Navigating Pleasure, Billionaires, and Literary Feasts in the Climate Crisis

In C Pam Zhang's new novel, "Land of Milk and Honey," the protagonist, a chef, navigates a post-apocalyptic world where food scarcity and government-issued rations have replaced the pleasures of fine dining. The book explores the role of food as a tool for survival, examining its ability to bring joy, but also its potential for violence and manipulation. Zhang reflects on her own relationship with food, discussing the quest for authenticity, the importance of contrast in diet, and the acceptance of personal culinary preferences. The novel raises questions about who has access to pleasure in a world stripped of its familiar comforts.