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52 pages 1 hour read

The Book of Salt

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2003

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Book Brief

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Monique Truong

The Book of Salt

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2003
Book Details
Pages

272

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Paris, France • 1930s

Publication Year

2003

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Book of Salt by Monique Truong, set in the 1920s and 1930s, follows Binh, a young, gay Vietnamese cook who flees Saigon after an affair with a French chef and navigates life in Paris, where he works for Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. Binh grapples with his identity while forming complex relationships, ultimately choosing between returning to Vietnam or staying in Paris, haunted by memories of familial rejection and past trauma. The book refers to physical self-harm and heavy alcohol use.

Contemplative

Mysterious

Melancholic

Emotional

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

3.7

6,792 ratings

54%

Loved it

30%

Mixed feelings

16%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Monique Truong's The Book of Salt is praised for its evocative prose and rich, sensory descriptions, immersing readers in 1930s Paris. The narrative's exploration of identity and exile is poignant, though some find its pace languid and structure complex. Overall, it's a vivid and thought-provoking read that may appeal more to literary fiction enthusiasts.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Book of Salt?

Ideal for readers who enjoy rich, lyrical prose and historical fiction, The Book of Salt by Monique Truong appeals to those intrigued by immigrant stories, culinary arts, and literary figures. Fans of The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen and The Paris Wife by Paula McLain would find this novel captivating.

3.7

6,792 ratings

54%

Loved it

30%

Mixed feelings

16%

Not a fan

Character List

Binh

A young Vietnamese cook living in Paris, working for Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, who grapples with his identity and sense of belonging.

Binh’s father, a stern and religious figure whose critical voice haunts Binh even from afar.

A loving and resilient presence in Binh's life, who offers support and an alternative spiritual perspective.

Binh’s oldest brother, regarded highly by their father, who represents protection and familial duty.

An influential American writer and host of a literary salon in Paris where Binh works as a cook.

Stein’s devoted partner, known for her culinary skills and compassion towards Binh.

A charming but ultimately untrustworthy salon attendee with whom Binh has an affair.

A mysterious Vietnamese man whom Binh meets in Paris, embodying an idealized sense of connection and identity.

Book Details
Pages

272

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Paris, France • 1930s

Publication Year

2003

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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