LAND OF MILK AND HONEY
by C Pam Zhang
When a friend asked me recently for a recommendation for her book club, “something somewhat new that probably most people won’t have read yet,” I couldn’t text her this title fast enough. I was riveted from the first page and raced through it at top speed, anxious and eager to see where Zhang would take her story next.
The author sets Land of Milk and Honey in a dystopian future where environmental factors, that have been caused by humans, have resulted in massive food shortages. The wealthy and well-connected citizens of the world have managed to escape “the smog” by moving to exclusive and secretive communities, many at high altitudes where some sunlight still reaches earth and the air is breathable. The novel follows the story of a young chef, hired to serve one such community, who finds herself drawn into their scientific schemes, while cooking foods that have been unavailable “down below” for a decade.
The chef grapples constantly with her conscience as she remembers the suffering of the people in her former life. But the more her employer asks of her, the more entrapped she feels. Add in a passionate romance and the web of emotions and obligations becomes even more complex. When the mountain can no longer support the community and the chef's employer is planning their next move, the chef must decide if she will follow them or take her chances back in 'the real world.'
In addition to writing an incredible novel, Zhang amazed me with her ability to infuse hope into an extremely bleak story. Despite technically being a dystopian novel, Land of Milk and Honey feels very close to home. I urge you to pick up this book, and I know I will be looking out for future books by Zhang. (Lily)
