In 'Sweetbitter,' Stephanie Danler invites readers into the intoxicating world of fine dining through the eyes of Tess, a young woman who moves to New York City in search of a fresh start. Immersed in the exhilarating chaos of a high-end restaurant, she navigates the complexities of the culinary world, exploring the bittersweet blend of love, friendship, and ambition. Tess experiences the allure of the city’s nightlife while grappling with the harsh realities of adult life and the struggle for self-discovery. Through vibrant prose, Danler captures the essence of taste—both in food and experience—woven with the intricate relationships that define Tess’s journey. Will Tess find what she truly desires, or will she be consumed by the very world she longs to belong to?
By Stephanie Danler
Published: 2017
"The world is a blurry, beautiful mess, and we are all just trying to make sense of it."
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A thrilling novel of the senses and a coming-of-age tale, following a small-town girl into the electrifying world of New York City and the education of a lifetime at one of the most exclusive restaurants in Manhattan. Newly arrived in New York City, twenty-two-year-old Tess lands a job working front of house at a celebrated downtown restaurant. What follows is her education: in champagne and cocaine, love and lust, dive bars and fine dining rooms, as she learns to navigate the chaotic, enchanting, punishing life she has chosen. The story of a young woman’s coming-of-age, set against the glitzy, grimy backdrop of New York’s most elite restaurants, in Sweetbitter Stephanie Danler deftly conjures the nonstop and high-adrenaline world of the food industry and evokes the infinite possibilities, the unbearable beauty, and the fragility and brutality of being young and adrift.
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“The world is a blurry, beautiful mess, and we are all just trying to make sense of it.”
Sweetbitter
By Stephanie Danler
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Stephanie Danler is an acclaimed American author and screenwriter known for her poignant prose and exploration of themes such as love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. Her debut novel, 'Sweetbitter,' which received widespread praise for its vivid depiction of life in a bustling restaurant in New York City, was a finalist for the James Beard Foundation Book Award. Danler's work often draws from her own experiences, infusing her narratives with authenticity and emotional depth. She has also written 'Stray,' a collection of essays that reflects her introspective style and offers insights into her personal journey and creative process.
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