Lion's Head, Four Happiness by Xiaomei Martell

Lion's Head, Four Happiness by Xiaomei Martell

Lion's Head, Four Happiness is the captivating story of Xiaomei Martell, who was born in one of China's most remote regions just two years before Mao launched the Cultural Revolution. The youngest of four daughters - her name means 'Little Sister' - her family had no money or connections, yet they raised her with a thirst for knowledge and a love of food, ranging from the Lion's Head meatballs her Uncle Deng cooked to the 'phoenix feet' that apparently cured wrinkles, by way of two-hundred-year-old eggs. Xiaomei's entertaining and inspiring story takes us to a world where children play with painted pig toes, dumplings give you perfect ears and rather than saying hello, you ask 'chilema' or 'Have you eaten?' This is a unique and engaging account of a culture and cuisine that is a world away from the China we know today.

I found Lion's Head, Four Happiness a riveting memoir set in one of the most tumultuous times in modern Chinese historyIt is evident from the salivating accounts of food and cooking that it was the cuisine that helped Xiaomei in her delicious and uplifting journey -- Ken Hom
An enchanting glimpse into a fascinating culture -- Michael Booth
Martell's gentle account...[contains] lyrical passages -- John Gittings * The Guardian *
An unusual and refreshing memoir * Warwick Books & Kenilworth Books *

Xiaomei Martell was born in 1964 in Inner Mongolia, one of China's most remote regions, and spent her formative years there during the Cultural Revolution. After winning a coveted university place at the age of fifteen, she studied first English and then art in Beijing where she also worked after graduation, teaching English, acting as a travel guide and working for art galleries. She came to England in the late 1980s to pursue her studies and has lived in England ever since.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780099532095
ISBN 10	0099532093
Title	Lion's Head, Four Happiness
Author	Xiaomei Martell
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Vintage Publishing
Year published	2009-04-02
Number of pages	224
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.