The Kitchen Front: A Novel

In the novel, food and scent are linked to specific memories and experiences. What literary devices and images does the author use to convey the connection between sensory experiences and memory?

Food in WWII was heavily rationed, and cooks had to come up with new and creative ways to create enjoyable meals. What can these practices teach us about enjoying and appreciating food in our own time?

Early in the novel, Nell sees her place in the social hierarchy as fixed, rather than fluid. How did the class structure in Britain change as a result of WWII? Were those changes beneficial to those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds? Explain your response.

Nell and Paolo discuss how Italian flavors are different from British flavors. How did the cuisines in these regions develop, and what accounts for their differences?

Gwendoline had a very different relationship with her mother than Nell had with Mrs. Quince, her mother figure. How did each of these relationships shape them as people?

Throughout the Stricklands’ relationship, Sir Strickland became increasingly abusive toward Gwendoline. Why do you think she tolerated his actions for so long?

Mrs. Quince recounts the story of her first love, but she was bound by the conventions of her time and could not fulfill her desires. How did romance for women change between her youth and Nell’s? How did socioeconomic class shape, limit, or expand romantic opportunities for both women?

Ambrose and Zelda both have to hide parts of themselves in order to be successful. How have their struggles changed between the 1940s and today, and how have they stayed the same?