From the Publisher
"In Miss Eliza's English Kitchen, Abbs serves up a brilliantly imagined tale in which Eliza Acton finally gets the recognition she deserves. A feast for the senses, rich with the flavors of Victorian England, I prepared every dish with Eliza and Ann and devoured every page. A literary—and culinary—triumph!" — Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of When We Were Young & Brave
"I love Abbs’ writing and the extraordinary, hidden stories she unearths. Eliza Acton is her best discovery yet." — Clare Pooley, New York Times bestselling author of The Authenticity Project
"An effervescent novel, bursting with delectable language and elegant details about cookbook writer, Eliza Acton. Don’t miss this intimate glimpse into the early English kitchens and snapshot of food history." — Sara Dahmen, author of Copper Iron and Clay: A Smith’s Journey
“A sumptuous banquet of a book that nourished me and satisfied me just as Eliza Acton’s meals would have... I adored it.” — Polly Crosby, author of The Illustrated Child
"Wonderful...Abbs is such a good story teller. She catches period atmosphere and character so well." — Vanessa Nicolson, author of Have You Been Good
“In Miss Eliza's English Kitchen, we learn of the bankruptcy that forced Eliza into genteel poverty and her father into clandestine exile, of Ann’s desperate attempts to cope with a ne’er-do-well father and a mentally ill mother... Eliza and Ann take turns narrating, but at all times food is foremost.”
— New York Times Book Review
“An empowering read about the woman who changed cookbooks forever … It’s a story of independence and resilience that also celebrates the legitimacy of the culinary arts.” — Good Housekeeping
"Desperate to get your Downton Abbey fix and love a good historical fiction read that's inspired by a true story? Miss Eliza's English Kitchen is just what you need." — Country Living
“Beautifully written by bestselling author Annabel Abbs, this engrossing novel tells the tale of real-life poet and feminist Eliza Acton, who was well-known for her poetry, but less so for her major innovations in food and recipe writing.” — Organic Spa Magazine
“Abbs chooses the brilliant tactic of giving both Eliza and Ann equal time as point-of-view characters in this novel; because their voices are so distinct, and because they occupy such different classes, we get a portrait of Victorian domestic life that is both encompassing and finely detailed…” — Historical Novels Society, "Editor's Choice"
“A fascinating, long overdue tribute to the unconventional Eliza Acton, the woman who revolutionized the English cookbook. Ann’s and Eliza’s drives for independence is inspiring, and their passion for cooking will awaken readers’ inner chef.” — Library Journal (starred review)
Good Housekeeping
An empowering read about the woman who changed cookbooks forever … It’s a story of independence and resilience that also celebrates the legitimacy of the culinary arts.
Vanessa Nicolson
"Wonderful...Abbs is such a good story teller. She catches period atmosphere and character so well."
Country Living
"Desperate to get your Downton Abbey fix and love a good historical fiction read that's inspired by a true story? Miss Eliza's English Kitchen is just what you need."
Hazel Gaynor
"In Miss Eliza's English Kitchen, Abbs serves up a brilliantly imagined tale in which Eliza Acton finally gets the recognition she deserves. A feast for the senses, rich with the flavors of Victorian England, I prepared every dish with Eliza and Ann and devoured every page. A literary—and culinary—triumph!"
Polly Crosby
A sumptuous banquet of a book that nourished me and satisfied me just as Eliza Acton’s meals would have... I adored it.
New York Times Book Review
In Miss Eliza's English Kitchen, we learn of the bankruptcy that forced Eliza into genteel poverty and her father into clandestine exile, of Ann’s desperate attempts to cope with a ne’er-do-well father and a mentally ill mother... Eliza and Ann take turns narrating, but at all times food is foremost.”
Clare Pooley
"I love Abbs’ writing and the extraordinary, hidden stories she unearths. Eliza Acton is her best discovery yet."
Historical Novels Society
Abbs chooses the brilliant tactic of giving both Eliza and Ann equal time as point-of-view characters in this novel; because their voices are so distinct, and because they occupy such different classes, we get a portrait of Victorian domestic life that is both encompassing and finely detailed…
Organic Spa Magazine
Beautifully written by bestselling author Annabel Abbs, this engrossing novel tells the tale of real-life poet and feminist Eliza Acton, who was well-known for her poetry, but less so for her major innovations in food and recipe writing.
Sara Dahmen
"An effervescent novel, bursting with delectable language and elegant details about cookbook writer, Eliza Acton. Don’t miss this intimate glimpse into the early English kitchens and snapshot of food history."
Louise Treger
A captivating debut about love, creativity, and living in the shadow of a genius. Abbs recreates the extraordinary story of Lucia—James Joyce’s daughter and gifted dancer in her own right—in language as sensuous and richly alive as Lucia’s dancing.
Natasha Lester
"Brings to life 1920s Paris excitingly and beautifully...I loved Lucia's character."
Jeanne Mackin
"Annabel Abb's novel about James Joyce's daughter is an unforgettable and daring look at a time and place when everything seems possible...This is a rich, gorgeous novel of the Jazz Age and a woman's struggle to escape the boundaries imposed by the men in her life. A must-read!"
Emma Darwin
Abbs has found a gripping and little-known story at the heart of one of the 20th century’s most astonishing creative moments, researched it deeply, and brought the extraordinary Joyce family and their circle in 1920s Paris to richly imagined life.
Mary Talbot
Here is Lucia Joyce, vibrant, passionate and alive, telling her own story. Profoundly moved by Lucia’s tragic life, Abbs has crafted a moving tale of thwarted ambition and personal tragedy.
Lyn G. Farrell
"A mesmerizing story with characters that leap off the page. Brilliantly written and so authentically imagined it left me wiping my tears...A masterpiece!"
Library Journal
★ 09/01/2021
Poet Eliza Acton is initially insulted by the suggestion that she write a cookery book. She refuses to entertain such a notion, until her father faces bankruptcy. Suddenly, organizing recipes and creating culinary delights are her only options. To aid her in this endeavor, she hires Ann Kirby, a woman living in desperate poverty. The two women, though from vastly different backgrounds, forge an unlikely friendship as they work tirelessly on Eliza's recipe book. Told from the dual perspectives of Eliza and Ann, this novel, based on actual events, chronicles the challenges they face due to gender and class; family pressures and obligations; and their hopes and dreams. Eliza's recipe format, the first of its kind, is still used today. With Eliza's writing skills and Ann's organic talent for cooking, the women made a formidable team. Eliza broke barriers and has been a model for many future English authors and cooks alike. VERDICT Abbs (The Joyce Girl) has written a fascinating, long overdue tribute to the unconventional Eliza Acton, the woman who revolutionized the English cookbook. Ann's and Eliza's drives for independence is inspiring, and their passion for cooking will awaken readers' inner chef.—Julie Whiteley, Stephenville, TX
