Semi Finalist

Assessment:

Plot: In Lang's memoir, the connection to food is appropriate and appealing as it reveals the beauty and unique nature of Hungarian culture bit by bit, and bite by bite. The compelling narration invites readers to travel with Lang on different steps of her journey. 

Prose: The opening of this book easily hooks readers, as the narrator asks her mother, “How could you bear to leave all this beauty?”, to which the woman's answer is, "For food, and freedom." The imagery throughout the memoir is strong and effective, keeping readers engaged. 

Originality: In this narrative, we meet a young girl who does not run from her past; her parents made a life-changing decision in the name of freedom and she is gradually making sense of their decision, their identities, and her roots steeped in Hungarian culture. While concerns about cooking, baking, serving, and recipes may seem insignificant on the surface, the character’s food-related emotions are quite meaningful, as they continually reveal important elements about her cultural origin. 

Character/Execution: Recipes and pictures add to the originality of this piece and help readers better envision Lang's words. There are many lines referring to the basic values in Hungarian culture, which will provide readers with greater context. 

Date Submitted: January 05, 2023