Books like As they were by M. F. K. Fisher

"As They Were" gathers twenty essays written over many years by M. F. K. Fisher, offering intimate glimpses into her upbringing in Whittier, California, and the formative moments of her travels—from quiet Californian kitchens to bustling Parisian stations, Provence’s ancient terraces, and Provence’s Rue Brueys. The pieces weave together memories of family traditions, indulgent meals, and cultural encounters, revealing how place and taste guided the writer’s evolving worldview. Alongside early experiences with loving yet frugal godparents, Fisher reflects on sumptuous encounters with a Burgundian inn, the rhythms of life aboard a freighter, and the sensory splendor of the Gare de Lyon. These essays, some unpublished until now, showcase Fisher’s gift for turning ordinary moments into vivid, sensory tapestries that illuminate her legacy as a pioneer in gourmands and memoir.

First publish date: 1982