Review: As Always, Julia: The Letters of Julia Child and Avis DeVoto

As Always, Julia: The Letters of Julia Child and Avis DeVoto edited by Joan Reardon collects select letters between Julia and Avis from the beginning of their penpal friendship to the early 1960s when Julia moves to Cambridge (where Avis lived).

The first letters are far more interesting than the latter ones because they remind us of how much has changed.  The invention of such things as dishwashers, tin foil, garbage disposals and frozen food are little gems of information in the early letters.  The discussions of the political situation are not always particularly insightful since they depend on a background of knowledge contemporary to the letters.  The chapter introductions by the editor can be useful, though a bit confusing at times since she tells you what Avis and Julia will be discussing in the letters you are about to read.  For the political info, that's useful-- as well as for some of the background needed to understand what happens outside of the letters but there are some "spoilers" where Reardon tells of other things that (slightly) ruin the fun of finding out on your own through the letters.  Not as intriguing as "My Life in France" but still a good read.