Reviews

Mixing Memory & Desire: How History Shaped the Foods of the Caribbean ... is a lively and entertaining account of five hundred years of culinary chaos across a vast stretch of the planet, as different peoples, not all of them there voluntarily or with the best of intentions, applied their own ideas of what food should be to whatever was available locally. The result is an education in the spectacular variety of Caribbean cuisine, but also in the history of a diverse region that tends to get either overlooked or lumped together. 

– Ed Needham, Strong Words Sunday Book Club

Those who attended the launch of Lee Johnson's formidable new book, Mixing Memory & Desire: How History Shaped the Foods of the Caribbean, would have been hard-pressed to say what impressed more: the lyrical, insightful writing or Johnson's commanding grasp of his subject and captivating delivery. Told in a warm, entertaining and deeply readable style, the book is infused with poetic and musical references and is further elevated by Johnson's own exquisite line drawings, another testament to his wide-ranging creative talents.

– Carolyn Kissoon, Trinidad Express

This isn't a history book; nor a recipe book; nor a geography lesson. It's all three, plus a lot more. I feel as though I know so much more about the West Indies than I ever did before, and it's all slipped in so very easily and enjoyably, despite having to cover some of the harder and less palatable aspects of West Indian history. A triumph. Some great little illustrations, too.

– Catherine Merriman, Amazon 5-star review

I was at a book event in Stockwell last night for Mixing Memory and Desire. Lee Johnson has written a brilliantly engaging history of Caribbean food (I bought a copy and was deep into chapter four by bedtime!). He’s an incredibly affable and approachable writer and speaker and really got questions and stories flying around the room: you know how West Indians does tek de food ting serious!!!! 

– Karen Chung, by email