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cover of episode In debut novel 'Food Person,' a food writer ghostwrites a celebrity cookbook

In debut novel 'Food Person,' a food writer ghostwrites a celebrity cookbook

2025/6/2
logo of podcast NPR's Book of the Day

NPR's Book of the Day

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The episode discusses Adam Robert's novel, "Food Person," which explores the collaboration between a food writer ghostwriting a cookbook for a celebrity who dislikes food. It questions whether celebrity cookbooks are sincere or merely vanity projects.
  • Adam Robert's novel explores celebrity cookbooks.
  • The novel's main character ghostwrites for a celebrity who dislikes food.

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In Adam Roberts' debut novel, a food writer named Isabella loses her job after fumbling a chocolate souffle demonstration on Instagram Live. But soon after, she is offered the opportunity to ghostwrite a cookbook for Molly Babcock, a famous actress whose career is in need of a reboot. Food Person follows this chaotic collaboration between Isabella, who lives and breathes food, and Molly, who doesn't care much for food at all. In today's episode, Roberts joins NPR's Scott Simon for a conversation about pushing past celebrity stereotypes, the author's favorite food writers, and a recipe involving cavatappi.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)