delectable descriptions of life in Italy, as well as its seductive recipes, and then come along on 30 April to discuss the book and its characters with Lucinda.
Our Book Club events are open to all, whether you’ve had the chance to read the book or not. These events are not recorded, everyone is unmuted and everyone gets the chance to meet other Goldster members.
Sara Barnes, who is 62, believes daily cold water immersion has unlocked her creative and romantic spirit. Her first two published books, The Cold Fix (Nov 2022) and The Winter of Our Lives (Nov 2023) are testament to that power. The Cold Fix is Sara’s deeply intimate story of overcoming physical and emotional pain following major leg surgery. Not about how to or where to go cold water swimming, but a touchy feely dive into the inner world of those who have made it a non-negotiable part of their lives.
The Winter of Our Lives is a mediative and uplifting novel set in the Lake District. The premise is: ‘Take three menopausal wild swimmers who need to find a man. Not any old man, but one who is prepared to dip his bits in very cold water’. Set against the stunning landscape of the Lake District, The Winter of Our Lives is a gritty, relatable love story for people who don’t want to give up on romance, passion or life as they grow older.
On her Instagram account @bumblebarnes she inspires people to be their own change, to age well and to find a passion that comforts you when things get too much. For her that is daily cold water immersion and writing. Join Sara as she chats to Lucinda Hawksley on 26 March.