Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal has been praised for its engaging storytelling and vivid characters. Readers love the unique structure, blending recipes with the narrative. However, some critics feel the character development could be deeper. Overall, Stradal's debut is a flavorful and heartwarming journey through food and family, despite minor flaws.

Readers who enjoyed The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin or Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout, and those fascinated by culinary arts and Midwestern life, will find J. Ryan Stradal's Kitchens of the Great Midwest captivating. This novel weaves food, family, and regional culture into a heartwarming, witty narrative.

Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal follows Eva Thorvald, a girl with an extraordinary palate who becomes a renowned chef. Structured around interconnected short stories, each chapter highlights different characters and aspects of Eva's culinary journey, rooted in Midwestern traditions. Eva's narrative intertwines familial bonds, personal struggles, and evolving food culture over 30 years. The book addresses topics such as substance abuse, alcohol addiction, and sexual assault.

Bittersweet / Humorous / Heartwarming / Nostalgic / Emotional

- Kitchens of the Great Midwest is J. Ryan Stradal’s debut novel and became a New York Times bestseller, garnering acclaim for its unique structure and heartfelt storytelling.
- Each chapter of the novel focuses on a different dish and a different character, weaving culinary elements with personal narratives that eventually converge in surprising ways.
- J. Ryan Stradal drew inspiration from his mother’s love for cooking and his upbringing in the Midwest, infusing the novel with authentic regional flavors and traditions.

**Eva Thorvald**  
A celebrated chef with a generational palette from the American Midwest, whose journey from teen years marked by school bullying to culinary stardom is largely revealed through the perspectives of other characters.

**Lars Thorvald**  
Eva's father, an exceptional chef who introduces her to the world of specialty foods and farmers markets, nurturing her culinary talents from infancy before passing away from a heart attack early in the novel.  
  
**Cynthia Hargreaves**  
Eva's mother, who leaves shortly after Eva's birth and later reappears as a sommelier, is intrigued by her daughter's success as a world-renowned chef.

**Braque Dragelski**  
Eva’s cousin and an athlete keen on discipline, who grappled with the pressures of her lifestyle and the joy of food, ultimately shifting her focus after discovering a love for sweet pepper jelly.

**Will Prager**  
A teenage boy dealing with his mother's death, who seeks a connection with Eva but struggles with misunderstandings and his own emotional turmoil.

**Octavia Kincade**  
A character marked by vanity and arrogance, who views Eva as a rival due to her financial downfall, despite initially having family support and employment.

**Jordy Snelling**  
A 25-year-old dealing with addiction and anger issues, who finds fleeting comfort in caring for his terminally ill mother during her last days.

**Pat Prager**  
A devoted Lutheran mother known for her award-winning peanut butter bars, balancing her ambition with her charitable nature amidst local baking contests.

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