John Saturnall's Feast (Paperback)

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John Saturnall's Feast By Lawrence Norfolk Cover Image

John Saturnall's Feast (Paperback)

$17.00


September 2012 Indie Next List


“John Saturnall, raised by his healer mother, grows into an extraordinary cook in late 17th-century England, where he serves the landed gentry during intense political upheaval. His destiny lies in preserving the art of the ages-old feast at which all are treated as equals at the table. Clandestine love, intolerance, and intrigue are all mixed with recipes and brought to life in lush language. This novel has it all: a great story, writing at its finest, and a beautifully designed presentation!”
— Sheryl Cotleur, Book Passage, Corte Madera, CA

Staff Reviews


Set in 17th cenutry rural England, this is a great tale of a boy's will to survive by his wits and knowledge of food amidst the English Civil War. Rich in religious and culinary history, with folklore, a love story, and powerful narrative. May be my favorite book this fall.

— From Richard's 2015 and older picks

A beautiful, rich and sensuous historical novel, John Saturnall's Feast tells the story of a young orphan who becomes a kitchen boy at a manor house, and rises through the ranks to become the greatest Cook of his generation. It is a story of food, star-crossed lovers, ancient myths and one boy's rise from outcast to hero.

Orphaned when his mother dies of starvation, having been cast out of her village as a witch, John is taken in at the kitchens at Buckland Manor, where he quickly rises from kitchen-boy to Cook, and is known for his uniquely keen palate and natural cooking ability. However, he quickly gets on the wrong side of Lady Lucretia, the aristocratic daughter of the Lord of the Manor. In order to inherit the estate, Lucretia must wed, but her fianc is an arrogant buffoon. When Lucretia takes on a vow of hunger until her father calls off her engagement to her insipid husband-to-be, it falls to John to try to cook her delicious foods that might tempt her to break her fast.

Reminiscent of Wolf Hall and Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, John Saturnall's Feast is a brilliant work and a delight for all the senses.

Product Details ISBN: 9780802121738
ISBN-10: 080212173X
Publisher: Grove Press
Publication Date: October 1st, 2013
Pages: 432
Language: English