Souffle

by Asli Perker

In New York, Lilia wakes up one morning to discover her loveless marriage is founded on nothing but deep mistrust and contempt. Marc, in Paris, is mourning the death of his beloved wife and can't bear to face the empty kitchen. And in Istanbul, Ferda waits hand and foot on her demanding mother while trying to make time for her true passion: cooking for her loved ones. In this heartwarming and tender tale, Lilia, Marc and Ferda will find healing and joy in the simple art of cooking.

"A modern Turkish writer with the subtle, steady gaze of Balzac. With quiet brilliance, Asli Perker shows how couples and families from Paris to the Philippines cope with sudden catastrophic loss. And at the heart of the book, balancing loss, there is always food: warming, adding flavour, expressing love and celebration." Maggie Gee OBE "A funny, moving, clever book which examines the real meaning of family as it explores the true power of food. Delicious in every sense." Daily Mail "Souffle is as rich and satisfying as its namesake." Time Out Istanbul "...(Perker) writes movingly about the ageing process, dealing with disappointment, and adapting to major life changes. She also writes very well about dementia and finds humour in Mrs Nesibe's frequent digressions and various alter egos. Like all good books that focus on food, Perker's descriptions of cooking should stimulate readers' taste buds and have them itching to get into the kitchen." Lucy Popescu, Independent

Born in Izmir, Turkey, Asli Perker is a writer and journalist. A bestseller in Turkey, Souffle is her first novel to be translated into English.