Hungry: The Highly Anticipated Memoir from One of the Greatest Food Writers of All Time

Just brilliant. I have been waiting for a book from Grace, I was hoping for a new adult book (as she has written a few for teenagers), but a memoir I didnt expect as she seems quite private. Other than a few mentions of her Mam during her lockdown columns, and no mention of her Dad or anything much about Charles, I was surprised and delighted it was to be a memoir. I pre-ordered and waited. I read the whole thing the day it arrived! She writes brilliantly, as we all know, but this is just so enjoyable. Full to the brim with heart. It feels real. Just like her journey, I moved from north to south and back to the Lakes. I share so many of her food memories, and of London as a new thrilling place to live, and now to elderly poorly parents. I've not enjoyed a book so much in such a long time. Just get it, you will not be dissapointed.

I didn't enjoy this book as much as I'd expected. Maybe it was over-hyped. It's had a lot of exposure and publicity in the media. It didn't make me laugh out loud. I did smile wryly at some sections. I would say that it would particularly resonate with those born /growing up in the same era. The end of the book was not the tear jerker that I'd expected, having read many reviews before buying it. It was interesting and impressive to see how Grace blagged her way up the career ladder. That's probably what I would mostly take from this book.

I have long been a fan of Grace Dent. Masterchef is one of my favourite TV programmes and I adore the 'critics round'. When I see that it's Grace Dent in one of the critic's chairs, then it is extra special, oh and if Jay Rayner is in one of the other chairs, my day is complete!I have enjoyed every single page of this well-written, funny, emotional and completely honest memoir. I admire the author's ability to make the most mundane and ordinary of households sound like such an adventure. Grace Dent is a few years younger than me, but it really feels that time didn't move quite so fast back in the 70s and 80s, and I could relate to her adolescent experiences so much.I live in the North, not as far North as Grace did, but it's the North - I won't be told otherwise! I remember the advent of the huge supermarkets; the excitement of the 'Whoops' yellow reduced price sticker (I still get that buzz today!). I remember microwaves being introduced (ours was second hand and my mother didn't allow us to walk past it whilst it was cooking .... in case we radiated our insides!)Grace Dent was a determined young woman, she'd been brought up within a family of workers and she made sure that she got where she wanted to be. She's not ashamed to say that she accepted most jobs that were offered to her, despite the humour, it is so clear that she worked long and hard to get where she is today.This is not just Grace's story of how she made her career though. It is also an emotional and often quite heart-breaking account of how her family has dealt with her father's illness. From the beginning, when all of them just thought Dad was a bit grumpy, ate too much Cadbury's Fruit n Nut and was obsessed with his daily newspaper. Right through to the very end, where Dad often no longer recognises them, where he sits in a room, skeletal and not interested in food anymore. It's devastating. Grace was her father's 'only little girl' ... and that phrase hides yet another story!I really liked Grace Dent before I read her book. Now I think I actually love her. I flew through this one, I felt as though I was there with her. It's honest and highly entertaining. I'd really like some more!

This book gave me so much joy! A real nostalgia trip back to the 70s and 80s. How refreshing to read about ordinary working class folk eating cheap, ordinary, plain food! Grace Dent shares her love of food and the love for her extraordinary family. What characters! The scenes detailing her Cumbrian childhood and her return to care for her ill parents later in her life are the best in the book and make up the biggest portion of it. They are in sharp contrast to her life as a journalist and restaurant reviewer in London. I will treasure this book and read again and again. It's like a big, warm hug. I read it in 36 hours.

Loved this memoir, I've never read one before but because I enjoy Grace's columns I wanted to try this.It's amazing how nostalgia can resonate, I grew up in suburban Sydney but there were so many parallels. It made me laugh and cry.Very relatable, particularly wrestling with priorities and trying to balance her life with the needs of her aging parents.It made me think about how we watch TV personalities, never really imagining the struggles they might be having. I think this book is very honest, brave and thoughtful.I loved this book and am buying it for quite a few friends as a gift.

As a long time fan of Grace Dent, I was so keen to read this memoir. However I was even more surprised at how much our lives and remembrances mirror each other. Walking down the memory lane of 70s, 80s, 90s fashion and food has been a total pleasure and I’ve binge read the book.

Beautifully crafted piece, nostalgic references to food and family stories alongside other events. You're in great hands with Grace Dent and her take on family dynamics, capturing moments & language of the last few decades with an excellent ear for dialogue - highly recommendThere's a slight less palatable section where the author talks about her climb up the slippery echelons of the media - some of it with appropriate hindsight & reflection. The sections that work less well & jar with the overall tone of the book is where she talks about her media status - being recognised & approached by members of the public & perhaps where she sees herself. It's difficult to work out whether this is slightly gleeful to have risen in the ranks from her Cumbrian background or whether she feels she had taken her place rightful alongside public school airheads & those who have not worked for their position.The extract around taking on caring responsibility & juggling over life commitments will resonate with many & whilst these things are always personal there is much shared experience.Overall a recommended read