Papaya Salad

What a stunningly beautiful book! Told through the eyes of the author's Great Uncle Sompong, we learn about his experiences in Europe during World War II and how he can find the silver lining in every grim situation on his path in life to fulfill his dreams. I especially loved how Macellari ties in the significance of papaya salad to her memories and family history. It's a reminder to cherish the bonds we have with family and how there's always something new to learn from generations before us. On top of a charming story, the book design is impeccable. The warm, tropical color palette applied throughout the novel made this story glow even more with emotions. The use of ingredients as chapter breaks was my favorite visual detail and helped tie everything together. For anyone interested in a different perspective on WWII and food culture, this is a delightful read.