Broccoli and Other Tales of Food and Love

Each of Lara Vapnyar''s six stories invites us into a world where food and love intersect along with the overlapping pleasures and frustrations of Vapnyar''s uniquely captivating characters. Meet Nina a recent arrival from Russia for whom colorful vegetables represent her own fresh hopes and dreams . . . Luda and Milena who battle over a widower in their English class with competing recipes for cheese puffs spinach pies and meatballs . . . and Sergey who finds more comfort in the borscht made by a paid female companion than in her sexual ministrations. They all crave the taste and smell of home whereverand with whomeverthat may turn out to be. A roundup of recipes are the final taste of this delicious collection.