The Secrets of Pistoulet: A Fable of Food, Magic & Love

Enchantment, beautiful artwork, and empathic cooking mark the success of this book that touches readers' hearts in places often forgotten.At first, because of a marketing display at a local department store, I thought The Secrets of Pistoulet was not for individual sale, but could only be obtained by purchasing Pistoulet dinnerware. The book so touched me, I briefly considered buying the darn dishes! Luckily, I found the book right here, standing on its own. It hardly needs its own china to promote sales; in fact, the opposite may just be true. This little book is a great marketing ploy to sell the whimsical, pastel dishes that are said to be the very plates used to serve the magical Potages created at Pistoulet. A marketing genius, I tell you, but that is beside the point.The book is lovely, simple and true-to-heart. Tucked with mouth-watering recipes, paintings, photographs and excellent folklore, this book reminds us that food does not just feed the stomach - it feeds the soul. I plan to keep it displayed in my kitchen with a simple spray of herbs and oils, to be read by any lost soul who happens to pass by...

This book is one that I share with all my dear friends. I read it to a friend of mine who had just lost her dad, with whom she had sat as he lay dying of cancer in the hospital. She was returning home after settling his estate and stayed the night in my home. I read it to her as she fell asleep. When she awoke the next morning, she said that it was her first night of peaceful sleep in a long time. My reading this story to her aloud had had touched her so deeply that she decided to share it at her father's memorial service. I loved Griffin and Sabine as well, but the two books should not be compared. I loved this as much as Like Water for Chocolate and Babette's Feast. A ne pas manquer.

A magical tale of food, wine, France, and flowers, Secrets of Pistoulet is a great book to read and cherish. I love the accompanying dishware recently launched by Pfaltzgraf. A perfect hostess gift-- the only problem is that you may change your mind in the last minute and keep it yourself.

Secrets of Pistoulet has such a divine simplicity you may at first not recognize the unique depth and richness of spirit. This has become the one must have book for all my friends. In fact, this is one "Secret" I intend to share with anyone near and dear to me. I found this book to be an inspiration for anyone who loves to cook, to think, to be amused and touched. The illustrations perfectly match the mood and peacefulness of the whole experience. You will find yourself coming back to this small wonder over and over.

A truly enchanting book, the apparent simplicity of which is deceiving. The book tells the story of the heroine's journey from a place of dispair to a spiritual rebirth. I found the book to be sensitive, uplifting and heartwarming. Yet it isn't cloying or obvious. It left me with a smile and a sense of peace. I strongly recommend it for anyone with an appreciation of illustrated books, and also for those who can enjoy a fine book, even if it doesn't quite fit the ordinary mold.