The launch of De Hongerige Stad was exhausting; I don’t think I have ever done as much talking over a three-day period! But it was worth it. I had some wonderful conversations with Dutch journalists, whom I found to be remarkably clued up about issues surrounding food. I was given this wonderful room in De Balie, a famous debating hall in Amsterdam, for the day; it was a great space in which to talk and think! In fact it was sitting at this table, trying to answer a particularly knotty question, that I realised that I am going to have to write another book.

My Dutch publishers Nai have kindly had some of my interviews translated into English, and here they are:
volkskrant-29-march-2011.doc
nrc-24-march-2011.doc
trouw-21-march-2011.doc
hp-de-tijd-4-march-2011.doc

Know that Guinness ad, ‘Good things come to those who wait’, or something like that? Well, I feel a bit like that about this review from The Independent. It took a while coming, and is far less wordy than some of the others I’ve received, yet it manages to capture something about the book that others haven’t, with a lot less effort than most.

The Independent Review

I had a great chat the other day with Pamela Buxton about Hungry City for Building Design, and it made me realise (funny how that happens when you’re in the midst of conversation) that I am more passionate than ever about getting architects and urban designers to think more about (and through) food. Which is why I’m really pleased that she wrote such a great article for BD. Do check it out:

Building Design article

Another review, this time in the Guardian, focussing on Hungry City’s historical content. I am amazed at the range of reviews the book has received: to read all of them, you would think I had written ten completely different books. I suppose it just goes to show that Hungry Cityis a very kaleidoscopic book – one from which readers can take what they like. Which, come to think of it, was exactly what I was trying to write: a book for people to chew on, to get them thinking. I guess it also means that if you really want to know what Hungry City is like, you are going to have to read it for yourself!

The Guardian review

More reviews, from David Aaronovitch in The Times and Bonnie Powell in the Financial Times. The former describes Hungry City as ‘ebullient, provocative and irritating’ which pretty much sums up his review – but since he also admits the book’s central argument is ‘vital’ and it is listed as ‘Required Reading’, I am not complaining! Bonnie Powell in the FT finds Hungry City ‘wide-ranging and engaging’ and raises many important issues (as she states on her blog) but thinks there is too much in it! I disagree of course, but perhaps you would prefer to read it and decide for yourself!

The Times Review
The Financial Times Review

Well, the reviews have started rolling in, and what they seem to be picking up on so far under titles such as ‘Our Recipe for Disaster’ (The Observer) and ‘Unappetising Truths about the Food Industry’ (The Telegraph) is that the way we eat now is damaging our bodies and destroying the planet. Too true. But Hungry City is not just a book about how we are all going to hell in a handcart – it is also a practical attempt to find a way out of the mess. I do understand that when you confront the realities of modern food delivery for the first time, it can be pretty shocking. But we need to get beyond the shock, and start taking action. That is the real message of Hungry City – that food is not just a question of what we eat, but something that shapes every aspect of our world. By recognising its importance, we can change a lot of things for the better. For me, that is a very positive thought.

The Observer Review
The Telegraph Review