Finalist for the Guild of Food Writers First Book Award
Five Star Finalist in the Spring 2023 Readers' Choice Book Awards
Finalist for the 2023 Page Turner Awards

"We all have imaginary lives, and if we are lucky we have a dish to go with them..."

So begins the title story of Genevieve Jenner's debut short story collection: a ground-breaking anthology of magical-realist food writing.

A Russian countess finds herself making borscht for her socialist Parisian neighbours; unknown office colleagues secretly exchange lunchtime delicacies and recipes via the work fridge; steak is cooked at midnight on a Friday to get around Catholic proscriptions; and a thrilling sexual awakening descends into a metaphor of tired sandwiches and squashed fruit.

Chocolate Cake for Imaginary Lives is a book that the sexiest celebrity chef you can think of would take to read in bed, cackling in private recognition-but not just because it's about the role of food at the centre of our lives. It's also about the place of women in the world, the messiness of life, and the joy of snatched moments in the midst of chaos. With a wit and frankness that combines vulnerability and strength, all wrapped up in a package of stories that speak right to the soul, Genevieve Jenner writes about real and imaginary lives with poignance and authenticity.

About the Author
When Genevieve Jenner was six years old, she liked to play dress up and write stories, and she wanted to be a mermaid. She has finally accepted that being a mermaid isn't the most secure career option, but the other two things have remained constant.

Reviews

"A super collection, with wit and verve ... There is a confident breeziness to the tales that make them fun to read - I found myself having to slow down halfway through the book because I didn't want it to be over too soon!' Amazon, 5*

"Wow, brilliant ... Like having a glass of wine with a genius chef who tells great stories at the bar after hours" Amazon, 5*

"Quirky but brilliant read ... The short stories are page turners and I enjoyed wondering whatever fact and what was fiction. Great book" Amazon, 5*

"A delicious morsel of a book. ... Whimsical escapes that titillate your palate. When recipes become narratives, the results are delicious" Amazon, 5*

Awards
Short-listed for Guild of Food Writers First Book Award 2023 (UK) and Reader's Choice Book Awards 2023 (United States) and Page Turner Awards 2023 (UK).



Book Information
ISBN 9781838498726
Author Genevieve Jenner
Format Paperback
Page Count 238
Imprint Deixis Press
Publisher Deixis Press