Jennieke Cohen is a Filipina-American author of young adult historical fiction. Her debut novel, Dangerous Alliance, was a Junior Library Guild selection and has been translated into multiple languages. Jennieke studied English history at Cambridge University and has a master's degree in professional writing from the University of Southern California. She has worked as a nonfiction ghostwriter, a literary agent's assistant, and as a writing consultant to Silicon Valley tech companies. When not writing or researching little-known corners of history, you'll find her cooking and baking up a storm, singing show tunes, overanalyzing old movies, or getting outside to enjoy the sun in her native Northern California. Read more on Jennieke's website www.jenniekecohen.com. You can find more of my reviews of Jennieke's works here.
In 1830s England, Culinarians—doyens who create gorgeous food and confections for the elite—are the crème de la crème of high society. Helena Higgins, top of her class at the Royal Academy, has a sharp demeanor and an ever sharper palate—and knows stardom awaits her, if she can produce greatness in her final year. Penelope Pickering is going to prove the value of non-European cuisine to all of England. Her contemporaries may scorn her Filipina heritage and her dishes, but with her flawless social graces and culinary talents, Penelope is set to prove them wrong. Elijah Little has nothing to his name but a truly excellent instinct for flavors. London merchants won't allow a Jewish boy to own a shop, so he hawks his pasties for a shilling a piece to passerby—but he knows with training he can break into the highest echelon of society. When Penelope and Helena meet Elijah, a golden opportunity arises: to pull off a project never seen before and turn Elijah from a street vendor to a gentleman chef. But Elijah's transformation will have a greater impact on this trio than they originally realize—and mayhem, unseemly faux pas, and a little romance will all be a part of the delicious recipe.
What immediately struck me as I began reading was the distinctness of each of the three characters. Penelope is kind to her core, almost to a fault. Helena is ambitious beyond belief, and Elijah is just happy to be there, if that happiness is scorched by Helena along the way. Each of their distinct characters and voices is what makes their interactions both entirely fun and completely believable. Readers feel like they know these character so well through their voices and inner monologue, making their interpersonal interactions so authentic. And not just the fun, pleasant interactions, but the ugly ones, too. Cohen has really painted each of these characters so vividly, that everything down to how they speak and act towards one another has an effect on the action of the story. Cohen's characterization is unparalleled, making this read delightful and insightful.
What is so fun about this novel is the entire world and culture Cohen has created with a Queen Charlotte era of history, and with Culinaria. I enjoyed how Cohen wrote her own segment of history, one where one woman survives and all women are better for it. I especially appreciated how Cohen integrated the passing of a singular bill as the one that had the power to create entirely new areas of scholarship—hence, Culinaria. How creative! What an entirely refreshing take on rebuilding history for readers! Even with all of Cohen's historical editions, she maintains the feel of what it would have been like to live in 1830s England—the long dresses, the social norms, the fascination with scandal. Cohen doesn't erase all that was wrong with society back then—quite the opposite, in fact. Rather, Cohen is able to heighten all of society's shortcomings from the past and equate them to the same shortcomings we face currently. This is especially true regarding bigotry and antisemitism.
There is representation in this novel of young adult fiction and young adult historical fiction that is often not seen (Jewish representation, Filipina heritage representation). After having loved young adult for so long, and having hoped for better from the genre, finally we are seeing more and more underrepresented voices within the literature. My Fine Fellow is just the perfect example of that—watching young adult literature become more inclusive and include more diverse voices is beyond important, and especially necessary in historical works. Cohen took incredible care to bring history to light within this novel, and to show modern day readers one way to face bigotry and hate. Like we learned in Harry Potter, "it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up for your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends." That is especially true, and watching Penelope and Helena's relationship evolve to demonstrate that was so powerful—I would argue, the most powerful aspect of the book. It is a relationship and dynamic I will not soon forget, and one that I hope teaches and shows readers the necessity of standing up for others, and for oneself, to the people we think know better.
My one remaining thought on this novel was just how fun it was to read! I had the same experience with Dangerous Alliance, and was just so delighted to see how Cohen's writing could drag me back in and make me smile so easily! For fans of My Fair Lady, you will recognize the hints Cohen takes from that plot in how Elijah's, Penelope's, and Helena's stories are told. And even if you've never heard the word Pygmalion, you'll find yourself instantly drawn to the three characters' instant chemistry, to the hilarity of the hijinks, and drooling over the descriptions of the food. There is so much to devour in this novel—the fun, the important, the necessary, the heartwarming—and Cohen just captures all of that perfectly. I find it hard to believe anyone wouldn't be in a good mood after this spectacular novel.
Because of Jennieke's talent in writing historical fiction, and ability in bringing historical young adult stories to life via fiction, I will definitely be picking up whatever else she writes in the future. Bookshelves need more of her works! Until then, you can find more of my reviews of Jennieke's works here.
*This review can also be found on my Goodreads page*
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