cinnamon and gunpowder (audio) book review

Cinnamon and Gunpowder

It is travel season for the holidays. Whether you are hitting the road or taking to the skies, chances are you are going to need a good book.

If you love mouthwatering descriptions of food and pirates, I have just the thing for you – Cinnamon and Gunpowder by Eli Brown. What can be more entertaining that a spirited story of high seas piracy, and fine cuisine?

Set in 1819, the story starts with the kidnapping of Chef Owen Wedgewood. Cloaked in the trappings of adventure, his procellous* story touches on injustices, fond reminiscences, and the gradual growth that comes from learning from your experiences, no matter how set in your ways you may be.

Our protagonist thinks of the world completely in terms of food. His first thought, while outraged at the kidnapping, centers more on the state of the ship’s cook, kitchen, and pantry. In addition, cares for his sourdough starter as though it were a baby.

Later on, when he is finally rescued from an ill-fated escape attempt, this is how he describes himself laying on the ship’s warm wood: “I pooled on the deck like a well-aged brie.” And on it goes throughout his story. 

For those of you who savor the sight of word on paper should definitely read the book. Take this description of Pirate Mad Hannah Mabbot, “She glared at me with storm water eyes. Her hair was still in braids and her brow and neck were exposed, browned from the sun and densely freckled. Those freckles were hypnotic in the candlelight, trembling where her pulse danced, cinnamon shaken into a bowl of milk.” Swoon!

However, listening to this book has its merits. James Langton narrates the story like a proper posh one, he does. The way he reads about one of Chef Wedgewood's low points in his plummy British accent evokes a devastation that will make your heart ache. “My joy broke, like a yolk forked,” and it feels like my joy has broken.

Whichever format you choose, this book will make long car rides, interminable layovers, and even contentious cousins a delight.

Caution: you may gain 20 pounds just by listening to this book.

* Procellous was today’s word of that day and I really wanted to use it. procellous (proh-sel-uhs ) adjective, stormy, as the sea