The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake

[MarkBastable]

Views?

[billl]

Such a powerful fruit, tamed to cake-appropriateness. Pitiful, like watching meat tossed haphazardly into the tiger cage at a zoo, but in reverse. Or we're doing it, eating the easily provided food instead of merely watching the feeding. Not that there's some excitement in gathering the lemons, I just mean they are normally very sour or tart or whatever, you'd never just eat one by itself. I can't make the metaphor quite add up, actually. It looks like I'm saying that it's a shame the meat isn't more vigorous and impressive, when I meant that to be the tigers. And perhaps it's sort of exciting to watch the meat being thrown in there, as well, maybe it depends on how the tigers like it... Just this, then:

Such a powerful fruit, tamed to cake-appropriateness.

[MystyrMystyry]

It's one of those things that can't be justified. Simply because humans can eat everything and anything doesn't mean they should. Lemon is one such example. It, along with it's notorious stablemates Lime and Grapefruit (a misnomer if ever there were - being neither grapey nor fruity!), makes a perfect accompaniment to (and handwash after the consumption of) a meal of fried chicken and/or greasy fish and chips (either of which can be further accompanied with a glass or two of sparkling lemonade or tequilla).

The humble lemon has purposes both undiscovered and yet strictly only within a limited range of cuisine - but definitely not cakes.

Neither lemon cake, nor lemon cheesecake (a dual aberration) may be considered edible by a right thinking individual, yet certain people persist in their alchemical production - do not fall for this trap! Lemons are not food in the usual sense, but rather a very occasional condiment, and most excellent dish or hair detergent.

Lemon cake? Bah! Same category as slug stew, leech pie, toad salad, and cockroach casserole.

[TheFifthElement]

Um, I guess you mean the book? Not read it yet, but it's on my wish list. I've heard it's very good.

[billl]

Ah. Well, then.

[MystyrMystyry]

What? It's a book? It won't sell well with that title.

[MarkBastable]

What? It's a book? It won't sell well with that title.

It already has.


http://projects.latimes.com/bestsellers/lists/2011/02/20/#particular-sadness-of-lemon-cake

http://avaxhome.ws/ebooks/large_ebook_collection/NewYorkTimesFiction.html

[Calidore]

It's one of those things that can't be justified. Simply because humans can eat everything and anything doesn't mean they should. Lemon is one such example. It, along with it's notorious stablemates Lime and Grapefruit (a misnomer if ever there were - being neither grapey nor fruity!), makes a perfect accompaniment to (and handwash after the consumption of) a meal of fried chicken and/or greasy fish and chips (either of which can be further accompanied with a glass or two of sparkling lemonade or tequilla).

The humble lemon has purposes both undiscovered and yet strictly only within a limited range of cuisine - but definitely not cakes.

Neither lemon cake, nor lemon cheesecake (a dual aberration) may be considered edible by a right thinking individual, yet certain people persist in their alchemical production - do not fall for this trap! Lemons are not food in the usual sense, but rather a very occasional condiment, and most excellent dish or hair detergent.

Lemon cake? Bah! Same category as slug stew, leech pie, toad salad, and cockroach casserole.

I have a very simple and good lemon cake recipe from my grandmother. It was one of my favorite birthday cakes as a kid. Sounds like you haven't had one made right, or you just don't like lemons.

[MystyrMystyry]

Further investigation has shown that it is one of those books that has sold well despite the title...

It reminds me of the music for a television advertisement a few years ago. It was for an insurance company. People seemed to really like the music (me amongst them) and writing letters to the help columns inquiring what it was and if they could buy it. Well it was from a collection of library music composed and put on cd's for the purpose of soundtracks and not actually available to the public, though quite readily to advertising, movie and television production companies.

The composer bought back the rights and released it on his own album (as you would), and it became a minor hit (the album at least), and I've heard it again since on a car ad (and about a thousand clones in various places).

I have no statistics on the success of the insurance company.


Now back to Fifth: you got me googling it and I found a page of reviews ranging from one star to five, all seeming to start out with the same premise 'A nine year old girl, lemon cake, etc' perhaps on the blurb so not a spoiler.


I'd never heard of it, though it has the air of the Bridges of Madison County, a Mills and Boon entry if ever there was, but standing on its own feet became a success due solely to word of mouth.


Calidore: You are either kidding, or something else. There are certain salads which benefit from a squeeze, but as a hint of flavour, not the main flavour.


Billl: you didn't know either...

[MarkBastable]

I bought it for no other reason that I thought it was a brilliant title. And I really enjoyed it - it is a very weird book.

Do I strike you as the sort of person who'd be intrigued and delighted by Mills and Boon? I mean, given what you know of me?



Further investigation has shown that it is one of those books that has sold well despite the title...

It reminds me of the music for a television advertisement a few years ago. It was for an insurance company. People seemed to really like the music (me amongst them) and writing letters to the help columns inquiring what it was and if they could buy it. Well it was from a collection of library music composed and put on cd's for the purpose of soundtracks and not actually available to the public, though quite readily to advertising, movie and television production companies.

The composer bought back the rights and released it on his own album (as you would), and it became a minor hit (the album at least), and I've heard it again since on a car ad (and about a thousand clones in various places).

I have no statistics on the success of the insurance company.


Now back to Fifth: you got me googling it and I found a page of reviews ranging from one star to five, all seeming to start out with the same premise 'A nine year old girl, lemon cake, etc' perhaps on the blurb so not a spoiler.


I'd never heard of it, though it has the air of the Bridges of Madison County, a Mills and Boon entry if ever there was, but standing on its own feet became a success due solely to word of mouth.


Calidore: You are either kidding, or something else. There are certain salads which benefit from a squeeze, but as a hint of flavour, not the main flavour.


Billl: you didn't know either...

[MystyrMystyry]

You don't have a Mills and Boon pseudonym? I thought everyone had!

[Quick edit:] The way Mills and Boon operate is to churn out formula romance novels by both hard pressed and 'quick buck' seeking writers.

I hadn't heard of this particular masterpiece until early this morning, but it sounded as though it was something that cold fit into a series. Obviously I haven't read it yet, and know nothing about it other than the premise, but going by the premise it sounds like young 'Fried Green Tomatoes' or similar.

I'll give it a bash if I come across it (don't want to be too much behind the times)

[Buh4Bee]

This should be dedicated to our banished brother Wilson. This reminds me of the style of his old bantering threads, except no lemon meringue pie is being thrown at sour pusses.

[WyattGwyon]

They finally banished Wilson?! Oh how tragic.

[cl154576]

They finally banished Wilson?! Oh how tragic.

Yes – some while ago. I had a blog entry about it.

[MarkBastable]

They finally banished Wilson?! Oh how tragic.

Don't worry. There'll be another one along in a minute.