After I read The Boys’ Club by Erica Katz in October, it was recommended that I read Sweetbitter. Both books are about women venturing out into their first job, but in different situations. In The Boys’ Club, character Alex Vogel finishes law school and begins working at a prestigious Manhattan law firm. In Sweetbitter, main character Tess, who is 22-years-old, leaves home and gets a job as a backwaiter/barista at a well-know Manhattan restaurant.
The author, Stephanie Danler, focuses on that first year of Tess’s life away from home, broken into seasons. The author brings the reader into the restaurant life so vividly, you actually think you are part of their crowd. There are beautiful descriptions of food and wine, which would appeal to foodies. Tess eventually gets involved in a triangle of sorts between Jack, a bartender at the restaurant, and her mentor, Simone. Tess’s life becomes tumultuous, but she is resilient.
I think Sweetbitter would appeal to anyone who has worked in food service, especially young people who may be feeling the same emotions as Tess. I definitely want to read more of Stephanie Danler’s work. I listened to the audio version of the book, and it was well-done. The narrator had a “Demi Moore” quality to her voice, which I liked.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Also availabile by Stephanie Danler is Stray, her memoir, published in May, 2020 by Knopf.
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