This Feast of a Life

Published 09/01/2025 | Paperback / softback,
Description:

From the author of If You Still Recognise Me comes a delicious story of two people brought together by a shared love of food as they figure out themselves and each other. Auden is finding different ways to be themself. The first – using their new chosen name, which feels most authentically them. The second – starting a food blog where they can share their passion for food, through family recipes and the stories behind them. And when the blog brings them Valerie, they discover more than they’d ever expected.

It’s been over a year since Valerie lost her mum – her beautiful, vibrant mum who loved cooking. Since her mum’s death, Valerie and her dad have drifted further and further apart, the kitchen left cold and empty, until Valerie finds Auden’s blog. The blog (and its writer) spark something in Valerie. Could she have found a recipe for happiness? Praise for THIS FEAST OF A LIFE: ‘This Feast of a Life has everything – tender romance, delicious food, complicated but healing familial relationships, and the complex, truthful process of exploring one’s identity… I have so much love for this book.’ Nadia Mikail, author of The Cats We Meet Along the Way ‘I devoured this delicious banquet of a novel. This is the non-binary coming of age story I needed as a teenager.’ Lauren James, author of Last Seen Online ‘A celebration of queer joy, friendship and culture … A richly woven story that will leave both your heart and your palate craving for more.’ Anika Hussain, author of This is How You Fall in Love ‘This Feast of a Life is a heartfelt love letter to food, queerness and Asian identity. To put it simply, I ate it up.’ Ann Zhao, author of Dear Wendy ‘Nuanced, compassionate explorations of non-binary identity, life after bereavement and the complexities of love and attraction, all garnished with food descriptions to make your mouth water. Cynthia So is an essential voice in queer British writing.’ Sophie Cameron, author of Away with Words ‘Beautifully depicts the uncertainty and splendour of exploring identity, grief, and all the delicious joy life has to offer.’ Racquel Marie, author of Ophelia After All ‘A gorgeous, effortlessly queer story of grief, love, and a whole lot of food. This Feast of a Life was truly a delight.’ Anna Zoe Quirke, author of Something to be Proud Of ‘This is the kind of queer coming of age romance that teens deserve, in all its messy complexity, from the raw edges of grief to the giddy flushes of first kisses.’ Rowan Ellis, author of Here and Queer ‘If Cynthia So writes it, I will read it. This Feast of a Life is an intricate, intimate, and beautifully written story of queer love and self-discovery; I ate it up in a single sitting.’ Sarah Underwood, author of Lies We Sing to the Sea ‘Cynthia So’s books are heart-healers, stories which grip and enthral but which also wrap the reader in warmth, acceptance and love. A feast, a celebration of life, and a book which leaves you filled with joy and celebration. It’s perfect.’ SinéadO’Hart, author of The Time Tider