I read The School of Essential Ingredients, a short novel by Erica Bauermeister.

It was recommended to me as „modern Persona games in book form“. This assessment is correct in some aspects.

The story centres around a cooking class that stretches over months. But it is not the point. It serves a regular meeting that connects the characters, who neither would have met nor stayed in contact.

The characters are of different ages – barely adults to seniors – and from different backgrounds. Each one starts with their private problems. These seem to be small, everyday problems but are revealed to be – amongst others – regret, loneliness, and complacency.

Through interaction between the characters these problems are gradually revealed and concluded with changes in the characters. We see some – but not all – consequences of these changes.

It is a calm, contemplative story. Without need for dramatic crisis. That is very refreshing, if you are in the mood.

Recommendation: Yes