The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater: Read Along Thread

[Dillidilly]

Here we go people!

I thought we could start reading the Introduction from October 15th at a gentle pace to allow people to join the thread. Then all set for Chapter 1 on November 1st.

The Christmas Chronicles is currently just over £20 on Amazon. Maybe people could share all the options for those who are just joining us, who still want to get a copy.

I'm hoping this thread will be a lovely, gentle, uplifting transition into the Christmas period where we can share our thoughts, recipe attempts and inspiration from Nigel x

Wow I can't find any cheaper secondhand copies of this anywhere - obviously mumsnet have bought the lot!

@Whatliesbeneath707

Hello everyone. I started the much anticipated introduction early yesterday morning. I crept downstairs and made myself a big cup of Earl Grey tea and a flask of coffee to follow and came back to bed to savour the quietness of the house, whilst reading those first paragraphs. How wonderful! His writing is just so magical. There were so many beautiful lines on that first page! “Winter feels like a renewal….” and he goes on to talk about the stifling heat of the summer. This really resonated with me as I struggle with the heat but do like crisp bright autumn/winter sunshine. I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone say how the coming of winter energises them - how wonderful to reframe an “unpopular season “ in this way. Like some of you have mentioned, my DH struggles to watch Nigel on TV. He finds him too earnest. He knew I was doing this read along & I was telling him how much I was looking forward to it. He was ribbing me about it. I sent him this quote in a text “Winter is as deadly as she is beautiful!” I got an eye roll as a response. 😆 I’m trying to ration myself to a few paragraphs a day, so that I can read something every morning before work. I find it very calming.

Perfect description! I'm a winter person (as may be guessed from my usernames) I live by the sea and would sooner stick needles in my eyes than go near it in summer, but the wind and the crashing waves in winter are pure energy.

I'm a bit behind but intend to read the intro this evening with a hot chocolate under a snuggly blanket. Can't wait!

Hi, can I join in? Just got my copy after 3 absolutely rotten nights with a sick toddler and in need of some cheering up.

@GlumyGloomer of course you can!
Hope your little one is on the mend x

Hi all
I've literally just joined mumsnet for this thread. I need a bit of festive cheering up. I was a member last year but got tired of all the covid related stressful crap on here.

I will be buying the Nigel book soon. I already have the river cottage book and advent book.

I love autumn/ winter even though it drives my sinuses crazy. Christmas will be hard this year. It's been a tough year and hopefully this thread will help to cheer me up a bit.

I said upthread I got DH to hide my copy in case of a failure in self-control.

He can't remember where he put it.

@FreezerBird I do that all the time!! .

I had a sneaky peek at the Advent book last night. Ohhhhh I want it. But I’m going to resist because I’ve already got my favourite book, A Scandinavian Christmas which will be in a similar vein. I’ll be cooking/baking out of it this year as usual and that’s actually plenty for me to be getting on with. But come 2022 I’ll be looking out for it and I’m sure I will splurge at some point!

"Mum, let me help you read your book"

I’ve just read the introduction with a coffee and mini stollen bites from Lidl . I enjoy his writing, not quite as much as Nigella, but they have the same flair.

I went to see Toast at the theatre a couple of years ago and Nigel was there at the performance.

I usually make my Christmas cake during October half term so I’ll take a look at his recipe.

I found a copy of Eat in a charity shop this morning, I will be browsing that later.

I've just read the intro. Agree that he writes beautifully. Very evocative. I've never read anything of his before and have struggled with his TV persona as it's very awkward imo although he seems like a nice person. I particularly like how he invokes all the senses in his enjoyment of winter. I think that's what makes his writing calming to read. Sort of mindful! If anyone follows him on IG, his house looks gorgeous too, like a Dutch painting!

It's arrived!

Made a special trip to Smiths to get a cheaper copy and was told that they had 9 copies, but then they couldn't find any of them! 😭😭 The quest continues...

Bought mine! Oooh I’m excited can I join?!

Just remembered to come back to the read along. It's tricky to read with 2 small children but having read the first few pages it is already getting me in the mood and I've been reading out choice parts to DH. So glad to have found this thrradbas I never would have bought a copy without it and he sums up my feelings about winter perfectly. Summer drains me but the first chill of autumn always perks me up .

@Margaritawithlime come one, come all!

@Nowisthemonthofmaying nooooo!!!

@Fredthefrog snap. I've not read an actual book since before dd2 was born. I'm reading it on the kindle app on my phone as I never get to sit down with a real book.
Started the introduction today. My winters have certainly been very different (only ever seen ankle deep snow), Nigel's seem quite magical by comparison.

Oh, and thanks for the thread, @Dillidilly, fab idea

I've just downloaded it on kindle unlimited to see if I'd like a proper copy as it were. I'm veggie so a lot of recipes wouldn't be of use but the introduction is so eloquent and beautifully written I'm hooked. I love winter too and he has echoed a lot of my thoughts.
The proper book will make a lovely gift.

So I just got myself all set up with a hot bath, a favourite candle and the introduction of Christmas Chronicles - been so looking forward to this after an epic week and a half with a sick baby. I got as far as the bit about what months count as winter and decided I want to leave it until the very end of October - I've been willing on the colder weather, mostly for really boring, logistical baby sleeping bag-related reasons, and all his talk of the seasons made me realise I should try and embrace the mild autumn weather a bit more while it's still here even if DD's sleeping bag hasn't been washed in weeks because the second one's at nursery and it's still too warm for 2.5 togs

But yes, while I'm here (and apologies for not having read the whole thread) - I think Nigel is kind of terrible on TV! It's all about the writing. Also, on the subject of pretentiousness (mentioned upthread I believe) I think his writing is still the best but it feels like the recipes are getting a bit less accessible with more obscure ingredients and weirder combos - anyone else? IMO the absolute classics in the Nigel canon were Appetite, Real Food and Kitchen Diaries 1 - such good food, often so simple and complexity/fancy ingredients only where warranted. The last of his books to come close to those was Tender, and I guess also this one - which I like to think says something about the importance of this season to him.

What are your favourites?

@Etherealhedgehog over 22 years ago I had a little minature paperback book called something like Nigel Slater's Quick Suppers. It was a free gift on the front of a woman's magazine. I can't for the life of me remember the name of the magazine (no longer published) but it often had quite good books as a free gift which is why I used to get it. Maybe it was She??
Anyway, we loved that little book of Nigel's supper recipes, but sadly it was in a box with all our other recipe books that got lost in a house move. The only one that made it to the new house was Delia's One Is Fun from my student days.

I wonder if anyone else had that little free gift book?

I have to say I like Nigel on TV. I like the way he speaks, and especially the considered way he handles and places food, with quiet deliberation.