Crescent

Wuthering Bites Book Club Review at a Glance

What We Said

Our book club chose this book because of the promise of an engaging and passionate love story (according to the synopsis). After a few months of reading serious non-fiction, the wonderful, but dark White Oleander, and a depressing novel about prostitution in the 18th century, we welcomed the opportunity to read a good, old-fashioned love story. Unfortunately, our response to Crescent was lukewarm at best. Some liked the cooking descriptions while others found them to be forced, much like the wooden love story. The main character had little character, and was not very compelling to most of our book club. Although it does lend itself to some wonderful thematic food choices. And we had a delicious meal from recipes straight out of the back of the book (see below). So, read at your own risk, in the right frame of mind, you may just like it.
—Steph

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Diana Abu-Jaber lives in Florida and teaches at the University of Miami. She is also the author of Arabian Jazz.

• Crescent
• Arabian Jazz

From the Publisher

"Abu-Jaber's voluptuous prose features insights into the Arab American community that are wisely, warmly depicted."—San Francisco Chronicle. Thirty-nine-year-old Sirine, never married, lives with a devoted Iraqi-immigrant uncle and an adoring dog named King Babar. She works as a chef in a Lebanese restaurant, her passions aroused only by the preparation of food—until an unbearably handsome Arabic literature professor starts dropping by for a little home cooking. Falling in love brings Sirene's whole heart to a boil—stirring up memories of her parents and questions about her identity as an Arab American. Praised by critics from The New Yorker to USA Today for her first novel, Arabian Jazz ("an oracular tale that unfurls like gossamer"), Diana Abu-Jaber weaves with spellbinding magic a multidimensional love story set in the Arab-American community of Los Angeles. Written in a lush, lyrical style reminiscent of The God of Small Things, infused with the flavors and scents of Middle Eastern food, and spiced with history and fable, Crescent is a sensuous love story and a gripping tale of risk and commitment.

These recipes can also be found in the back of some editions of the novel. We thoroughly enjoyed all the dishes that WutheringBites member Susan prepared for our discussion. More book-themed recipes

Tabbouleh - Homemade tabbouleh is wonderfully fresh and light.
Mjeddrah - A comforting mix of rice, lentils and lightly caramelized onions.
Gh'rayba - Light and tender cookies with just a hint of orange blossom water.
Stuffed Grape Leaves With Lamb Shanks - We had a vegetarian version of stuffed grape leaves from a deli, but if you have the time and patience, try these.