Initially I didn't like Ms. Pandl's humor, but it grew on me, and by chapter 3 I was really enjoying it. I loved her description of a hangover, or her father's reaction to the fact that she liked 'lite' beer. The last few chapters of the book she used a device of repeating some phrases in small paragraphs over and over again. I kind of liked it the first time, but it grew old and I didn't really think it added anything to the book.I did enjoy it over all and would probably read something else by her. Julia Pandl absolutely nails this memoir with a writing style that drew me in from the start and didn't let me go until the end. Even though I am from a small family, I sympathized as Pandl described the ups and downs of being the youngest of nine siblings. I've never eaten at the restaurant run by Pandl's father--despite living within 20 miles of it my entire life--but I still laughed at her descriptions of the crazy Mother's Day brunch and the agonies of cleaning bucket after bucket of shrimp. Pandl brings out the humor in everyday situations, but between the lines, the reader can feel her pain. And when life dealt her some serious blows, Pandl changes the tone of the book without losing the thread that holds it all together--which is the lifelong love that exists between daughters and their fathers. There aren't enough simple, joyful books like this. I hope Pandl writes another one soon.
Do You like book Memoir Of The Sunday Brunch (2012)?
enjoyed this memoir; especially latter part as Julie is helping her aging parents.
—Shahi
Skimmed. Seemed like a nice enjoyable midwest restaurant family memoir.
—jsten87
Could have used a good editor - the story was all over the place!
—nabilahhx3
